Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“I can just wait . . .” She glanced around. How long did it take to poach some eggs anyway?
“They’re getting cold. Eat.”
The firm command wasn’t one she could resist. Leaning forward, she took the eggs off the fork and saw the satisfaction in his face.
Dear Lord.
She really needed to do something about the rush of arousal running through her body.
And there was only one fix that she could see.
She took a big sip of coffee as the other eggs were delivered. He cut them up, but otherwise let her feed herself.
So generous of him.
And she didn’t miss having him feed her.
No. Not at all.
When the bill came, she reached for her handbag.
“If you pull out that wallet, I’m going to ignore the fact that I’m not your Daddy or Dom and I’m going to take you back to your hotel room and spank you.”
Her mouth dropped open, then she shut it. “Tell me how you really feel, why don’t you? I just hate when men are shy and retiring.”
He grinned at her sarcasm. “You’ll get none of that with me, darling girl.”
He left some cash on the table. He tipped well. That was always a turn-on. When she used to go out with her boss for meals, he was always a miserable tipper and she’d end up leaving extra cash under her plate for the servers.
Dominic placed his hand on the small of her back as he led her out of the diner.
“Sooo,” she said as they headed back to the hotel. “Do you have work today?”
“No, I’ve got two weeks off. I just came off a three-month job with little downtime.”
“Oh.” She licked her lips nervously. “What were you going to do today?”
“I was going to put you down for a nap.”
Jesus. Those words.
“Maybe nap with you if that was what you wanted.”
“I’ve never been good at napping,” she confessed.
“Well, let’s just see if we can change that. First, though, do you want to go for a walk around town?”
Go for a walk?
For fun? When was the last time she’d done that? Just walked around with no purpose in mind.
Sheesh, she couldn’t remember.
“Unless you’re too tired or sore from yesterday?” he asked with concern.
Sore? Oh, from that stupid bike ride.
Urgh, she was going to put that one under the list of things she never intended to do again in her life. Unless she was being chased by a bear. Or an alligator. But that would mean she was in the water. Bikes didn’t work in the water.
“Have I lost you, Shortcake?” he asked, sounding amused.
“Hmm? Oh, sorry. I was thinking about bikes, alligators, and bears.”
“Um, sounds interesting.”
“It really wasn’t. And I’d love to go for a walk with you.”
The stroll around town turned into some light shopping. Who knew such a small town could have so many cute boutique shops? She stood admiring a pair of earrings in the window of one shop as someone whizzed past them on a pair of skates, nearly crashing into them. Dominic placed his arm around her, pulling her back to his front, almost as though he was protecting her.
God, he was sweet.
She was starting to see why everyone around here said that.
“Hey, not-Pit Bull! It’s you!”
She turned in shock to see the person that had almost bowled into them was Kiesha. She was wearing a monster helmet as well as monster knees pads and elbow pads. She had on long, striped socks and a pleated skirt.
“Kiesha!” Dominic said firmly. “You need to be more careful, you nearly hit us.”
“I wouldn’t have hit you. I have excellent reflexes.”
“Do I need to tell Harry or Ed that you were skating around too fast?” Dom asked in a silky voice.
Uh-oh, that was his ‘you’re in trouble voice.’
Kiesha sighed, her hands on her hips as she spun in circles in one place. Gwen was starting to feel ill.
“No one likes someone who tattles, Dom. Now, I was hoping I’d run into you.” She pointed at Gwen.
“Me?”
“You, New Bestie. You coming back to quiz night this Thursday?”
“Um, it’s only Friday.
“Wait.” Kiesha stopped. “It’s Friday?”
“Um, yep.”
“Shoot. I’ve got somewhere I’m meant to be. Gotta skate. See you Thursday, New Bestie.”
“I don’t know if I can make it!” Gwen called after her. People around her glanced over. Shoot. That was embarrassing.
“Did she hear me?” she asked.
“Sometimes she has very selective hearing.”
Gwen sighed.
“Looks like you have to stay until Thursday, Shortcake.”
“Is New Bestie a better name than Pit Bull?”
“Yeah, I think so. You never did say what made you come to Wishingbone.”
“Oh, someone recommended it.” She glanced up at him. “And I’m glad I listened.”
“I’m glad you did too.”
She leaned heavily against him, feeling a wave of exhaustion run through her.
“You’re tired, aren’t you, baby? I should have taken you back to the hotel room right after breakfast.”
“No! No,” she said in a gentler voice. “I’ve really enjoyed these last few hours of just wandering around and window shopping and feeding the ducks. I can’t remember the last time I did anything like this. It’s . . . I never just do things for fun.”