Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Ugly Beast got to his feet, dropped another kiss on their daughter’s cheek, and made his way toward her. They left the night light on for Bella as it helped her to sleep.
“Hey,” Abriana said. “I thought I might come and check on you, seeing as you had the last of the soup I made.”
She tried to contain her laughter as he just nodded his head, not looking her in the eye. He hadn’t eaten her soup. Or her baked goods.
The dentist apparently had advised him not to eat anything sweet. Her attempts at baking had also been a disaster. Even Harlow had been amazed that she could … completely destroy cookies, turn cupcakes into rocks, burn chocolate, and she had even destroyed a saucepan in her attempt to make caramel.
Cooking and baking were not for her, but she was going to keep on trying. Until she was good at it, she kept an endless drawer of takeout menus, and it also included neighbors’ numbers. She’d attempted to join in the potluck, and for her trouble, she’d upset most of the town’s stomach.
She truly believed everyone pitied Ugly Beast for being married to her. It wasn’t long before the slew of numbers and offers of meal prep, if not outright cooking was offered. She wasn’t hurt by their suggestions.
Abriana couldn’t cook.
There, she thought it, but she wouldn’t let Ugly Beast know. She was determined to get it right. Especially as she didn’t like the thought of other women being able to feed her man. Ugly Beast belonged to her. There was a lot in life she was willing to share, but never her husband. He belonged to her and so did his tastebuds.
“It was delicious,” Ugly Beast said.
And this was one of those reasons that she loved Ugly Beast with her whole heart. He tried to soften the blow. The poor man had eaten his fair share of disasters, and she wasn’t going to put him through more of the torture, although, it would have been a lot of fun to see.
“I ordered from the diner,” Abriana said. “Your favorite is waiting for you downstairs, and it is still warm.” She had learned not to even bother touching takeout. Who knew that you could destroy food that others cooked for you? She had.
Ugly Beast walked to her, cupped her face, and kissed her hard. “Have I told you I love you today?”
“Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it.”
She covered his hands with her own.
“Well, Abriana, I love you, so fucking much.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.” Ugly Beast dropped a kiss on her nose and made his way downstairs.
Something was bothering him, and she had to figure out what.
Ugly Beast went straight to the table, and she grabbed them both a couple of sodas from the fridge. Joining him at the table, she picked up a fry from her plate and took a bite. It was so good.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Abriana said. “You came home looking sad, and that is never a good sign.”
She had learned that Ugly Beast was an easy man to read, but he was also a difficult man to get to talk. He hated talking about the club with her, and only did it in rare circumstances. One of those instances was with Ava. She helped him to see sense that someone was messing with Ava, or Smokey, or the club. Abriana had known Ava had nothing to do with anyone. Fortunately, Abriana had been right, but it had been too late. The damage had already been done, and all they could do was handle the fallout.
Abriana had been there for Ava as much as she could.
“It’s club stuff, baby. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Does it have anything to do with the fact Raven sent me a text telling me she wouldn’t be able to make it to the party?” Abriana asked. She’d sent back a bunch of sad face emojis and promised to blow up Raven’s phone with all the party pictures.
Raven adored Bella, and she was so good with kids. One day she would make an amazing mother.
Ugly Beast took a bite of his burger, but he was staring straight ahead. Whatever was bothering him had to do with Raven, she was sure of it.
Reaching out, she put her hand within his, offering him the comfort he needed. When the time was right, he’d tell her, and she’d be here, supporting him. Like always.
Chapter Nine
Raven shook her head as she looked at the dress. “You want me to wear that?”
“Yes.”
“Nah, not happening.” Raven folded her arms across her chest. She’d been living with him, sleeping in his bed for two days. Today was Bella’s birthday party, and she was going to miss it. She couldn’t help but keep checking her phone to see if Abriana had texted her. So far, nothing.