Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“No,” she shakes her head, “I really don’t.”
I look at her for just a second, assessing the situation. After all, sometimes young women think they know what they want, even when they don’t.
But Lori looks back at me with clear brown eyes, and I can feel myself capitulating. After all, she’s a smart girl, and obviously intelligent and articulate.
“Okay,” I growl. “I’m happy to hear that. But let me ask you another question.”
“I’m all ears,” Lori smiles while propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands, playful all of a sudden. “What is it?”
I wink at her. “Would you sleep with me even if I wasn’t paying your tuition?”
She pretends to think for a while, squinting her eyes while pursing her lips.
“Hmmm,” she murmurs as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest again. But then she smiles and giggles while squeezing my hand. “Absolutely, Mr. Minor,” she laughs. “It was amazing that last time, and if anything, I just want to do it again.”
Relief washes through my frame because I had no idea how much was riding on her reply. But now we’re in the clear and I pull her towards me for a kiss, uncaring that we’re in a crowded café. After all, this is the woman that I want, and maybe our beginnings were a little odd, but now that we’ve cleared things up, I’m more than ready to see where things go.
5
Lori
A week later.
I stretch out across the huge, comfortable couch. I swear, the piece of furniture spans the width of the theater room, which is impressive in and of itself for even existing. But yeah, this space is three times as big as my parent’s living room, and this private theater is in addition to the formal living room upstairs. Caleb wasn’t joking when he said his consulting business has done well, and this home proves it because it’s a mansion complete with an infinity pool and sculpted gardens. Yet, somehow it still manages to feel warm and welcoming, and I love spending time here.
I pop a handful of buttery popcorn into my mouth and smile at Caleb, who’s got my feet in his lap. He winks in return as his six-year-old son, Weston, comes sprinting into the room, a huge smile spread across his freckled face.
“Okay I finally picked a movie!” he cries.
“What did you decide on, kiddo?” Caleb asks him, rubbing his son’s head of dark hair affectionately.
“It’s a surprise!” Weston giggles and dashes over to the DVD player. “You’ll see!”
“Now we’re in trouble,” Caleb says in a low voice with a laugh. “I hope it doesn’t have too many singing princesses. Or singing underwater sponges, come to think of it.”
I grin.
“Are you referring to SpongeBob? Because I actually like him,” I giggle. “But I enjoy all kinds of movies, and I’m sure Weston chose the best one.”
“Yeah! I did!” Weston turns around and gives me his best grin. His front tooth is missing, and it only makes the kid even more adorable. He’s the spitting image of his father, albeit in child form. Their hair is the same ebony shade that seems to absorb light, and he’s got crystal clear blue eyes that make my heart contract.
As soon as the DVD’s in, Weston runs back over to the couch and snuggles in between Caleb and me. Ever the doting father, Caleb wraps a warm blanket around his young son and then loops a strong arm around our backs, cuddling us both close.
It’s a charming image – father, son, and… girlfriend? Maybe?
At this point, I’m not exactly sure what Caleb and I are to each other, but I do know for sure that I’m falling hard for the man. Of course, I only met him two weeks ago, but somehow, things went from zero to sixty immediately. After Homecoming Weekend, we began spending a lot of time together and this actually isn’t the first time I’ve come to his house.
“You’re really pretty, Lori,” Weston says in an adorable childlike lisp. His blue eyes are so sincere as he looks up at me, and my heart turns over.
“Wow, that’s sweet, thank you,” I say in a gentle tone while stroking his black locks. “You’re pretty handsome yourself, buster. Has anyone told you you resemble your dad?”
Weston cocks his head at his father for a moment, and then nods.
“Yeah, people say that all the time. Daddy’s okay looking, so I guess I don’t mind looking like him.”
Caleb lets out a roaring laugh. “Thanks, kid,” he says with mock hurt. Then, he turns his attention to me, his eyes roving over my generous curves. “But I agree with you son. Lori is very beautiful, isn’t she?”
Immediately, I grow hot with need. After all, this man shows me just how beautiful I am every night, and sometimes in the mornings too.