Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
“Not sure why you looked so forlorn when I walked in, but if it’s because of Si, I need to know now. She may not be my child, but I’m the only father figure she has, and our bond is super-glue tight.” I get that off my chest while my hand travels to her hip on its own volition, lifting up her sweater, wanting to feel her skin against my own.
Berkley’s breath hitches when our skin meets, scorching both of us in the best way possible. “That’s not it. I thought, well, I thought Melody was your girlfriend or wife, and yeah, I was not getting involved in any of your business or Melody’s that way. I’m not one for breaking girl code, you know?” Her body moves closer to mine, my hand squeezing her hip before my fingers slowly skate towards her lower back.
“I get it, completely. I’m trying not to gauge my eyes out at the thought of you thinking about me being anything other than a brother to Melody. Dear God, that’s just awful.” I step further into her body, wanting to feel us lined up again, thankful more than ever that Sienna has her nose stuck in a book, her usual if she’s not grocery shopping with me or cooking something up in the kitchen.
Berkley slaps my chest but doesn’t back away. I’m ninety percent sure she feels what’s happening between us. If not, I’ll make damn sure she does, and soon.
“You know what I mean though, and you have to admit Sienna looks a lot like you. She even has your eyelashes, which is not fair.” She rolls her eyes, throwing attitude.
“She does. Our gene pool runs strong, which is a good thing. By the way, I need to make you and the front office aware that if someone besides Melody or myself tries to pick her up, we need to know right away.” My tone is probably harsher than it should be, but the thought of that dick nugget trying to take Sienna will make me see nothing but fucking red.
“Oh crap, yeah, not a problem. I have Melody’s number on file, but I don’t think I have yours. The front office does, I’m sure, with you being on the pick-up list and all.”
“We’ll have to rectify that. Plus, I may want your number too. This Thursday, if you’re not busy, I’m taking you out,” I tell her.
“Oh, are you?” She’s got a gleam in her eye. Something makes me think Berkley will make me work for it.
“Yeah, I sure as hell am.” My eyes dart back to Sienna. She’s closing a book, which tells me our time alone is coming to an end.
“You better not keep me out too late. I’ll turn into a pumpkin.” She winks. Berkley pulls away. I mourn the loss of feeling her skin against mine, but I know it’s because Sienna is making her way towards us.
“Uncle Ry-Ry, I’m ready for a snack. No offense, Miss Jennings, but school lunch isn’t as good as what I usually pack.”
“No offense taken. I don’t care for it too much myself. Next time, if we realize it earlier on, we’ll call your mom or uncle. Deal?” Berkley stoops down so she’s on eye level with Sienna.
“Deal.” She shakes Berkley’s hand, then goes to grab her bag.
“Did Melody forget to pack her lunch?” I ask because that’s usually not the case. Sienna is that weird child who will eat anything, and if Melody gets busy with work, I’ll set aside her lunch the night before, and all she has to do is put it in Sienna’s bag.
“Nope, she said it was left in the car. I paid for her lunch, and we were on our merry way, but I’m sure it didn’t hold her over, what with her not eating all of her food like she surely normally does.”
“You’d be right about that. Do you have your phone handy?” I ask her, knowing damn sure I’ll be wanting to check in on her before our date in three more days.
“Yes, let me go grab it.” Berkley turns to head to her desk, where I’m assuming her phone must be, and I watch her ass the entire fucking way.
“Uncle Ry-Ry, I’m watching you,” Sienna whispers.
“I bet you are.” I wink at her. We both watch as Berkley comes back. We exchange phone numbers, with me making sure I call myself from her phone, not willing to leave this up to chance.
“I’ll be seeing you, Berkley,” I promise. Not being able to touch her one last time is damn near impossible. I won’t do that in front of Sienna though.
“Okay.” She walks us to her classroom door, letting us out, then it’s a date with my niece. But I damn sure won’t be forgetting the honey-blond-haired beauty with hazel eyes and lush fucking lips anytime soon.