Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“Jesus Christ,” Peyton chuckled, scrubbing his hands over his face. “Well, um. I’d be stupid not to do the trial run, at least. Fuck it, right? We only live once. But I’ll still look into you online.”
Thank fuck.
I smiled. “Terrific. We’ll meet up for breakfast at my hotel tomorrow. I’m staying at our Pier 62 location, and I’ll make sure the staff knows you’re expected.” I nodded at his suit. “Consider that your dress code.”
“I’m not saying it was wrong, Edward,” Cathryn amended. “Just…bold. He could be anyone.”
“So can any guy with a resumé,” I pointed out.
“Well, that guy of yours is late now.”
I checked my watch. “He’ll be here.” I hoped.
Julia came running out from our bedroom with a scowl. “I’m hungwy.”
I pointed toward the dining area past the living room. “Room service was just delivered. Any chance I can get a hug this morning?”
“No!” She stalked between the two sofas and almost stumbled on the carpet. “Daddy, help meeee! Wait. No.”
I scratched my forehead and exchanged a look with Cathryn.
“Do you think something is wrong with her?” I felt bad for asking, but I couldn’t help but wonder.
“No, sir.” Cathryn’s gaze softened. “I think she’s just—”
Two firm knocks on the door cut our topic short, and I headed for the entryway.
It was a visibly winded Peyton, who was, if possible, even more gorgeous with his cheeks flushed.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, taking a breath. “I assumed we’d have breakfast in the restaurant.”
Ah. My fault for not having been clearer. “I should’ve been more specific. I apologize. Please come in, Peyton.” I opened the door wider and dropped my gaze while he trailed toward Cathryn. Goddamn. What an exquisite, tight, round little ass.
It’d been much too long since I’d gotten laid.
Peyton and Cathryn handled their introductions on their own, and then I swooped in to take him to Julia.
“Darling, come meet a new friend.” I found her on the other side of the dining table, trying to reach for the bowl of blueberries. “This is Peyton. He’s going to spend some time with us.”
She became shy in a heartbeat, though I knew it wouldn’t last very long. She wasn’t a shy girl. That said, I wasn’t complaining that it drove her into my embrace at the moment. She darted for me and lifted her arms.
“Hi, Julia.” Peyton smiled at her as I picked her up and positioned her on my hip. “That’s a cool dress.”
Julia shook her head and buried her face against my neck. “S’not cool, Daddy. Tell him.”
I sent Peyton an apologetic look before I took my seat at the head of the table. “He thinks it’s cool, and so do I.” I squeezed her to me, taking every chance I got, and kissed her hair. “What would you like to eat, darling?”
“But, ohhhh,” she whined and pushed me away. Then she scrambled off my lap and ran through the living room and into our bedroom again. I blew out a breath and fanned out a napkin across my lap. Fuck, it bothered me. It hurt. There was pressure on my chest, and I had to swallow hard. There had to be something I was doing wrong.
“So, that’s Julia.” I cleared my throat. My mood had soured instantly, and I avoided eye contact while I poured my coffee.
“I’ll go talk to her,” Cathryn started.
“Actually—may I?” Peyton asked. “If I’m going to be spending time with her, she might as well get to know me a bit.”
Cathryn hesitated and glanced at me for a final answer.
“Have at it,” I said tiredly. “She’s likely to scream until you go deaf.”
Peyton smirked wryly. “I’m immune. Just…let me have a go. Don’t barge in if she does start yelling. I’ll leave the door open, but—”
“We’ll wait here,” I assured. Then added, “We’ll just listen in, I should say. We won’t interrupt.”
He nodded in acknowledgment before making his way toward the bedroom.
I sipped my coffee and debated whether to go stand by the door right away or if I should give him a couple minutes. But I had to eat if I was going to last through four meetings before lunch.
“What is it about him?” Cathryn asked me. “If I interpreted you correctly, he doesn’t have any experience outside his own family. He’s not a professional.”
“Neither am I.” I grabbed a triangle of toast and opened a butter pat. “I’m not looking for the perfect way or a smothering Englishwoman who puts more effort into cleaning up your language than making sure you’re feeling all right.” That about summed up my own childhood. “Peyton is real. He’s young. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.”
Cathryn lost some tension in her shoulders and nodded once. “Okay. You know I’m on your side, sir.”
That was when Julia began screaming.
I was out of my seat at the same time as my heart jumped up in my throat, and we both made our way through the living room.