Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I just hope that she knows she’s safe now. As long as she’s with me, no one will ever harm her again. Hell, I’ll do worse than take out a knee next time. I’ll physically smash their head in, not to mention beating their brains into a pulp. My hands flex and clench as I snarl under my breath. No one hurts my girl, and that is my vow.
But now, we’re safe and she leans against me, letting my warmth seep into her form.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” I murmur against her hair. “I know it’s been a rough night and you’re probably exhausted right now. Do you want to go up to bed? You don’t have to sleep in the master bedroom with me if you don’t want. I have plenty of space, and a very comfortable guest room too.”
Janelle turns to look at me and my heart throbs painfully in my chest as she blinks a few times, tears pooling in her eyes. She’s so beautiful that it breaks my heart, but she nods.
“Yes, I’m okay,” she whispers before taking a long, shuddering breath. “I just can’t believe today has unfolded like this.”
I hum while running a big hand down her back.
“I know. Me too,” I say.
Then, I take a deep breath and turn to the sweet girl, summoning my courage. I take her small hand in my big one, and look into those deep brown eyes.
“Sweetheart, I was serious about what I told Addy earlier today.”
She cocks her head to the side.
“Which part?” she smiles. “The gunshots? Vinnie’s role in this? OMG, we have to tell Four Eyes what’s happened.”
I shake my head.
“No, not about that stuff. It’s important, but this is more important. About us, I mean. What happens between you and me.”
“Oh,” she murmurs, nodding slowly. “Right.”
My heart begins speeding and to my chagrin, I can’t seem to calm it down.
“I really do want to be with you, baby. This wasn’t a flash in the pan, or a lost weekend or anything like that. I don’t know how you feel, but to me, we have crazy chemistry. You turn me on so much, sweetheart, with your curvy body and sassy ways, and I meant it when I told my daughter that I want us to date for real. Seriously. Long-term. If you’re interested,” I finish lamely, my voice trailing away. Holy fuck. I wanted to sound very alpha and confident, but instead, I just sound like a fumbling schoolboy. Who would have thought? I could kick myself with embarrassment.
But Janelle merely smiles and inclines her head.
“I know, Kurt, because I feel the same way about you too. We have an incredible connection and I want to see where this goes too.”
I stare at her.
“Really? It’s not just the shock talking?”
She shakes her head slowly.
“No. I mean, I’m shocked with what happened, but I think we both are. Yet it’s more than that. We get along, you and I, and I agree there’s a chemistry between us that’s undeniable.” She shoots me a lopsided smile then. “So does that mean I can call you my boyfriend, Mr. Crenshaw? Or is it too early for that?”
After a few moments of stunned silence, I pull Janelle’s sassy curves into my lap and seize her mouth for a deep kiss.
“You can call me anything you want, sweetheart. I’m at your service, and you’ve made me so incredibly happy,” I growl.
She smiles at me with a glow in her eyes while pushing a lock of my black hair away from my forehead.
“You’ve made me happy too, Kurt,” she murmurs. “And I love you.”
Those three words take my breath away because the fact is that my heart was bursting with those very same words, but I was afraid to throw them on the young woman during this trying time. After all, we’ve only known each other for two days, and I didn’t want to freak her out, or even worse, scare her off. But they mirror my sentiments exactly, and I pull Janelle close once more before seizing her lips with my own.
“I love you too,” I whisper against her mouth when we finally break away. “So much, baby girl. And now, I’m going to show you just how much I adore you in the comfort of my bedroom.”
With that, I swing her into my arms bridal style as she squeals, beating at my chest with her small fists. But it’s too late because with a few giant strides, I’m already upstairs and tossing the curvy girl onto my bed for more fun and games. After all, Janelle Fort came to me in the most unexpected of ways, and I take nothing for granted. I’m a man who appreciates each and every day, and now, I want to show Janelle how much I adore and appreciate her. As a result, I move forward, my blue eyes glowing as my lovely girl giggles and bounces on the mattress. It’s time to get started re-consummating our union, and I already have a few ideas how.