Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“From the conversation we shared, to the dancing, to our time in the backroom, I felt everything. And after you left, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. All I wanted to do was find you.”
“Because you didn’t know it was me,” I mutter, my gaze descending.
“No,” he says, tilting my chin up to look at him. “I didn’t know my mystery woman was you, but that doesn’t change the connection we shared. And since learning it was you who I shared that connection with...Spending the past couple of months with you...That connection has only deepened for me.
“Yeah, I was scared to admit my feelings because the fact is, I am a lot older than you, and to a lot of people that looks bad. But I’m done giving a fuck about what shit looks like. I love you, El, and I love that you’re carrying my baby.”
He moves his fingers from my chin, back to the side of my face, and with his other hand, squeezes the curve of my hip, pulling me closer. “I’m not saying I want to keep knocking you up like my brother and your sister keep doing...” The corner of his lips quirk into a sexy smirk. “But watching you grow my baby inside of you is one of the most beautiful things I’ve experienced. Just knowing that we created him during that night we spent together is such a turn on...So I definitely wouldn’t object if you wanted to make a couple more babies with me.”
I choke out a watery laugh as butterflies attack my chest. “We’ll see if you say that after the baby is born and we’re sleep deprived from him waking up all night.”
“You’re really not going to make this easy on me,” he says with a groan. “My point is that yes, my life changed that night we were together but only for the better, El. Before that night, I had refused to settle down, not wanting to ever settle, wanting to make sure the woman I ended up with was the person I could see myself creating a life with. And when I look at you, I see all of that. I see our future...Babies, a home filled with love. Holidays, birthdays, family vacations...Lazy mornings in bed, late nights spent with me inside you. I want it all, and I want it with you.”
“Lincoln,” I breathe, getting choked up with emotion from his words. He doesn’t get its significance because he’s always had it—the loving family, holidays, vacations, birthdays—but all those things he says he wants with me are all the things I’ve always wanted but feared I’d never have.
“I want that,” I whisper, afraid if I say the words too loudly, the universe will rescind the offer.
“Give us a real chance, Kitten, and I promise I’ll spend every day showing you how much I love you and how much I want this life with you. I’m not saying every day will be perfect, but we can have the life we both want, together.”
I should probably make him work harder for it. It’s only been a short time since I pushed him away and told him he’d have to prove his love for me, but as I look into his hazel eyes, I realize I don’t want to play games. I’ve learned the hard way how cruel life can be, how quickly it can change at the drop of a dime. All we have is right now, and I want to spend it being loved by Lincoln.
“Okay,” I breathe. “I’ll give us a real chance.”
His features morph into pure happiness, and the way my heart swells tells me I made the right decision. I love Lincoln, and I want this life with him. I want to love him and be loved by him. Hell, I’ve loved him in my own way since I was fourteen years old. Not because he was hot and older—though, he definitely was—but because even back then I felt the strength of his love. It was the kind of love that wrapped me up like a warm blanket on the coldest winter night and made me feel safe. Only now that love has blossomed into something more...Something deeper. Something I want to spend the rest of my life nurturing, so it will continue to grow.
“I love you,” he says, pulling me into his arms. “And I promise, you won’t regret it.”
His mouth descends on mine, and I sigh into the kiss, getting lost in him. It’s only been a short time since I’ve felt Lincoln’s mouth on mine, but the moment our lips touch, I instantly crave more of him, more of his touch, his scent, his taste.
When I encircle my arms around his neck, wanting to deepen the kiss, he chuckles into my mouth and breaks the kiss. “Baby, we have plans tonight.”