Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I make my way to the section that has romance hanging in big letters from the ceiling. If I know Winnie, this is where she’ll be. I spot her at the end of the aisle, book in one hand, reading the back. A mesh bag over her shoulder already holds a few books. Her other hand is nestled over her still flat belly.
My heart trips over in my chest. I knew the minute I first laid eyes on her that she was special. I wanted her then, but now it’s more than just want. It’s as if I need her to breathe. My eyes drop to her belly. I bet she has no idea she’s subconsciously protecting—cradling—our unborn child.
I step quietly down the aisle. She doesn’t look up from the book she’s pondering. Sliding my arms around her, I rest my hands over hers. Over our baby. “Marry me, Winnie.”
“Oh my, Javier, what would Harrison think?”
“Harrison thinks you’re pressing his buttons,” I growl, kissing her neck.
She turns in my arms, green eyes smiling up at me. “I love you, Harrison Drake. There is no doubt in that. I still think we need some time.”
“Time for what? We love each other. We’ve always loved each other. We shouldn’t even be having this conversation. The divorce never should have happened.”
“Just time. There have been a lot of changes, the divorce, the baby… all in a matter of a couple of months.”
“I’m not going to stop asking,” I promise her.
She nods. “I know. I just… want things to be settled a little more. Besides, I thought you were going to woo me.” She grins.
“Baby, I have the rest of my life to woo you.”
“Yeah?”
“Promise.” I kiss her softly on the lips.
She steps out of my hold, effectively breaking the kiss. “You have what you came for?”
“Other than that smile on your face, yes.” I point to my stack of books I set on top of the shelf before pulling her into my arms. “How about you?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for tonight,” Winnie says a few hours later. We’re sitting on the couch, her feet resting on my lap, a blanket thrown over her legs.
“I had a good time. I miss it… spending time with you.”
“You see me every day,” she reminds me.
“I do. It’s not the same. Tonight was different. It was time carved out just for us.”
“We used to do that all the time.”
“I’m sorry.” I’ve said it a million times and it never feels like enough.
“It’s in the past.”
“It’s not. Not really, unless you’ve changed your mind?”
“Changed my mind about what?”
“Marrying me.”
“Harrison.” She sighs.
“Winnie.”
She pulls her feet from my lap and the cover falls to the floor. I watch as she climbs to her knees and settles in close to me, resting her head on my shoulder. “I love you. That’s never been an issue.”
“What is the issue?”
“You’re here because I’m pregnant.”
“No. I’m here because you’re my wife. I was a fool to let you go. Even before I found out about the baby, I was planning how to get you back. I missed you,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
She sits up to look at me. She’s close, so close I would just have to lean in the slightest bit to have my lips on hers. “I just don’t want either of us to have any regrets.”
“Too late.” I cup her face in the palm of my hands. “I regret with every breath that I let you go.”
“Me too.” She leans in, her lips hovering over mine.
“Tell me not to kiss you right now.”
“No,” she whispers. “I can’t do that.”
I close the distance and press my lips to hers. She climbs onto my lap, straddling me. My hands find their way to her hips as she rocks back and forth. “Winnie,” I growl.
“Hmmm?” she asks, kissing me, sliding her tongue past my lips, all while rocking her center against my straining cock.
“I want you,” I mumble against her lips.
She pulls back, her green eyes dark with desire. “Then take me.”
I react immediately. “Hold on tight.” I stand, my hands clasping her thighs. Her legs wrap around my waist as I do so, and her arms lock around my neck. “Your room or mine?”
“Ours.”
Leave it to Winnie to pick a time like this to extend me yet another olive branch. I don’t know what she means by ours. Does that mean I get to lie next to her at night? Wake up with her in my arms in the morning? Was it just the heat of the moment? Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.
Entering the bedroom that we shared, the one she still sleeps in, I set her on the bed. “I need you naked. Now.”
She nods, pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it behind me. Next is her bra. “Harrison,” she says.