Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Besides, what I did to them is nothing compared to what they did to me! They ruined so many of my personal belongings which I can’t afford to replace, and not only that, but they’ve completely trashed my reputation too,” she continues. “They told everyone my business, and now a lot of people at school refer to me as ‘Santa’s Slut’ or even worse. So yeah, I hear the whispers and it takes everything, and I mean everything, to keep my head up high while people are sniggering about me behind their hands,” she says in a shaky voice.
I pause.
“Baby, why didn’t you say anything?” I ask in a low voice. “I had no idea it was this bad.”
Tears begin to gleam in my woman’s eyes.
“I don’t know, okay?” she says in a broken voice while looking away. “I guess it’s just that I didn’t want you to see me as some kind of pathetic and whiny little girl. You already think that I’m too young for you, so I didn’t want to prove you right by crying about another bout of mean-girl bullying. That’s the kind of thing a child would do, and I am not a child.”
I nod slowly.
“I know that, sweetheart, and I care about you so much. But I would have understood if you’d told me about this because this isn’t you being some ‘whiny little girl.’ This goes beyond whining. This was real shit, and it has nothing to do with your age. Morgan and Katrina deserved a response, and I’m sorry if I made you feel like you couldn’t tell me about this kind of thing.”
Cleo lets out a small sniffle again, wiping quickly at her eyes.
“No, it’s fine,” she says quickly. “I guess … well, I really want you to see me as a woman and not as some teenage nobody. Does that make sense?”
“Of course, and I do,” I smile. “I know that you’re all woman now. You’ve shown me that time and time again,” I say in a deep voice while looking into her eyes. “But the bigger issue is that I want you to know that I’m here for you, Cleo. You can come to me with any and all problems, sweetheart, and we’ll handle them together. No secrets, okay?”
She inhales on a shuddering sigh.
“So you’re not mad?”
“No, I’m not mad,” I rumble. “Those bitches deserved what they got, and I’m kind of glad you did what you did. But again, we’ll handle your problems together from here on out, deal?”
She shoots me a watery smile.
“Deal.”
“Good,” I growl, squeezing Cleo’s hand. “I’m your partner, sweetheart, and I love you and I want to support you in whatever way you need, okay?”
There’s a pregnant silence as the pretty brunette stares at me.
“You love me?” she asks in a trembling voice. I shoot her a disbelieving look.
“Yes, of course,” I growl. “I adore you, Cleo, because how could I not? Don’t you know just how crazy you make me feel? There’s no woman on this Earth that could compare to you and your delicious, saucy ways.”
The curvy girl begins to really cry then.
“OMG, I had no idea,” she sobs. “But I love you too, Brody!” she manages between hitched breaths. “I just didn’t know if you loved me, and so I didn’t want to say anything. Plus, I was afraid my problems were turning you off because they seem so childish and bizarre.”
I pull her into my embrace, cuddling that curvy form close.
“No, your problems aren’t childish at all, baby girl,” I soothe while stroking her back. “They’re the problems of any normal human being. It could happen to any woman.”
She lets out a shuddering sigh against my shoulder before pulling back.
“Well, I’m glad you see me as a woman because there’s actually something else.”
“What is it?” I question gently. “I don’t think you’re going to be able to surprise me now after what’s already happened.”
She shoots me another watery smile.
“Well,” she sniffles, pulling away from me. “First of all, I’m thinking about quitting school. Not really quitting, but at least going remote for most of my classes. That’s an option now because they’ve begun to videotape everything.”
I nod.
“Sure honey. I get it, but is there a particular reason why? Are kids still whispering about you?”
She nods.
“A little, but that’s not the main reason. The main reason is because well, I’ve been feeling a little nauseous lately, so I took a test a week ago, and Brody - I’m pregnant with your baby!”
I go still with shock as my heart races.
“Are you serious?” I ask in a low voice. “But we always use protection.”
“I know,” she smiles gently. “But you know that there’s no contraception that’s a hundred percent perfect, and besides, there were a few times when we went raw. So yes, I’m expecting your baby now, Mr. Tremont. You’re going to be a daddy.”