Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Knowing we’re about to part has dampened the mood a bit. We just hold each other and watch the gorgeous view as the yacht slowly returns to the pier. The stars are shining above our heads and there’s a cool breeze from being on the water.
Nolan sees me shiver, takes off his jacket, and puts it on my shoulders. I smile as I inhale his sexy rugged scent.
The moment I’m dreading arrives when the yacht comes to a stop. I hear the crew securing the boat to the pier and then the ramp gets lowered.
People slowly start exiting, but some linger, not willing to give up the free drinks and luxurious accommodations until they’re directly told by security to leave.
“I guess we should head out,” I say, reluctant to leave this spot. I know that Nolan is going to be starting the playoffs in a few days and if my past experience with my father holds true, he’s going to be very busy and very preoccupied. I might not even cross his mind.
“When can I see you again?” Nolan asks as he holds my wrist tightly.
“Dad says you guys are heading to New York for the first round of playoffs. When are you leaving?”
“Shit,” he says as he runs a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t even thinking about that. I leave tomorrow.”
I drop my eyes to the floor and bite my bottom lip. This is such bad timing.
“As soon as I get back,” he says, tilting my chin up until I’m looking into his eyes again. “I’ll take you out. Anywhere you want.”
“I just want to be with you,” I say as I step on my toes, going right for that sexy mouth.
A familiar sound hits my ears just as I’m about to kiss him—my father loudly clearing his throat.
I whip my head around and force out a smile when I see my father staring at us with steely eyes.
“Oh, hi Daddy!” I say as I step back from Nolan. He releases my hand and stands up straight.
“Hello, sir. Did you enjoy your night?”
Dad won’t even look at him. “Let’s go, Grace.”
He storms away with his body all tight. I look up at Nolan one last time and just because he’s so cute and I can’t help myself, I stand on my toes and quickly kiss the bottom of his chin before running after my dad.
I take one last look over my shoulder before I head inside.
Nolan is standing alone on the stern of the ship, watching me and looking crushed.
And looking hotter than ever.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Grace
“Why did you do that?” I ask my dad when we’re rolling down the highway. We haven’t said a word to each other this whole time.
He just stares out the windshield at the approaching white lines. “I told you I don’t want you dating a hockey player.”
“Why not, exactly?”
He sighs and twists his hands on the steering wheel. “You deserve better than what they have to offer.”
“You played hockey,” I say, throwing it out there. “And you treat mom like gold.”
“I wasn’t a playboy superstar with an ego bigger than the stadium I played in.”
“And Nolan is?”
He doesn’t answer.
I cross my arms and stare at him, waiting for something. He turns the radio on. I turn it off.
“Nolan is not like that.”
“How do you know?” he asks, rearing on me. “You’ve known him for ten minutes!”
“I can tell.”
He laughs. “Yeah? How?”
“Because he looks at me the way you look at Mom.”
He turns back to the road and huffs out a breath.
“I’ll always be your daughter,” I whisper. “But I’m not your baby girl anymore. I’m a woman. And I can make my own decisions.”
He turns the radio back on.
This time I leave it.
As soon as I get home, I run upstairs to check on my mom. She’s sound asleep in bed with the TV on. Jerry Maguire is playing and it’s at the best part when Tom Cruise crashes book club.
I take the remote control and turn it off.
“Hey!” Mom says, darting up. “I was watching that.”
I jump up and nearly scream. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“Why because my eyes are closed?” she says with a laugh. “If you’ll recall, they’re swollen shut.”
“Sorry,” I say as I turn it back on.
“Ah, forget it,” she says. “I’ve seen it a gazillion times and let’s be honest, that marriage is not going to last past the credits.”
“Mom,” I say with a laugh as I turn the TV off. “It’s a love story. Of course, it’s going to work out.”
“I’ve been waiting for you to get home,” she says as she sits up on the bed. “Tell me you have a love story for me.”
I grin as I sit beside her. “It was amazing!”
“Nolan?” she says with a big smile.
“Oh yeah,” I say, getting that dreamy feeling all over again just thinking about it. “He was better than I hoped.”