Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
We start downstairs, and I take her through the living room, the kitchen, office, and spare guestroom. As we walk upstairs, I just point at my room, not wanting to stress her out, and then take her to the bedroom next to mine. “This is you. Or if you want another room, you can have it.”
She looks around the room, and I’m fast to tell her, “You can make any changes you want.” She keeps looking. “To any room in the house. I want you comfortable here, so you can redecorate or anything you want to do. This is your house, and you can do anything you want to it.”
I go over to the curtains and draw them back. The backyard is dark, but the moonlight makes the pool shimmer. “There’s a pool and a gym out back.”
She sighs, and I can’t help it, I have to look her in the face. Standing next to her, I tell her, “Look at me, Haven.”
She turns to look at me, and she looks lost. “Are you overwhelmed?”
When she doesn’t answer, I reach for her, putting my hands on her shoulders. She doesn’t flinch, but she doesn’t open to me like she has been. “Tell me, baby, are you okay?”
She shudders a breath. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
I hold my arms out and wait to see what she wants. I’d give anything to hold her but only if she wants to.
It’s only when she steps toward me and wraps her arms around my waist that I close my arms around her and hold her flush to my body. I know I fucked up, and that’s all I seem to do with her. The need to claim her as mine overshadowed what she wanted. “Do you regret it?”
I hold my breath, waiting for her to answer. What will I do if she says yes? The right thing to do is give her an annulment, but I know I won’t be able to do that. I can’t let her go. If she’ll give me time, I’ll show her how good we could be together.
“No,” she whispers against my throat.
My chest shudders, and I kiss the top of her head. “Okay… me either. I’m sorry I rushed you, but I’m not sorry that you’re mine.” I lean back and lift her chin so I can look her in the eye. “Take all the time you need.”
She nods, and I’m about to kiss her, but she buries her head against my chest. I hold on to her, knowing that I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she’s happy.
19
HAVEN
“Have a seat. I’m putting breakfast on the table. Want coffee, orange juice, or water?”
I walked into the kitchen after smelling coffee but wasn’t prepared to see King, shirtless, standing at the stove with a spatula in his hand and a smile on his face. I tug at the T-shirt I’m still wearing. The sweats were too hot to wear while sleeping, and I took them off, but now I’m kicking myself because I probably should have put them on before coming downstairs.
“Coffee, definitely coffee. But I can get it.”
He waves the spatula. “Sit… I’ll get it.”
I look down and tug at the hem of my shirt. “I should probably go put pants on. I’ll be right—”
Before I can finish, he says my name. “Haven.”
I look up at him, but he’s staring at my bare legs. “Stay,” he commands.
“But—”
I stop as he pours coffee into a mug. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black.”
He comes toward me and holds the cup out. “Stay. I’ve thought about your legs all night anyway. No need to cover them up.”
I take the mug from him and try to avoid staring at his bare chest. “Thank you.”
I walk toward the table and sit down, trying to get myself together. I barely slept last night. I know King was worried that I regretted getting married, but I don’t. I think I was shocked by how sudden it all was, but honestly, I’m glad to have it over with. I was never the person that dreamed of a big wedding or anything. Hell, I never even imagined my wedding because I never dreamed I’d be getting married. I always thought that was a faraway thing that would never happen for me. Plus, it’s not like I have any family that would come anyway. But now that I am married, I’m starting to dream about the future and what that could look like. I’m both excited and a little nervous.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I fixed eggs, bacon, toast, and oatmeal. I could make some French toast if you prefer.”
I look around at the platters of food. I usually eat yogurt or something light for breakfast, but this is exactly what I need this morning. I was too nervous last night to eat anything. “This is perfect. So you cook? I’m impressed.”