Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26251 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
“I’m here to apologize, actually,” she says in a soft voice. “I’m sorry, Harris, about the way that I behaved. I judged you for having a son, and for keeping that knowledge from me, although like you said, I was only a child myself. Plus, you were going through a divorce, and I could see why you wouldn’t want that information to get out.”
I stare at the beautiful woman, hardly daring to breathe.
“You’re sorry? No, I’m the one who’s sorry, sweetheart. I should have known that you’re mature beyond your years. I should have trusted you with the knowledge, and it’s my fault that I didn’t.”
Mari nods, her brown eyes still a bit troubled.
“But I’m sorry abut the way I behaved, Harris. It was immature and it must have been really hurtful.”
I want more than anything to take the curvy girl in my arms, but I force myself to stay back. After all, maybe she’s going to say she’s sorry, and then leave. Maybe there’s no future for us, and the pain in my chest makes me hyperaware of that fact.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I rasp in a low voice. “No apologies necessary. I love you, Mari, and you never have to apologize to me.”
Hope alights in her eyes then, and to my surprise, tears tremble on her lashes.
“You love me?” Mari asks in a small voice. “Really, Harris?”
I can no longer resist, and stride forwards to pull her into my arms.
“Yes, I love you, Mari. Isn’t it obvious? I’ve adored you for ages now, and I didn’t act on it because of the nature of our relationship. But things have changed, haven’t they? You’ve grown up, and I never want you to feel sad or apologetic about anything. Not when it comes to us,” I rasp into her ear.
She lets out a small hiccup, her tears leaving dampness on my neck as she nuzzles closer.
“I’m so happy you said that, Harris, because I love you too,” she murmurs in a choked voice as her hands wrap around my waist. “I was so surprised to find out you had a child, and I guess I sort of flew off the handle at the news.”
“No, it’s okay,” I reassure her again, pressing a soft kiss to that plush pout. Her mouth opens beneath me, and I swipe my tongue along her teeth before kissing her again. “Anyone would freak out if they found out that their lover had a secret child, but it’s not a secret anymore. I want you to get to know Harmon and to become friends with my son … that is, if you’re interested.”
She merely tightens her arms around me while sniffling.
“I would love that, Harris,” she murmurs. “I think that’s a great idea.” Then she pulls back. “But what about us?” she asks in a tinny voice.
I stare into those big brown eyes, my heart overflowing with love for the curvy woman.
“What about us?” I ask in a low voice.
Mari’s brown eyes shimmer as she looks at me.
“Well, are we going to tell my mom about us?” she whispers, her breath warm and sweet on my cheek. “Or the whole world? Or should we keep things under wraps for now?”
I take a moment to consider because this is unexpected. Of course, I planned on revealing my relationship with my lovely stepdaughter to the world at some point. It just wasn’t going to be now. It was going to be a slow, gradual process lasting months, or even years. But it seems that the door has been blown off its hinges, and I smile down at the gorgeous girl before pressing my lips to hers again.
“I want to tell the world,” I rasp against her lips. “I want everyone to know how much I adore you, and that includes your mother, your friends, our neighbors, and the entire Concordia student body if it comes to that. I love you, Mari Cook. You’re mine now, and it’s time for everyone to know.”
The beautiful brunette melts against me then as our lips join in passion because this is the way things were meant to be. Yes, she started off as my stepdaughter. Yes, I seduced her (or we seduced each other) during a road trip on the way to college. But all’s well that ends well, and even though we don’t have everything figured out just yet, I know that we’ll find a way, just as we’ve already found a way around our most recent challenges.
EPILOGUE
Mari
“It’s so crazy that you dropped out of school,” Ali muses as she plays checkers with Harmon. The little boy doesn’t quite know what he’s doing, so actually, they’re just randomly jumping black and red pieces over one another. But I’m happy, and sigh with contentment, looking around the living room. After all, I’m taking a leave of absence from Concordia, and have moved back in with Harris. It’s wonderful. My man and I share the master bedroom now, and our days and nights are filled with love. Harmon comes to spend weekends with us, and it’s great actually. I see it as a preview of motherhood, and adore the little boy.