Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
So maybe I haven’t always been very happy in my life. But I’ve made a lot of strides toward it. Getting my eating disorder under control, taking my medication, creating a fulfilling art career outside of the family farm. There’s always been something missing though and here I thought I was the only one who noticed. Guess my mama did too.
“I’m seeing someone,” I admit then I turn. My eyes automatically search for Peyton and when I spot her through the windowpanes on my glass door, my heart nearly stops. She’s so damn pretty. “We’re keeping it quiet right now.”
Mama chuckles when she sees who I’m staring at. “I’d always hoped.”
“I have to take it slow or she’s going to run from me.”
Truth is, she wouldn’t get far. She thinks when she disappears for a few days, she’s alone. But she’s not. I turn on that tracker and I follow her. Usually to the exact same hotel each time.
I park in the lot across from her room and stand guard. I don’t even understand why I do it. Only that something compels me to always have her in my sights, always be nearby should she ever need me.
She puts a hand on my arm. “Love requires you to be bold. To be brave. To reach for the things you want more than anything.”
Her words settle in my chest. How long have we been doing this dance? How many years have I secretly hoped she’d look at me one day and see more? I wasn’t ready all those years ago. I see that now. I still had a lot of my own stuff to work through but maybe it’s possible we could find our way to each other now.
But I have to tell her. I need to be honest with her before this goes any further. She has to know that I’m in love with her. That I have been for years.
The back door swings open and Micah and West join us on the porch. “Just letting you know we’re heading out.”
“Already?” Mama asks. “But I still have that new card game for us to try.”
“Another night,” Micah says. “I have a kidney stone and appendicitis.”
As soon as she moves to fuss over him and her back is to me, I shoot him the bird. I know this is payback. I teased him about Chloe when she first showed up for the nanny position. Still, his lame excuses and terrible acting get the party breaking up and that’s exactly what I wanted. Time alone with my girl.
The house is finally empty, but Peyton slipped outside. She’s chatting with Chloe and Cassie in the driveway. The soft sound of her laughter wraps around me, warming me.
While she socializes, I start a fire in the fireplace. I get it cleaned regularly but rarely use it. Peyton likes the fireplace and she’s always cold. Besides, it’s a good way to keep my hands busy.
“It’s cozy,” she says as the flames start to lick the logs.
I didn’t even hear her come back in the house and I quickly straighten. I face her, trying to decide how to start my little speech. The one that will convince her I love her completely and that she doesn’t have to run anymore. Shit, shouldn’t there be roses and candles? Should I have gotten a ring? It definitely feels like a ring moment.
But while I’m busy trying to think of what to say, she dives in and reaches for the button on my jeans. Her nimble fingers work it open, a wry grin lighting up her face. “It’s my turn.”
I should be a gentleman and stop her, but she plunges her hand into my pants. Then she’s touching my dick. She’s actually touching it and I risk a glance at her face, not sure what I’ll see. I’ve never done this with anyone, and can she tell that? Does she know by the way my body trembles when her fingers gently draw out my hard cock?
She’s frowning at it, and I recognize that expression. It’s the one she gets when she’s puzzling over something. She rubs her fingers through the precum from my already weeping shaft, letting it lubricate her hand.
“I haven’t. I’m new at this. All of it.” She gives me a slight squeeze.
I groan at her squeeze, at the sight of her fingers barely able to wrap around my cock. But most of all, I groan at the idea that she’s a virgin like me. She’s beautiful and smart and sexy, everything a guy could want. I thought for sure she’d probably gotten her rocks off with somebody in town.
She stops squeezing me and glances up, panic in her gaze.
“It felt good,” I explain. I don’t ever want her to stop. “And uh, for what it’s worth, fuck. That’s nice. Keep pumping it like that.”