Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
I chuckle. “A make out under the bleachers kind of guy? Of course. Every red-blooded teenage boy was. An athlete? Hell no.” I shake my head. “In the house I grew up in, that was unacceptable. Football players were worthless jocks, according to my father. My brother and I started playing golf at four years old. My dad said that was where all the deals and connections were made.”
“Hmm.” She taps her finger on her chin. “I think I can get down with dating a golfer. I was stuck watching a golf game once, and those guys are kind of hot in their polo shirts and—”
Before she can finish her sentence, I lift her off the couch and over my shoulder, smacking her ass. “Don’t be making fun of golfers.”
“I’m not!” she shrieks through her laughter. “Now, put me down before—”
“Mom!” Violet yells, running back downstairs. “Are you okay?” Her face is serious, and it’s clear she’s worried about her mom, unaware that we were only joking around.
I immediately set Kira on her feet, and Violet runs into her arms.
“Don’t you hurt my mommy!” she yells, glaring at me.
“No, no, sweetie.” Kira hugs her daughter. “Ryder wasn’t hurting me, I promise.” She pulls back and looks into her daughter’s glassy eyes. “We were playing around. I only yelled because I was laughing so hard. Ryder would never hurt me.”
Violet nods in understanding despite not looking convinced. And I don’t blame her. Kira told me she witnessed that asshole talking to her like shit, and a few times, he even pushed her around. She got out as soon as she could, but even once they were out, Kira would have nightmares. Violet might be young, but she’s a smart girl, and she clearly saw and understood more than Kira was hoping she did.
“Hey,” I say to Violet, bending down so I’m at her level. “I love you and your mommy, and I would never do anything to hurt either of you. I promise.”
“Pinky swear?” she says cautiously, lifting her tiny finger.
“I pinky swear.” I hook mine into hers. “Now, how about I go wake up Addie before she sleeps too long and refuses to go to bed later and we go swimming?”
“Yes!”
“Go grab a snack,” Kira says. “And I’ll meet you by the back door. Don’t go out without us.”
“Okay!”
Violet runs off, and I exhale a deep breath. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she says. “I think I’m going to take her to see a therapist.”
“It can’t hurt,” I agree.
“We never finished discussing the Fourth of July picnic,” she says, wrapping an arm around my waist.
“You’re my girlfriend,” I tell her. “I’m not having you watch my daughter while I go out of town.”
“Ryder”—Kira laughs—“I’m still your nanny. That’s literally my job.”
“I don’t like that.” I pull her into my arms. “You’re more than that.”
“Well, I could drop the nanny label, but then you’d be pretty much paying me for sex.” She smirks. “I’m not sure a prostitute is a better label.”
I glare, and she cackles.
“Fine,” I say. “You’re still my nanny … for now. But once all this shit gets sorted, we’re going to be making some changes … starting with your last name.”
She swallows thickly, but doesn’t argue.
“Are you okay with going?”
“I am,” she says. “As long as I have you to make sure no one is mean to my little girl.”
“That’s not happening,” I promise. “Okay, I’ll reply that we’re going, but I’m telling him that I’m bringing along my girlfriend and her daughter, not my damn nanny.”
Before she can argue, I stalk out of the room and up the stairs to wake up Addie. Before I go in, I text my brother rather than emailing.
Hey, Addie and I will be there for the picnic. I’ll book a room soon. FYI, I’m also bringing my girlfriend and her daughter.
I expect him to throw a fit or at the very least ask a million questions, so I’m shocked when he replies with:
Eric
I’m glad you’re dating again. I look forward to meeting them and seeing my niece.
Well, that went easier than I thought it would. Now, I just have to make sure I keep my promise and make sure nobody, especially my family, does a single thing to hurt my girls.
I’m about to pocket my phone when another text comes through. I expect it to be from my brother, but instead, it’s from my dad.
Henry
I’m with Eric at a fundraiser. Why am I just finding out that you’re dating a single mom and bringing them to the company picnic?
Maybe because you have yet to even meet your granddaughter.
Henry
I would if you acted like you were part of this family instead of the Kingstons.
I’m not having this argument again.
My dad hates that I chose to work for Kingston Limited rather than our family company. You’d think instead of making accusations, he’d look at himself in the mirror.