Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Shoving away my need, I guided her to the stairs and up to the next floor. The landing at the top was open to the floor below, separated by a black wrought-iron banister. To the right were the doors to Cassidy’s and Daisy’s bedrooms, as well as two other guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. To the left was my office, and the master suite, with a guest suite between.
I’d handed the decorating of my home over to my sisters and mother, but I hadn’t been happy about them setting up a guest bedroom right next to mine. Rather than argue, I simply hadn’t used it. Now, I was sending them silent accolades for their unknown help in keeping Ava.
I opened the door to the room and let her walk in first. Ava’s mouth opened, her eyes growing wide, as she turned in a circle, taking everything in. The walls were mint green and decorated with art in cream, distressed wood frames. The large oval mirror above the bed matched the style as well. There were two floor-to-ceiling windows on the wall opposite of us, both with long cream drapes that fell to the soft carpet in the same color. A comforter set in green and cream tones adorned the bed with a bunch of pillows set against a cream, tufted headboard. A wrought-iron chandelier was hung over the bed and the rest of the light would come from the matching sconces on the walls. There was a small area near the windows set up as a little reading nook with a green chair and iron end table. On the wall opposite the bed was a door that led to an en suite bathroom.
“This is so beautiful,” she breathed. “I’m afraid to touch anything and mess it up.”
I laughed and meandered over to stand at her side, taking a deep inhale of her citrusy scent. “Don’t sweat it. I may have given them an unlimited budget, but my sisters and mom are penny pinchers.” I shrugged and set her bag on the chaise at the foot of the bed. “Besides, if you were to break something, it would just give them an excuse to redo the whole room.”
Ava chuckled but didn’t look convinced. I prowled back over to her and took up a good deal of her personal space since I was unable to help myself. Rather than kiss her like I wanted, I glided the tip of one finger along her jaw and murmured, “Make yourself at home, baby.” But don’t get too used to it, I thought. I’d be moving her into the master suite as soon as possible.
It looked as though she’d stopped breathing, so I took a step back, pressing my lips together to keep from smirking. “I’m going to get started on dinner. Come down and join us whenever you’re ready.”
“Um…Roan?”
I’d started to walk away, so I paused and turned back to her. “Hmmm?”
“How do I get back to the kitchen?”
She blushed, a little sheepish and completely adorable. But I didn’t want to further embarrass her, so I just gave her a gentle smile.
“Follow the entry hallway all the way to the back of the house, then turn left.”
She nodded, and I told my feet to get moving again, but instead, they stayed planted on the ground while Ava and I stared at each other. I wondered if she felt this intense attraction as acutely as I did? I was quickly becoming obsessed with her, and I had a feeling it was only going to get stronger.
“Don’t be too long, baby,” I rasped before forcing myself to leave and head back downstairs.
I gathered up the munchkins and settled Cassidy at the bar with a coloring book. Then I changed Daisy’s diaper before strapping her into her high chair with a couple of toys.
Ava entered just as I was setting Cassidy’s mac and cheese in the microwave. Her eyebrows popped up when she saw the packaging. “Microwaveable? I expected a chef to make her homemade, or at least the stuff from a box,” she teased, her blue eyes twinkling. I loved that she’d lost some of her awkwardness, becoming a little more comfortable with me.
Shrugging, I pushed the time button, then faced her and leaned my hip on the counter. “She won’t eat any other kind besides these little bowls. And believe me, I’ve tried everything to fool her.”
Ava laughed, and I couldn’t help smiling at the beautiful sound.
“Are you okay with Chinese?” I queried as I opened a drawer and withdrew a take-out menu.
“I love it,” she answered.
“Great, tell me what you’d like, and I’ll put in an order.”
Once that was done, I returned the menu to its place and finished making Cassidy’s dinner. “Up to the table, Cass,” I told her as I helped her down from the stool at the island. Once she was in her booster chair, I added peas and carrots to her mac, which she wrinkled her nose at when I set the bowl in front of her.