Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“It’s not your fault.”
He shakes his head. “It’s definitely my fault. All of it, baby.” He cups my face, caressing both my cheeks with his thumbs. “You mean so much to me, and I made you feel second rate. I want to punch my own face in, baby. And now this.” He casts a black look at the FBI building.
“I didn’t squeal. They wanted me to get back together with you and wear a wire. They said they will prosecute me for tax fraud because I didn’t report tips. But I wouldn’t do it.”
“I’m so sorry. It’s bullshit, and I will take care of it. Whatever tax problem they invented, I will make it go away. I won’t let them use you to get to me.” He lowers his face to mine, until our eyes are level. “I am so sorry. I never wanted you involved in any of my troubles.”
“It’s probably my own fault—for calling you at home that night.”
“Shh. No. It’s my fault. And I’ll fix it. Regardless of whether you take me back or not, okay?” He rubs my arms. “I love you, and I wouldn't leave you hanging out to dry. You don’t have to sleep with me or be my girl. I’ll take care of it for you.”
I blink at him, my breath stalled in my throat. “You…what?”
He cradles my face. “I’ll take care of it.”
“No, back it up a little more. Before that.”
Bobby’s smile holds a world of regret. “I love you, Lex. I’m sorry I had my head up my ass. I should have told you that you were more than an arrangement. I just…” He shakes his head.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m…a little bent when it comes to relationships. I like to be in charge in the bedroom, so it got me off to feel like I own you. And I know that is inherently disrespectful, but I truly meant you no disrespect by it. This last week without you has made me realize that what you and I had—what we have—is something special. It goes way beyond some arrangement we made for you to stay in my apartment. And it would be there even without any kind of power structure. You get me. And I get you. And we like knowing how to tweak each other.
“And I’m sorry if it seemed like I didn’t deem you worthy enough to be a girlfriend or a wife. That’s not the case. I would marry you tonight, if you would have me. I want you back, Lex, any way you’ll take me. On your terms.”
A couple tears spill down my cheeks, but my heart lightens, as if the bands constricting it over the past week snapped, and it can expand to fill my whole chest. “I love you, too,” I whisper.
He snatches me up, clutching me against his chest so tightly I can't breathe.
“Will you take me back?”
“Yes,” I rasp.
He hustles me into the car and gets behind the wheel.
“Where are we going?”
“Where do you want to go?” he counters.
“If I say I want to be your wife, you’ll marry me right now?” I test.
He nods. “We’ll probably have to fly back to Vegas because it’s too late here, but yeah. Absolutely.”
I smile. “I don’t think that’s what I want. I was just checking.”
He catches my hand and brings my fingers to his lips. “All right. So what do you want?”
“I could move into your house? Do your daughters live with you?”
He nods. “Yeah. Is that what you want? They would be delighted if you would move in with us.”
“How about you?”
“I want you, baby. However it shows up.”
“Are you still going to be the boss?”
His face remains perfectly blank. “They’re your terms.”
“I’m not moving in with you.”
Bobby goes still, his gaze pinned to my face. “No?” If I didn’t know better, I would say he’s worried, as if he fears I’ve changed my mind about taking him back.
I shake my head. “I want my apartment back. I need a sugar daddy.”
His lips twist into a grin. “Yeah?” I catch the excitement in his tone. “I just so happen to be in the market for a sugar baby.”
“Is there…some kind of audition?” I purr.
“Not for you, sweetheart. You’ve already proven yourself more than qualified. But there will be stipulations.” He flicks his dark brows.
“I’m okay with That. I like being owned. Bossed around a little. Respectfully disrespected.”
Bobby grasps my nape and pulls me toward him for a possessive and rough kiss. “Sounds like we might have a deal.”
“I have a few stipulations of my own.”
He spreads his hands. “Please tell me.”
“I need to know I’m wedding-worthy.”
“Baby, you’re more than wedding-worthy. You’re so wedding worthy, I might drag you off to Vegas tonight whether you want me to or not.”
I laugh. “I meant as your date.”