Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
The early morning sun slips through the tree’s leaves and casts a warm glow on his sharp features. His jet-black hair shines in a blue hue, and his eyes appear lighter like a summer cloud.
He looks hot as hell in black shorts and a tight white tee that sticks to his smooth muscles like a second skin.
“Are we talking about the hike or the way I fucked you while you were half asleep this morning?”
“Both.” I grin. “Your stamina is no joke. No idea how you could go several rounds and barely pant at the end of the hike.”
“It’s called exercise. Something you should do more of.”
“The only exercise I like is opening my legs in bed and being a princess while you do all the work. So I’ll leave the stamina workout thing to you. Please and thank you.”
He chuckles, the sound echoing around us with the sweetness of morning dew as he sits beside me. “So you’re not only a troublemaking brat, but also lazy?”
“Duh.” I lay my head on his lap, letting my feet dangle from the rock as I stare up at him. “I put a lot of mental effort into cello, so when I’m not doing that, I’d rather indulge in activities that require no effort whatsoever and preferably copious amounts of endorphins.”
“Hence the rom-coms, endless shopping, and pirate romance novels.”
“Not pirates. Bodice rippers.”
“Bodice what?”
“Rippers. You know because they rip bodices off their women? Hey! Sort of like you. They’re toxic, too. You should read them sometime and consider therapy.”
“No, thanks.”
“You’re no fun.” I pout. “They often end in pregnancies, you know. Romance novels, I mean. It’s not realistic since not everyone in love or who gets married in real life has kids or even wants them, but we read romance for escapism not realism, so everyone accepts the conventional wisdom that every happy couple needs little devils in their lives.”
“I see.”
“I see? That’s all you’re willing to offer?”
“What else do you want me to offer?”
“That mythical ‘we’ll talk about it later,’ maybe? How far away is later? A week? A month? Preferably a few days, which is now?”
He strokes my hair, his touch slow and gentle. “Didn’t we already discuss it the other time? The bit where we both recognize you’re not ready for children?”
“What if I’m never ready? Does that take the possibility of children off the table?”
“If need be.”
My chin trembles. “You’re the sixth generation of a wealthy and influential family. The only reason King Enterprises survives and thrives is because of successful heirs such as yourself. You’re telling me you don’t need one?”
“Not if it endangers you, no. I don’t need one.”
“Would Uncle Aiden agree? Your grandpa?”
“I’ll manage them. Besides, there’s always Creigh, Lan, Bran, and Glyn to keep the family registry going.”
“But what about you? Surely, you want a child of your own, and I want one, too, so we can do that even if I don’t get to raise him or her myself—”
“No.” The word leaves him in a deep, firm voice. “I will not have children at the expense of your health.”
“But you told Papa you’d give him grandchildren.”
“I was just messing with him. I wasn’t serious.” He pauses. “So that’s why you were triggered. You heard me and Dad talk about children and you started overthinking.”
“Why wouldn’t I? At that time, I realized you might go heirless because of me, and I don’t like being your weakness. I don’t like being anyone’s weakness.”
His fingers stroke my cheek. “You’re not.”
“That would be so sweet if I believed you,” I say with bitterness. “Just say you’ll consider it, please.”
“Only if you’re safe to be pregnant.”
“That’s good enough.” I grab onto his arm. “How did you know I want three children?”
“You mentioned it in your confession letter.”
My lips fall open. “W-w-what do you mean by confession letter?”
“The one you wrote to me about six years ago.”
“No…no way. I threw that away.”
“I found it.”
“And you read it?”
“Quite possibly.”
“Oh God…this is so embarrassing.” I hide my eyes with both hands. “Please tell me you only remember the three-children part?”
“Dear Eli.” He speaks in a nonchalant voice. “You’re probably wondering why I’m writing you this letter, but I had to put these feelings on paper and hope they’ll somehow reach you. You see, I’ve had a major crush on you for years, but you always treated me like a kid who’s not worth your time. It kind of hurt, but I understand that you’re six years older than me, and it’s both weird and creepy for you to like or even notice someone way younger than you. So I bided my time and waited for this moment to tell you how much I like you.
“Actually, I think I’m a little in love with you. Whenever I see you, I get these butterflies and feel like I’m in the presence of a god, and I want nothing more than to worship and spin in your orbit for eternity. All you have to do is treat me like your goddess and I promise I’ll stand by your side forever.