Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
We sat down to eat, and I listened as he described their week away, feeling sad that he’d be gone. My hormones felt like they were taking me over right now, and I had trouble controlling them. Not only would I miss him being with me, but I’d miss the way he made me feel at night. I loved the way he fed into my increasing desires and sent me off to sleep in pure exhaustion. Without him, I’d be all alone unless Tori stayed with me. She wasn’t the same as Ryder.
“Love? Are you okay?” Ryder asked as I blinked, coming back to reality.
“Yeah. I’m missing you already.”
His face fell, and he took a long drink of his water. “I hate that I have to leave you.” His words were low and solemn.
“It’s your job. I signed up for this, Ryder. Thanks to you, I have so many people helping me do all of this.” I forced a smile to my face and leaned forward to stroke his face. “It’s fine. My hormones are all off-kilter lately. I cry at everything.”
“I’ve noticed, and I hate it. I never want to be the reason you cry.” Ryder looked like I wrecked him, and I rushed over to hug him.
“You don’t. I react too much to everything.” I kissed his face, and Ryder breathed in deeply. “Ryder, I don’t want to make you feel bad. It’s okay that you need to leave for work. I have so many people who are here for me now because of you.”
“I know, love. I wanted it that way. I miss you every time I’m gone.” Ryder kissed me, and I smiled. “Is there anything else the hormones require?”
“I can think of a few things.”
I woke up in the morning and heard the TV on in the living room. Ryder must have gotten up early, and I reached for my phone to peer at the clock. It was ten to nine, and I yawned, thinking of the stuff I had to work on today. I had a few paintings to wrap up at my old place, but I also knew that Ryder was leaving tomorrow. I smelled coffee and smiled at the fact that I wanted it now. I rose slowly and used the bathroom before pulling a robe around my body. It was getting cold and I was looking forward to the snow falling.
Ryder was drinking coffee and chatting on the phone, and I made my way around him to pour a cup of the decaf he made for me in a smaller pot. I added some cream once I used the fancy machine to froth it and turned to look at my boyfriend. He was eyeing me, and I grinned as he told the person on the other end he’d call later, ending it with an endearment I knew he only used with his mom. “I want to tell her about the baby.”
“I know. I want you to, and we’re in the safe zone.” I walked over to him after a long sip of coffee and set it down. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly. “I also want to meet her and your dad and your sister. We skipped a few steps.” I giggled, and he pulled me closer.
“I have a tight schedule, but we can have them here for Christmas. If that works for you.”
“I… I’d like that.” I knew that he was close to the rest of his family. The condo did have room for guests, though I’d have to clean.
“Elyse, I’d like you to look at houses while I’m away. Find a few to look at once I get back, and we might be able to be in by New Year’s,” Ryder urged as I stared at him.
“You want me to house hunt?”
He nodded.
“What do you want in your house?” I asked.
“I think I’d like a lot of square footage with room to grow. Let’s think four bedrooms and as many bathrooms, since family will be visiting, and we’ll need a nursery.”
I blushed at the words.
“The way I see it, why stop at one?”
“Ryder, let’s get through this baby.” I smiled and gazed into his eyes, and he nodded before kissing me again.
We made some breakfast and ate on the couch, sipping more coffee. I knew he was going to the gym with his friends, and headed to my studio, parking on the road as a delivery truck blocked my driveway. I got out and smiled when I heard a familiar voice.
“Perry, how are you?” I asked, turning to smile at him.
“I’m good, sweetheart. Sorry, I’m just getting a new freezer delivered and they can’t manage my driveway. They’ll only be blocking it for a few minutes. I miss your face around here.” He walked up to hug me. “How is everything going?”