Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 130673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 523(@250wpm)___ 436(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 653(@200wpm)___ 523(@250wpm)___ 436(@300wpm)
When he got to the door, he slung his hand on the knob and swiveled his head to glance at me. “Dyl?”
“Yes, Rhy?”
Since when were we Dyl and Rhy? This change in dynamics symbolized the collapse of my self-defense mechanism.
“I found a really great daycare for the little stinker.” He tucked a hand into his front pocket. “It comes highly recommended. Montessori method, with teachers specializing in mental development and shit. The waiting list is three years deep, but Bruce’s wif—”
His words doused me like ice-cold water.
“How dare you?” I snarled.
Did he really hate spending time with Gravity that much? Did he think I was going to put her in care five times a week while I worked mostly night shifts and wouldn’t get to see her at all?
“No one asked you to help me find a daycare. I don’t want one.”
“Nannies are unreliable.” A muscle flexed in his jaw. He wasn’t cowering away from the subject. “And once this app takes off, I won’t have time to babysit her. Anyway, she is, like, fucking smart. Even I can tell, and she is legit the only three-year-old I know.” His gaze snagged on mine, gritty and unwavering. “She needs to hang out with other kids. Make friends. Think about her.”
“I am thinking about her.” I stood up. A rush of panic and agony funneled through me. “I’m thinking she doesn’t have a dad, so at least she can have a present mom.”
I hated that my anger, my heat, my desperation, wasn’t piercing through him. That he didn’t shy away from confrontation when I expressed big feelings. That he cared enough to engage in a battle instead of walking off like Tucker did.
“All the same, I’ve gotten to know your kid, and I think you could both benefit from enrolling her, at least part-time,” Rhyland maintained calmly. “You’re going to go to school at some point. This bar gig ain’t forever. And Gravity deserves more than a fake uncle who teaches her how to burp the alphabet and chuck pineapple pieces out the window to pass the time.”
“There will be no school for me,” I laughed. “New York is my one and only chance to escape living with my mother for eternity. I’m not gonna blow it by enrolling in college and risking financial demise. What do you think I’m going to do with your paychecks? I’m saving every penny.” I walked over to the door, shaking with rage.
Did he think I was doing a bad job with my own daughter? That she wasn’t being provided with enough stimulation?
“That’s not—” he started.
“Get out.”
He yanked on the handle, opening the door, those light, tranquil eyes still trained on me. But instead of getting out, he turned from the door sharply, taking one step and eating all the space between us. Suddenly, he was in my face. His heat radiated onto my body. His pulse drummed against my own. He leaned down so we were face-to-face. I felt like I was about to explode, and I didn’t know if it was from want, need, or anger.
“Tomorrow. Ten thirty a.m. I’m driving.” His breath skated along the column of my neck, his voice low and menacing. “I’m not Tucker, Dylan. You can’t steamroll me. You can’t make me run. You can’t exhaust me into agreeing with you. Don’t be late.”
“I told you—”
“Marshall set it up,” he snapped. “If this is a test, I wanna pass it. We’re going.”
“I hate you.” I was acting childishly, I knew, but maybe it was exactly what I needed. Someone I could show my worst to, knowing they still wouldn’t leave.
To my horror, a lone tear escaped my right eye.
This was why I was being horrible to him. My instinct was to push men away just to watch them leave. Only Rhyland hadn’t left in the six days since we’d reconnected. Yet.
But I already knew he’d meet this challenge head-on. That was just who he was. He never shied away from hard work.
He used his thumb to brush my tear away. “Someone told me enemies-to-lovers tropes have the best sex.” He popped his thumb into his mouth, tasting my tear.
“That someone sounds smart,” I mumbled.
He nodded. “Hot too.”
With that, he slid past me, his arm brushing mine in an erotic whisper, and walked away, leaving me in a pool of desire and anger.
What the hell just happened?
RHYLAND
Dylan_loves_Rhyland4ever liked your reel.
Dylan_loves_Rhyland4ever commented: omg you look so much better my love! The green hue is almost gone. The doxycycline is working!!
Rhyland Coltridge commented: Can’t believe you’re awake, babe. Thought you’d sleep off the hangover after that last binge.
Dylan_loves_Rhyland4ever commented: Burn in hell <3 <3 <3
Rhyland Coltridge commented: Ladies first <3 <3 <3
Dylan_loves_Rhyland4ever commented: Aw I love you so much I could strangle you.
Rhyland Coltridge commented: I want you so much I could suffocate you.