Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Hank’s jaw drops as it registers what was happening.
Still holding Holly close, I lean in before closing the cab door with my foot.
“I mean it, Hank. A real job with real pay and really nice cars to play with all day. Think it over,” I tell him, not even looking back as I greet our doorman, letting him know Holly’s fine.
“Just tired,” I tell him.
“Just tired.”
I murmur the same thing to myself once I’ve undressed her and slipped into bed beside her.
Her body turns in her sleep to reach for mine. Both of us instantly slipping into a dream-filled sleep.
Dreams of a country house with kids and a big, clumsy dog.
The dreams I used to have when I was a kid, longing for the one thing I know Holly and I thought we’d never have.
A real family.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Holly
The less-than-warm bed without Steve in it brings me out of a deep sleep. I wake, clutching my belly, and not because of all the Mexican food we had last night.
I feel a slight smile play across my lips, somehow just knowing that my Christmas wish has already come true.
Like a lot of things, a girl just knows. But I decide to keep it under wraps for now, just to be sure before I tell Steve.
True to form, he’s been up since the early hours, and I groan when I check my phone, seeing it’s already past ten.
Something I rarely do is sleep in, but the pleasant ache between my legs and in my body when I stand tells me that I needed some rest after having Steve balls deep inside me three times in one day.
The thought makes me sigh with something new to me.
Happiness.
I’ve never woken up or gone to sleep so happy in my whole life as the past few days, even though it was a rocky start.
I can hear Steve’s deep voice in business mode, barking orders, but it’s not just over the phone. I can hear movement and other voices coming from downstairs.
Making sure I’m decent before heading down, I’m astonished to see the transformation of Steve’s living space.
There’s a huge, living Christmas tree by the gas-powered open fireplace, piled high with brightly wrapped gifts and decorated like something straight out of a movie.
His huge penthouse apartment keeps the massive tree in proportion, but I have no idea how anyone could get such a massive tree in here and so quietly.
I pause halfway down the stairs, listening and watching as Steve instructs Madison, who’s obviously arranged everything to his wishes, about what he wants done next.
Steve senses me close by, and looking up with a smile, he lowers his voice, guiding Madison to the window and making imperative gestures with his hands as he explains something.
I’m no lip reader, but neither Madison nor Steve have a voice that doesn’t carry.
I’m sure I hear the word diamonds a few times, but I still haven’t had coffee yet.
The real reason I’ve come down is to see exactly what Steve’s up to today.
The pang of not feeling like I have anything to contribute shivers through me until I remember.
My hand strays to my belly, making me smile, a smile I know I’ve never had as I almost gasp, descending the stairs, moving closer to the tree and all the decorations.
A few staff are just finishing up, greeting me with a formal “Good morning, Ms. Winters” before they scuttle out.
It would usually make me cringe or feel uneasy, but I actually like it.
The staff sound genuine, helping me with some coffee before they disappear completely and wishing me a merry Christmas.
I know better than to interrupt Steve when he’s in business mode, but he shoots me just enough intense looks to tell me that he’s more than happy to see me and even keener for us to be alone, which is why he’s worked so hard since early this morning.
Finally, he’s done with Madison, and I again overhear words like Diamond and Hank Rutherford, plus a bunch of other stuff that doesn’t make sense to me, so I just sip my coffee and take in the view.
The perfect view of my man near the most gorgeous Christmas tree I’ve ever seen, with the whole city blanketed in white snow beyond.
I’d usually pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, but something tells me this dream life of ours is only getting started.
Madison finally takes his leave after making copious notes in his legal pad, crimping a smile at me as he passes, holding his notes close to his chest.
Like he’s got the secrets of the universe mapped out, and nobody else can see but him.
Steve joins me for coffee and brings over the pot and a plate of Danishes to the table, and he asks how I slept.
“You should’ve woken me,” I pretend to scold him, telling him I never sleep in. Needing him to know I’m no slouch as a housemate or a bunk buddy.