Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
I could feel the sinister expression forming on my face, and he shrank back a few inches in his seat. “I don’t give a fuck about your election, senator. My priority is Keaton. She’s not a show horse you trot out whenever you think it’s the most beneficial. You’ll have to figure out another way to exploit your fatherhood.”
Norris sat rigid at my accusation, his face turning red and splotchy with anger.
“Look at it this way, at least she won’t get into mischief and damage your campaign.” With that, I spun around and headed for the door. “And by the way, I quit.”
“Why did she agree to a temporary marriage?”
I figured he would have a bigger reaction to my decision, so I wasn’t expecting that question. It made me pause in my retreat, and I twisted my head to look at him over my shoulder. “To get away from you,” I stated bluntly.
Norris’s face crumpled minutely. It was barely noticeable, but I was trained to see the details. I was somewhat appeased at his distress because it showed that he had at least some love for his daughter.
I reached for the door handle but was stopped once more.
“Hansen.”
I glanced back with exasperation and lifted an eyebrow in question.
“She has a very soft heart. Don’t break it.”
I stared at him, my expression hard. Then I simply nodded in acknowledgment and walked out.
A servant directed me to the kitchen, where I found Keaton sitting at a counter, eating ice cream straight from the carton. Her expression was pensive, and it was fucking adorable. I made note of the flavor, peanut butter chocolate, and filed it away. There were some things that could only be learned by spending time with someone.
“Ready to go, beautiful?” I asked as I came up behind her and slid my arms around her waist. She jerked in surprise and lost her grip on the spoon. I laughed as it clattered on the granite, spattering ice cream everywhere. She was a jumpy little thing.
“Geez. How can someone so huge be so quiet?” she grumped. I chuckled again and placed a kiss on her temple, then took the spoon to the sink and threw away the empty ice cream carton. She was cleaning up the mess with a paper towel when I turned around. I grabbed it and took over, gesturing for her to sit again.
“My father hates it when I do that.”
“Get ice cream all over the kitchen?” I joked. “Seemed like it added character to this sterile room.”
Keaton giggled and shook her head. “No, he hates when I do things like eat straight from the carton.” Her cheeks pinkened as she gave me a shy smile. “But, I swear, sometimes it just tastes better that way.”
With a grin, I tossed the dirty towels in the trash before coming around the counter to stand between her legs. I grasped her heated cheeks and kissed each one before brushing our lips together. “My wife, the rebel,” I mused with humor. “Sexy fuck-me heels and ice cream right out of the carton. What am I going to do with you?”
Her face burned red as she answered, “Um, I have some ideas.”
“From the way you’re blushing, beautiful, I think we might be on the same page.” I winked and stepped back, pulling her off of the stool. “Let’s go home.”
…
Several weeks later, the car rolled to a stop at the corner of 42nd and 6th Avenue.
“What are we doing at Bryant Park?” Keaton asked curiously.
Jack opened the door of the Escalade, and I hopped out before helping Keaton from the vehicle. I grinned and pointed to the grassy area where there were groups of people scattered about, some lounging on blankets, others relaxing in lawn chairs. All of them facing a giant projector screen.
“It’s Monday.”
Realization dawned on her face, and she lit up like the Broadway lights. “Movie Nights in Bryant Park.” She practically squealed as she clapped her hands and bounced on the balls of her feet. “My mom used to drag me and my dad to these all summer when I was little. That was before she died and my dad went into politics.” Some of the happiness in her face dimmed as she finished.
I dropped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into my side. “You mentioned it in an interview once. I thought maybe we could start the tradition up again.”
Keaton looked up at me with her brown eyes shining. “Thank you, Garret.”
“Anything for you, beautiful.” I smiled before giving her a passionate kiss. Jack’s muffled laughter broke through the haze of desire blanketing us and reminded me where we were, stopping me deepening it.
“Public indecency is a pretty hefty fine, Garret,” he jibed.
I threw him a dirty look as I released Keaton to grab the blankets from the back of the car. Then I laced our fingers together and led her to an empty spot. The movie wouldn’t start for about another hour, but the place filled up on cool summer evenings. Once we were situated, she stretched out on the blanket, and I pulled her feet into my lap.