Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Stepping into the nursery, I look around and smile. River’s been working hard on getting it ready. All the baby clothes are washed and hung. The diapers and wipes are both stocked. She picked out the cutest crib bedding set with a ranch theme. Cows, horseshoes, and cowboy boots are displayed on the quilt. The sheet has cowboy boots and stars on it—perfect for our little guy.
Mama, Aunt Charlotte, and Aunt Patsy have all made us blankets. Benita made a special blanket, too, with Bishop crocheted on it. This baby is definitely going to have everything he needs and more. As the days tick by, I find myself more and more excited, but I’m nervous too. I haven’t been around babies like River, but I like to think I’ll catch on and already plan to be up with River when he wakes up for feedings or changings.
The rocking chair is in the corner next to the nightstand and lamp. I made some floating shelves for all the books we received and are displayed next to the chair as well. Everything’s in place and perfect. I can’t wait to hold him for the first time and bring him home finally.
After I grab myself something to eat, I peek in on River once more and am relieved when she’s still asleep. I head to my room and decide to watch some TV and relax.
I’m dozing in and out, my head bobbing up and down when I hear footsteps in the hallway. My door slams open, and River walks in like she’s on a mission. Her long, blonde hair is pulled up, and she’s breathing heavy.
“What’s wrong?” I pop up, looking at her. “You okay?”
“Take off your clothes,” she demands as she starts pulling down her shorts.
“Wait. What?” I ask, jumping up.
“You heard me, cowboy.” She kicks her shorts off and flings them across the room.
“River, what are you doing?” I tread carefully, making sure I’m reading the situation correctly.
“I want to have sex.”
“Now?” I arch a brow. “I thought we were waiting, taking things slow and all that.”
“Slow ended weeks ago. Any slower and my vagina is going to fall off.” She’s completely serious, but I’m certain this is the hormones talking again.
“Sweetheart…” I walk toward her, closing the gap between us and cup her face in my hands. “Don’t take this the wrong way, because I absolutely want to make love to you, but I want to respect your wishes. Building our relationship from the ground up, starting fresh, and having a solid foundation. We don’t have to have sex to prove our love to each other. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”
“It’s time,” she says softly.
“Darlin’…”
“Hey, you owe me.”
“Huh?
“You said you’d do anything to make it up to me when you went out and got drunk that night.”
I try to hide my laughter but fail. “River, you’re acting like making love to you would be a chore. Trust me when I say I’ve had to pray for some serious willpower to stop myself around you. I’ve dreamed of making love to you again, so believe me, I fucking want to—desperately. But I want to make sure it’s what you really want and not just because you’re hoping it induces labor.”
Her shoulders drop, and she pouts. “Damn, I forgot you read that book cover to cover.”
I smirk. “Twice.”
“Okay.”
I bring our mouths together and tangle our tongues as we kiss deeply. She fists her hands in my T-shirt and pulls us closer. Fuck, she tastes good. I feel the way she arches her hips against me, and that willpower I was just talking about is diminishing by the second.
“River, stop.” I pant against her lips.
“No.” She wraps her hands around my waist, pushing my erection into her stomach. “Please, Alex.”
Goddamn, is she begging? Fuck me.
“I want to make you feel good, sweetheart, I do. But I’m afraid after all this time waiting, I’m going to end up hurting you. Or the baby.”
“You won’t, I promise.”
She reaches for my cock and begins rubbing it. Considering I’m wearing sweatpants, there’s not much fabric between us.
“I’m so damn horny, Alex. My hormones are going insane.”
I snort, pressing our foreheads together and moaning when she increases her pace.
“So take off your damn pants.”
“River.” I plead with my voice, though I don’t want her to stop. Fuck, it’s been way too goddamn long.
“TAKE. OFF. YOUR. PANTS,” she demands slowly. Her eyes shift, and I watch the rise and fall of her chest. She’s as worked up as I am, and I’m not sure I can deny her much longer.
“You tell me if I’m hurting you?” I look in her eyes and demand.
“I will,” she vows.
“And darlin’?”
“Yes?” She swallows, her breaths growing shallower.
“As mad as I was that first time I saw you at the diner, I still wanted to fuck you so goddamn bad.”