Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“You didn’t know? We weren't trying or anything?”
“No, I didn’t know. As for trying, we never came out and said let's have a baby but we never took precautions either.”
“Do you think you want one now?” I can see the worry in her eyes. It gives me hope that she wants this. That she wants us to be real and for me to be in her life to take care of her and our baby.
“I damn well knew what I was doing each time I took you without protection. I told you I’m a jealous possessive asshole. You being pregnant with our child binds you to me for the rest of our lives.” I watch as her face flushes.
She lifts up the towel to check on my knuckles. “We should get something to make sure it doesn't get infected.”
“It’s fine.” I blow it off.
“No, I want to put something on it.”
I let out a laugh. “All right. If you want to take care of me, I’m sure as hell not going to stop you. I can have someone bring it up. I need to get you food too.”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“I’m still ordering you something. You went into the diner and didn't eat. You’re pregnant.”
“Okay,” she agrees. I lead her over to the sitting area, grabbing the phone on the way to call downstairs. I place the order and tell them to bring something for my hand before I end the call.
“You didn't ask what I wanted.” She doesn't look mad about it.
“Did I get it wrong? If there is a chicken marsala on a menu you’re getting it.”
“This is true.” She lets out a small giggle that helps calm me down. I found her. I need to focus on that right now. “It’s so strange. You know me better than I know myself. Will you tell me more?”
Honestly I’m not sure if I want to. Life hasn't always been easy for her. She was dealt some fucking shit parents that I wouldn’t mind her forgetting. They left emotional scars on her. I had to work my way past her walls and try to heal them. I wanted her to realize that every man wasn’t like her father.
I reach over, picking her up easily and putting her in my lap. She doesn't protest. In fact, she leans into me.
“Your father is a piece of shit.” Her eyes go round. “Your mom has problems too. The only thing that she thinks can fix them is at the bottom of a bottle of booze.”
“Do I have anyone?” She doesn't look upset but more curious. I suppose you can’t miss something if you don’t know it was even there to begin with. I hold her tighter.
“You have me.” She rests her head on my shoulder, her mouth brushing my neck. I hold her, listening to each one of her breaths. I finally allow myself to relax, reminding myself that she and the baby are safe and back in my arms.
“I want to know more. Why is my father terrible?” I give her what she wants. I always do.
“Your mother was his mistress. He had a whole other family. She knew this. She actually worked for them as a housekeeper. When they started hooking up, he made her quit and put her up in some apartment. Then things got too real when he found out she was pregnant.”
“Gosh. That’s all so horrible and sad.” I nod in agreement. “I’m nothing like them, am I?” She lifts her head.
“Far from it. I don’t know how you came out of that mess sweet as could be. Shy too. It took me over a month to get you to even kiss me. I kinda had to steal the first one.” I smirk at her.
“That I believe since you stole one in the bathroom.” She laughs. “Now tell me why a man as handsome as you would have to chase after me.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
She rolls her eyes. “You know you are.” Her fingers play with the button on my shirt absently.
“Your parents’ shit left marks on you. We come from two different worlds.”
She looks around the extravagant hotel suite. “Clearly.”
“You thought I’d be the same as your dad. I had to prove to you that I was all in and only wanted you. It didn’t help matters that you were a housekeeper at my family's estate. So much so you made us hide our relationship.” I tell her the truth. She’s already lost so much that I don’t want to hide anything from her.
“You let me do that?” She lifts an eyebrow, already understanding how I can be.
“For a little. I’d worked so hard to get you to even give me a chance. I wasn't going to spook you. I let it go on for a while. Until I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted to get married. Start our lives together. Get the hell away from my family. We have that in common. Mine is shit too.” With her, though, family could be everything to me.