Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Slowly we came back to earth. Her legs fell from my hips, and I slid off the mattress, pulling the high heels off her feet. I rubbed the arches tenderly, then grabbed a cloth and cleaned us both up.
We snuggled under the blankets, her body wrapping around mine. She loved to be held, and I enjoyed holding her. We shared some gentle kisses, soft passes of our mouths, light presses of lips on cheeks, foreheads, and noses. She feathered her fingers over my jawline, humming at the day-end stubble.
“You like that?” I asked.
“Hmm,” she replied. “Soft, yet prickly. Feels nice under my fingers.”
“I bet it would feel nice elsewhere later.”
She giggled, the sound airy in the dim room.
“We’ll have to see about that.”
I pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her head.
“Yes, we will.”
She hummed a soft little sound. “We get to do this every night soon.”
“Every night.”
“I get to wake up with you.”
“Yep.”
For a moment, we were quiet.
“I get to hear you snore and snort all the time.”
“I do not snore,” I protested.
“You do. And you snort and mumble. It’s highly entertaining at times. I might have to invest in ear plugs, though.”
In a second, I had her under me. “Take that back.”
Her eyes glinted at me in the low light.
“Or else…?” She trailed off.
I kissed the side of her neck, nipping at the skin.
“I’ll have to punish you.”
I burst out laughing as she suddenly lunged up, knocking me over. She scrambled out of bed.
“You’ll have to catch me first.”
Then she ran.
I grinned as I slid off the mattress. I was certain I was going to like this game.
I rolled my shoulders.
It was so on.
26
RICHARD
Dawn was breaking as I got out of bed, grabbing my running clothes and dressing in the en suite, not wanting to wake Katy. In the days following the meeting with Halton and my argument with Gracie, sleep was an elusive thing. It was bad enough I wasn’t sleeping much, but I hated disturbing Katy more than I was already. My restlessness was transferring to her, and the past few nights had been fraught with insomnia for both of us. She had finally sunk into a deep sleep about an hour ago, and I wanted her to rest.
Downstairs, I laced up my running shoes and slipped outside. I stood on the deck, breathing deeply. Surrounded by silence, I shut my eyes, letting the fresh morning air clear my head. I could hear the sound of the water as it lapped against the shore, and I blew out a long, cleansing sigh.
I stretched, then stepped off the deck and began to run. I set a good pace, my legs pumping a steady rhythm on the road as I headed toward the beach. The sun was rising as I got to the sand, and for a moment, I stood in place, watching the burst of color as the rays cast their brilliance across the water, lighting the sand and sky around it. I let the peacefulness of the moment sink into my tired mind, clearing it of all my worries.
I wasn’t surprised to hear footsteps approaching, and I didn’t have to turn my head to know who it was. Maddox appeared by my elbow, my best friend joining me in the early morning light, ready to run, to talk, to do whatever I needed. He had been there every morning the past few days, and although we rarely spoke much, I appreciated his silent company and support.
“Morning,” he murmured.
“Hey,” I replied.
“I swear we have the most glorious sunrises on the earth around here.”
I nodded. “Pretty spectacular.”
I felt his gaze on me. “You sleep at all last night?”
“A few hours.”
“Hmm. You and Grace still on the outs?”
“So it would appear. I saw her yesterday. She was extremely polite.” I snorted. “I fucking hated it.”
She had been coming out of the Hub as Katy and I were heading in. Kylie was in front of her, excited to see us, babbling and opening her arms to be lifted up. I bent and scooped her high, kissing her chubby cheek. Gracie watched us, silent and stiff. I set Kylie down and met Gracie’s eyes.
“Hey,” I said gently. She looked tired and wan. Not happy and glowing the way she had the week before when she’d told us she was pregnant. The guilt tore at me, knowing that it was because of me.
“Hello,” she responded.
Katy made an impatient noise and lifted Kylie into her arms.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
She tossed her hair. “Fine.”
I stepped closer. “I think we both know you’re lying, Gracie.”
Her eyes had narrowed. “Well, I guess I come by that honestly.” She plucked Kylie from Katy’s arms. “Come over later if you want, Mom. I have to go.”
She walked away, the pain of her anger slicing through me.