Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“I tried therapy, but it didn’t help. Since then, I have a controlling need to know where my loved ones are. If I can’t reach one of you, I worry, which makes me lose control of my emotions.”
“It’s understandable,” I murmur.
“It’s the reason my previous relationships ended,” he admits. “People tend to feel suffocated by me. I’m being upfront with you because I want to make this relationship work.”
What are the odds?
I almost let out a chuckle but suppress it. “Callan, you can never suffocate me. Since I’ve met you, you’ve made me feel so special. I wish I could describe how amazing it feels to finally have someone who shows an interest in me and my life.” This time, I can’t suppress the chuckle. “And here I was worried about coming across as needy or emotional.”
A smile spreads over his face, and pulling his hand free from mine, he cups my cheek. “You can never be too needy or emotional. I want you to share everything about your life with me. I want you to come to me if you have a problem. I want to be the one to comfort you when you have a bad day.”
Feeling that I’ve finally found someone who understands me, I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face against his skin.
“I’m sorry I made you worry earlier. I’ll never turn off my phone again,” I promise.
Gripping the back of my neck, Callan pulls me away so he can see my face. “Thank you for understanding, Lily.”
His nickname for me makes me smile and my heart flutters in my chest.
Suddenly, my phone starts to ring, and seeing it’s the lobby, I answer, “Hi, Peter.”
“There’s a delivery for you, Miss Harrison.”
“I’ll be right down.”
We end the call, and I grin at Callan. “Our dinner is here.”
“I’ll get the food while you get the plates and cutlery ready,” he says as he rises to his feet.
I watch as Callan takes my keycard and leaves the apartment before I walk to the kitchen. Deciding we can eat at the island instead of the dining room, I set our places and pour some wine into two glasses.
Soon, the front door opens, and Callan comes in with our dinner. He sets the containers down on the counter, and while I open them, he takes off his jacket so he can be more comfortable.
Suddenly, it hits hard that this incredible man is here because he cares about me.
He’s interested in me. He’s making time for me.
I have to breathe through the emotions the thought causes to well in my chest.
Noticing he got us shrimp for appetizers and rib-eye steak for the main course, I grin at him. “I love that you remember what we ate when we met for dinner.”
I set our plates across from each other, but Callan moves mine beside his. When he sees I’m watching him, he explains, “I want you next to me.”
Warmth floods my heart, and smiling like a love-sick idiot, I quickly dish up our food.
I’m not going to lie, I’m starting to fall for Callan. It’s a little scary because we’ve only been officially together for a week.
Not so fast, Lillian. At least wait a month to see if he’s going to stick around before you give him your heart.
If life has taught me one thing, it’s that actions speak louder than words.
Sitting down, I pick up my wine glass and take a sip.
Callan eats some of his shrimp, his eyes constantly settling on me.
Curious to know his thoughts, I ask, “What was your first impression of me?”
“The first thing I noticed was your scent. You smelled like cinnamon and vanilla.”
My mouth curves up in a smile before I take a bite of my food.
“Then I noticed how beautiful you were. You weren’t wearing makeup, which impressed me.”
“I don’t like wearing makeup every day,” I admit.
He lifts a hand and brushes his knuckle over my cheek. “When we met at La Manifique, you kept blushing. I loved it.”
As if on command, heat spreads up my neck and face.
A hot smirk forms on his face. “Yeah, exactly like that.” Leaning forward, he gives me a kiss then continues to eat.
After a couple of bites, he asks, “What was your first impression of me?”
Chuckling, I shake my head.
“Lily,” he mutters, his tone commanding.
“Obviously, I thought you were handsome.” I shift on the stool and take a quick sip of my wine. “You look a lot like Jensen Ackles, and your eyes are really intense.”
Gesturing at the smirk on his face, I add, “And you look way too hot when you smile like that.”
Clearing my throat, I turn my attention back to my food.
“Did you know about me before we met?”
I shrug. “I’ve heard your name in social settings.” Giving him a playful look, I say, “After all, you are New York’s most eligible bachelor.”