Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
“So if you have so much money, then why do you live in this apartment? Are you just slumming it? Is this a ruse?”
I shake my head but then nod slowly.
“I do own this place, so it is ‘mine,’ technically. But yes, you’re right. I actually have a much larger place elsewhere. This apartment is more of a bachelor pad that I keep because it’s convenient to the office.”
The beautiful woman still looks troubled and bites her lip again.
“Where’s your primary home then? Somewhere fancy like New York?” she asks.
I laugh and then grow serious.
“No, sweetheart. My first home is the Double R, the ranch we keep going to that’s owned by my friend “Kent.” Yes, Kent exists, but he’s actually the property manager. I own the Double R and it’s been mine ever since I bought it fifteen years ago. It’s the place where I go when I need to find peace, quiet and tranquility and I wanted you to see it because you’re special to me, sweetheart. I wanted you to fall in love with the Double R because I’ve fallen in love with you, and want us to make the ranch a home together.”
At that, Pepper’s eyes open with disbelief.
“The Double R?” she whispers. “Where Carver and Pattycake live?”
I smile gently then.
“And Big Black too. Remember him? I’ve never had the groom take him out to show you, but he’s there, roaming the back pastures and enjoying life.”
Pepper’s jaw drops open then.
“So you’re the man behind it all!”
I nod, still holding my breath.
“Afraid so, sweetheart. Keystone was one of the sponsors of the Corinthian Fair this year, and Big Black was there to be part of the celebration. I own him, and I own Carver, Pattycake and a number of other steeds as well, in addition to the ranch.”
“Holy cow,” she murmurs, eyes wide. “I had no idea.”
But then I get serious.
“I want to be with you, Pepper,” I say forcefully. “We get along great. Better than great, in fact, and I can see you at the ranch with me full time. If you want your own coffee shop, that’s fine too. I’ll buy you a business, help you start it up, or even fund the franchise you’ve been thinking about. But I need you, Pepper. I need to be with you, and that means hearing that you need to be with me too.”
The curvy girl’s eyes fill with tears then.
“I do need you,” she whispers, her cheeks wet. “More than you know, Travis.”
That’s my signal and I pull her into my arms, stroking soft curls from her forehead while gazing into those big brown eyes.
“I’m here for you,” I murmur. “Always.”
We kiss and the connection is intense. This woman is everything I’ve ever wanted and I came so close to losing her. Yet here we are now, with her voluptuous form pressed against me, pledging ourselves to one another. But then Pepper speaks again.
“Maybe I should clarify,” she sniffles. “It’s not just me who needs you. We need you, Travis.”
“We?” I ask. “You mean you and your parents? Or Coffee Perk 2? Or …?”
She lets out a laugh that sounds a bit like an embarrassed cough.
“No, “we” as in me and your child. You’re going to be a daddy, Travis. I just found out today.”
The words stun me. I thought I had all the surprises in my pocket, but clearly Pepper has some of her own.
“Our child?”
Pepper nods tearily. “Yes, Travis. I really just found out myself, and I want the baby.”
I immediately pull the curvy girl against me and breathe into her hair.
“Oh, sweetheart, that’s amazing. I love you so much and I can’t wait to have a child with you. This is the best gift ever and you’ve made me so happy.”
She blinks tearily, still a bit stunned herself. “Do you mean it?”
I nod.
“I never should have kept my true identity a secret from you but I was so afraid, and I’ve been burned so many times in the past. But now, it was stupid of me because you showed from the very beginning that you love me for who I am, and nothing else. And I love you too. I want you. This baby is going to have an amazing life with two parents who care about each other.”
Pepper sniffles. “I love you too, Travis. I just wasn’t sure…”
I kiss her hard. “You never have to be unsure again. I adore you more than words can say, and I will never let you go, Pepper. You are mine and I am yours, forever.”
We stay there in my bedroom, kissing and loving each other until our caresses start getting hot. Then, I break away with a groan.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart, but Keystone’s having a party tonight, and I want us both to go. I saw this as the perfect time to reveal our relationship to the world, but fuck. I’ve been so stupid. This is a bad idea, isn’t it? It would be better just to order pizza and stay in.”