Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Riley smiled, thinking of the night he’d unpacked the books he’d saved from childhood. “They sure can.”
“Maybe you’ll even have children one day and pass it down to them.”
Riley almost choked. First marriage and now children. “I… I don’t really think…”
“Well, you never know, dear.”
Riley supposed he didn’t. He certainly never would’ve dreamed he’d be shacking up with a millionaire businessman who used to be a client. But he was, and despite his doubts and fears, he was right where he wanted to be.
“Should I wrap it for you?” the bookseller asked.
“I’d like that. Thanks.”
Riley hurried home and succeeded in getting there before Thorne. He slipped the book into the guest room dresser drawer along with another surprise he’d gotten for Thorne. One he’d been saving for just the right time.
***
The next Saturday, the forecast was sunny and with temperatures in the upper sixties. Perfect boat-shopping weather, according to Thorne. Riley doubted he could put it off any longer, but he gave it a shot.
“Susan and I are getting together tomorrow to test recipes, but I’m worried we won’t have enough time for that and my schoolwork. I should try a few and work on school assignments today.”
Thorne shook his head. “You need fresh air and sunshine. For the last two weeks you’ve spent every minute of the day cooking or studying about cooking. No cooking today.”
“So you don’t want the waffles I’m making for breakfast?”
Thorne glanced at the waffle iron and the pot where Riley was stirring up a berry compote. “Waffles are an exception, but after breakfast I’m taking you out. I’ll get Molto Bella to pack us an antipasto picnic.”
“Thorne—”
“No protests. If I can give up the day for working, then so can you.”
“It’s not the same.”
“I—”
He glared at Thorne.
“Fine, I get it. I can just tell other people to do my work, and you can’t.”
At least Thorne could see that difference now, but he was right. A break would do Riley good even if he was nervous as fuck about the gala.
“I want to spend time with you,” Thorne said, “and I don’t feel like listening to your reasoning. I haven’t been an officious ass nearly enough lately. You’re in danger of forgetting the real me.”
Riley laughed. “Okay. We’ll shop and take in the sunshine. If the gala is a flop, it’s your fault.”
“It’s going to be amazing.”
“I really hope so. Susan is ready for the business to take off and get bigger, and I think I am too.”
“You know I’ll support your decision about school either way. I would support you more if—”
Riley laid his fingers against Thorne’s lips. “If I agree to spend the day with you, then you have to agree not to pressure me to take your money.”
“I’m buying you dinner. Can that be an exception?”
Riley had to focus back on the waffle iron to keep from laughing. Thorne simply didn’t know how to back down. “Apparently I’m also getting part-ownership in a boat.”
“I didn’t say I’d buy one today; I said I’d look.”
Riley snorted. “That’s like going to the animal shelter and saying you’re just going to look at the dogs. You’re coming home with a boat.”
“Do you want a dog?” Thorne asked.
“What? No. That wasn’t the point.”
“Oh.” Thorne sounded disappointed.
“I’m not necessarily opposed to a dog, but we’re gone all day so it wouldn’t get much attention.”
“I could hire someone to take it to the park in the middle of the day,” Thorne said.
“Let’s think about it, okay? Big? Small?”
Thorne considered for a few seconds. “Medium.”
“Maybe.”
“Boat first?”
Riley nodded. “Yes, boat first.”
***
Thorne glanced over at Riley. Damn he was hot. His feet were on the dash, and he’d laid the seat back. The sun glinted off his blond hair, and most importantly, he was smiling. After breakfast they’d stopped by Molto Bella to pick up their lunch, which smelled divine even after far too many waffles. Now they were on their way out of town toward one of the boat dealers Thorne had been scoping out.
Thorne had to resist the urge to pull the car off at the next exit and see if they could keep from getting arrested while fucking in the backseat.
One would think he wouldn’t still want Riley all the damn time after months of being together, but he did. Maybe he should have just made Riley agree to spend the whole day in bed.
“You’re thinking something dirty,” Riley said.
“How do you know?”
“You have this certain smile that says you’re up to something.”
“Ha. I’m thinking about sailboats.”
Riley raised a brow. “About fucking on sailboats.”
Of course he was. “I’d like to buy one large enough to make that possible.”
“I thought you wanted a small boat like the one we rented,” Riley said.
“I don’t want anything too big, but it can be a little larger than that one.”
“You should be sure you know what you want before—”