Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79145 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79145 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Sorry,” I apologize breathlessly, not knowing what else to say.
“Don’t apologize; that was hot. I just had to check myself,” he says, tucking some hair behind my ear then searching my face. “A friend of mine from the Navy is coming into town from California on Saturday and we’re having a party for him. I want you there with me,” he states, dragging his fingers through my hair, removing the knots he caused.
“I have to go to my dad’s birthday party Saturday, so I won’t be able to,” I say, tracing the tattoos that start at his shoulder and travel down to his wrist.
“That’s fine. We can go after his party,” he says, wrapping his hand around my neck to pull my face towards him.
I pull back and search his face then remind him, “My dad’s going to be there.”
“It’s his birthday, so I would expect him to be there.” He smiles, running a finger of his free hand down the center of my face.
“You want to meet my dad?” I whisper in shock. Everyone is afraid of my dad, and I have never had any guy, even just friends, willing to meet him.
“You’re mine. I can’t tell the future, but I don’t think that’s going to change, so I would like to meet him.”
“My dad is very protective.”
“I wouldn’t expect any man with all girls not to be,” he says softly, searching my face.
“Will you let me talk to him about us first?” I ask. I’m not sure if I’m ready for the only man I have ever loved to meet the man I’m falling in love with. This thing between Wes and me is still so new, and I don’t want anything to ruin it.
“I can do that,” he says gently.
“Thank you.” I smile, kissing him once more before my alarm goes off and we’re forced to get up.
Chapter 9
“Happy Birthday, Dad,” I say, walking up to where my dad is manning the barbeque.
“Thank you.” He smiles, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and kissing the side of my head. “Where have you been?”
“Oh, you know, working.” I shrug then cringe, willing myself to tell him about Wes.
“You need to take a break every once in awhile and come visit your old man.”
“Sorry,” I tell him, and he kisses my head again.
“Hey, honey.” My mom smiles then looks around, and I jerk my head side-to-side before she asks exactly what I know she’s going to.
“You didn’t bring a date?” she asks, and I take a breath and shake my head.
“You’re not dating, are you?” my dad asks.
“Do you need any help inside, Mom?” I ask ignoring my dad’s question. Not giving her a chance to answer, I take her elbow and lead her past the pool and into the house.
“Honey,” she laughs, looking at my dad, who is still in front of the grill, but his body is turned toward the house, “are you still seeing that nice guy Wes?”
“Mom, really?” I ask, going into the kitchen and pulling out platters from the fridge.
“What? I thought you would bring him, or that he would insist on coming today.”
“He wanted to, but I asked him to let me tell Dad about him first.”
“You didn’t tell your father about him, and right now, when you had the perfect opportunity to tell him, you pulled me away.”
“I know.” I cover my face in frustration.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, and I feel her hand on my back and uncover my face to look at her.
“I’m worried Dad won’t like him,” I whisper, and her face goes soft.
“Honey, what happens if he doesn’t like him?” she asks, searching my face.
“I don’t know,” I say, feeling my chest constrict.
“When I started dating your father, Grandpa was not exactly happy about it, but I knew your dad made me feel things I didn’t even think were possible, and I also knew my dad loved me enough to know I knew what I was doing.”
“I want Dad to like him,” I whisper.
“Then you need to give him a chance to get to know him.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready, if our relationship is ready.”
“My beautiful girl is falling in love,” she whispers, and I close my eyes, not wanting her to see how true that statement is. I’m falling in love with a guy I barely know.
“I think I just need a little more time,” I tell her, finally opening my eyes.
“Just don’t wait too long, honey.”
“Promise I won’t,” I say as my insides twist.
“He’s hot.” She smiles after a moment.
“What?!” I shriek, looking at her.
“He is, and that kiss he gave you when he walked into you house. “Very nice.”
“Shut up.”
“What? I’m old, but I’m not dead.” She smiles.
“You better not let Dad hear you say that,” I warn, and the smile slides off her face.
“Watch it, young lady,” she says, and I wrap my arms around her waist.