Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Come on. Let’s dry your hair so we can read Cinderella.” Aurora picked up the hair dryer she’d plugged in.
“The part about the prince!”
By the time she finished with Leah’s hair, then tucked her in, read her the requested part of the story, where Cinderella slips her foot into the glass slipper and lives happily ever after with the prince, gave her two sips of water because Leah was so thirsty, and she finally fell asleep, Aurora flung herself onto her bed, exhausted.
She must have dozed off because the ringing of her phone startled her awake and she reached over to see Nick was Facetiming her.
Drawing a deep breath, she sat up and took the call.
Chapter Four
After Nick left his sister’s, he drove to the hotel where he was staying. The Meridian NYC was a part of the group of hotels he and his siblings had bought from Robert Dare, an ostracized family member. They’d saved the business from bankruptcy and added to their holdings. Nick was responsible for checking out the hotels, travelling often, and putting out fires where necessary, while Jade was based in New York, where she took on the role of lead Event Coordinator. She oversaw events and budgeting for all the hotels, but she was hands on at the Meridian NYC.
Nick headed to a suite he co-opted for his visit and settled onto the bed, pulling out his phone. He didn’t know what time Leah went to bed but he’d give calling both his girls a shot. His stomach twisted in unfamiliar knots at the thought. Neither of them was his girl. Leah wouldn’t be his until she knew she could call him ‘daddy’. And Aurora? Hell if he knew what she was to him. But he needed to find out.
Calling her was a start and Facetime would let him see them both.
When Aurora answered, it was obvious she’d been asleep. Her hair fell across one cheek, and the other showed a sleep line on her fair skin. Though he felt bad for waking her, he couldn’t deny the intimacy inherent in seeing her with her guard down, almost as if they’d woken up together in bed. His dick hardened at the thought, something he’d have to take care of on his own. Though he’d use his own hand, it would be Aurora he envisioned gripping his cock and the sudden desire to reach through the screen and touch her was almost overwhelming.
“Nick?” She shifted positions and sat up, resting her back against the headboard and pillows.
“Hi.” He cleared his throat. “Is this a bad time?”
She shook her head, pushing several long strands away from her face. “No. It’s okay. I dozed off after Leah’s long bath and bedtime routine.”
“Tell me more.” He wanted to hear everything about his daughter.
Aurora laughed, the melodic sound not helping the desire for her already pulsing inside him. “She’s something else.” Her eyes lit up as she described Leah’s antics and he found himself laughing along with her.
Aurora grinned at him and their gazes locked and held. His breath caught and his heart pounded hard in his chest. Something passed between them, reminding him of the day he’d first laid eyes on her. It had been an indefinable connection—something he couldn’t put a name to—but he’d never felt it with anyone else. It had been a deep yearning that pulsed between them.
“Are you coming to Leah’s party? It’s in just over two weeks.” She broke the silence first. “I know she put you on the spot and you might have plans.”
He raised his eyebrows. Did she really think he’d miss it? “Even if I had something on my calendar, I’d reschedule. Don’t worry. I’ll be there. Which reminds me… what can I get her for a gift?” He didn’t know anything about five-year-old girls and though he could ask his mother… Shit. He hadn’t told his father and Serenity they had a grandchild yet.
He needed to call them before the family text chain handled it for him. If they’d heard already, they’d have called him by now.
“Well, Leah told her grandmother that she wants a pony.” Aurora’s eyeroll told him what she thought about that idea. “When I said no, she requested a puppy. I nixed that idea immediately, too.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and swiped her tongue over her lips.
Nick did his best not to groan, wishing it was him tasting that sensual mouth.
“I told her we were too busy to deal with any living being at the moment.” Aurora’s lips quirked in a smile. “As for you, anything from a toy store in her age bracket will work.”
“I want it to be something special.” He didn’t know when Aurora would agree to tell Leah about his place in her life but in the meantime, he intended to make an impression.