Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
“I was letting you sleep.”
“I don’t want to sleep when you’re leaving. I want to see you strut your stuff toward the door, look back, give me a wink, and then tell me how pretty you think I am.”
“That sounds like more than a goodbye.”
She grins, speeding up my heartbeats just from looking at her. “Is it so wrong not to want the weekend to end?”
I kiss her quickly, hoping I don’t start getting hard, though that may be asking the impossible since my dick is wide awake now. We fucked twice. Once in the kitchen on the island and then in bed. After that, we slowed it down and made love in the bathtub full of bubbles. The woman is insatiable. Thank God she found someone who feels the same about her.
When her smile falters, I sit on the edge of the mattress and push her hair back from her face. Naked. Not a stitch of makeup. Hair just messy enough to take credit for creating that havoc last night. But it’s her eyes and that smile, the way she looks at me like she’s still on vacation from life—gratified, recharged, like she’s not only ready to take me on but the whole fucking world. Liv is magnificent.
She’s irresistible. I return to steal another kiss from her because fuck it. What’s another minute at this point? She’s worth skipping a Monday morning workout for. “I want to see you and Max tonight. I want to see you both every night.”
“That’s quite the commitment. You sure you’re ready for that?” There’s no accusation in her tone. As she brushes her palm lightly over my cheek, genuine concern for my well-being is all that is heard.
“I was ready years ago. We lost so much time. I’m just catching up.”
“Lost years don’t matter, Noah. Only what we do with the time ahead.”
The physical attraction is there between us. No denying that. But it’s her, the woman who has fought for every spot she’s gotten, moved mountains to raise a child on her own and give him the best life possible, and her heart, how she’s opened it for me to walk in that door has me hoping I’m the one she was waiting for as well.
Running the back of my hand under her chin, I ask, “Are we doing this?”
“Are we deciding to be together? I am. How about you?”
“I’m in.” We kiss again before I try to push up.
Her arms don’t loosen. She knows how to make a guy feel good. Too good, which is about to cause an issue with me making it to work on time. “This is crazy, wild. We’re just doing this, acting on our feelings instead—”
“Instead of trying to rationalize our way out of it. Look, Liv, this weekend has been an extension of the night in the Hamptons. But it’s not only the sex that’s fantastic. It’s sitting watching TV or laughing over stories at dinner. Buying Max a toy or holding him while he sleeps on my chest. It’s seeing you loving our son, and then you allowing me to do the same. There’s a bunch of big unknowns, but I know for sure that I want to be with the two of you.”
“It’s a risk we’re taking, but I don’t want to lose another two years either.” She lifts to kiss me. “Let’s do this.”
“Let’s be together, all in.”
“All in. But I have a question.”
“Ask away.” I grin still staring down at her. “How is this going to work in the office?”
Her arms release me, and I sit up. “I need to think about it. Knowing what has really happened versus what I had been told. There’s a vast discrepancy in how I’m treated compared to how you’ve been treated. I’ve only witnessed the inner workings of Bancroft & Lowe for a week, and it’s not a place I see myself long term. But it’s you I’m concerned about. What are your thoughts?”
“I appreciate that, but I’ve been there eleven years. It’s aggravating but easy work that pays me decently. I can’t afford to walk out and definitely can’t afford to be fired. Dating a co-worker is a violation in the employee handbook.”
I stand. “I need to get going so I have time to shower and get dressed before I’m late. I think we carry on like we have been, and we’ll discuss it tonight.”
She nods. “Sounds like a plan.”
Kissing her once more, I walk to the door. “I sure like having plans with you, babe.”
Sitting up, she tilts her head, her long hair hanging around the bare skin of her shoulders, and her eyes set on mine. My breath halts in my chest just looking at her. I’m one lucky bastard. I say, “I . . .” The words come easy, but I stop them from being said. Too soon.