Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
After pressing a kiss on her hair, Dirk left the two of them alone to concoct a list as he vanished into the walk-in closet. A few minutes later, she was well into her list, letting Bullyboo trample over her reservations to ask for everything she needed. The list was getting quite long as he emerged with slacks and a dress shirt thrown over his arm with a suit jacket. He hooked the hanger with the blazer on the wood trim of the door before coming to place the other items on the bed next to Cynthia.
“This is getting to be a big list,” she apologized.
“Good. Where’s your suitcase or should I take one of mine with me?” he asked, unfastening the towel and dropping it to the floor out of the way.
Cynthia hoped her eyeballs didn’t bulge out of her head as much as she thought they did as he turned to walk to the dresser and select a pair of boxer briefs from the top drawer. He stepped into them before grabbing a pair of black socks and returning to her side to sit down.
“Should I take a suitcase?” he asked, covering her bare thigh with one large hand. “I’m going to be sad when you’re wearing pants. I won’t have quite the same view.”
Flustered, she blurted, “I packed most of my things in boxes to move in. I have a duffel bag in the closet, but it won’t hold all of this.”
“Suitcase it is,” he agreed with her. “If you think of anything else you need today, text me.” Dirk stepped into his slacks and pulled on his shirt.
“Do you think I can do that? I’m under strict no technology rules.” Cynthia watched him button up the crisp material. It was fascinating to watch him change from a total hunk to polished lawyer.
“You can use your cellphone to make calls. Stay off the internet. Don’t interact with apps that operate online. It’s probably best to avoid all those in case they’re more connected than you believe.”
Dirk stepped to the dresser and opened the bottom drawer. Turning back to face her, he threaded the black leather belt through his pant loops. The sight of the polished leather running over his palm sent a shiver down her spine.
“Eyes on me,” he commanded.
Her gaze rose to focus on his face. “Sorry,” she squeaked.
“What would the belt be? A reward or a punishment?”
“Both,” she whispered.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Little girl,” he said with a wolfish grin that did nothing to dispel the growing heat between her legs.
After a quick breakfast of old-fashioned oatmeal, he cleaned up and prepared to leave. He took a few minutes to show her how to use his fancy remote. Cynthia hoped she’d remember the right buttons to push. Before he walked out of the door, he collected his phone from her and pulled Cynthia into his arms.
“I’ll be late tonight. I have court until five and then I’ll zip over to your apartment. Make yourself at home. I mean that. My house is your house,” he stressed.
“Mi casa es tu casa?” she parroted the Spanish she’d learned in high school.
“Exactamente,” he repeated in the same language, making her giggle.
“Is there anything you don’t know?”
“I didn’t know where you had been before you appeared under my deck. I wish I had,” he told her before kissing her until she clung to his shoulders as the world disappeared around them.
“Can I make dinner?”
“You’ll have to scavenge in my kitchen for something to make. Send me a text with a grocery list and I’ll have some things delivered.”
“I’m good at being creative,” she answered him and rose to her toes to kiss his lips. “Thank you.”
“One more kiss,” he demanded and captured her lips once more before dragging himself away.
When he left, she looked around the space and checked out the time remaining until her Daddy got home. Deciding to get busy, she inventoried the kitchen. She discarded a number of ideas due to missing ingredients before coming up with a plan. Most of the dish could simmer for several hours if he came home late. Then, she could add the last touches while he changed.
With that planned, she settled down on the couch. He’d shown her how to access a ton of movies. Selecting one, she made herself comfortable. Cynthia hadn’t had a movie night for a long time. She’d enjoy getting caught up on all the shows she’d heard people talking about in the cafeteria.
A reply text to her grocery list popped onto her cellphone around ten from Dirk. What’s your favorite candy?
Caramels. Why?
As she watched for his answer, the phone rang in her hand, frightening her. Frantically, she pressed on the screen to answer.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Grant?”
“Yes, this is Cynthia.”
“This is James Flanigan. I have been appointed as your release officer while you are awaiting your court date. Are you having any trouble with your ankle monitor?”