Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“I saw y’all jogging one evening and set out to get to know them.” Dash lifted a hand and arm to Duke, drawing him over for the same greeting he gave Dixie. “I only brought my necessities. Most of my clothes are at the office. I wasn’t sure how much extra room you had,” Dash explained, finally getting to his feet to face me.
“Are you saying you’re moving in?” I asked, completely confused. We had only ever discussed dating once the year was up. I looked forward to the magic of being out with the one you loved, wooing them to your side of thinking.
“I waited a year,” Dash said, coming closer to me. “This is the day you left me one year ago. The second worst day of my life.”
“I meant we’d try to date again after a year,” I said, still clutching the door. After watching him with my dogs, I wanted to shut the door, and lock him inside here with me.
“Oh, I misunderstood,” he said, glancing all around the living room and into the kitchen. “You’re letting the air conditioning out. Close the door.”
Since the air conditioning wasn’t on, I doubted we were losing any of the cool air inside the house but followed his instruction anyway. I wanted us to be a family. Dixie, Duke, Dash and me.
“So this is the living room and kitchen. I like the open concept.” He turned to stare out into the backyard, both dogs at his feet as he rubbed their heads. “Is that fitness equipment for the dogs?” Dash gave me a cheeky grin. “Duke and Dixie. Great names by the way.”
If I didn’t love him so much, I’d question my safety with him here. Investigators had nothing on Dash’s stalking ability. I’d often envisioned him here with us. Mainly, I’d think of him talking about how small the townhome was. That he’d be able to walk the length of the living room in a few steps and complain, but that wasn’t what I was seeing now.
“Where’s the bedroom? Are there stairs I’m missing, or do we sleep on the fold-out couch?”
“The stairs are behind the kitchen. It’s one room with a bathroom up there. Their beds take up a lot of room. And you can stay. Move in,” I finally said, emotion clogging my words. I wasn’t sure if the runaway feelings churning through me were detectable or not, but man, my insides were freaking the fuck out. I’d been a fool. Who cared about making it on my own if it meant Dash stayed on the outside. I was one hardheaded guy. Dash stared at me as I stared directly at him. Slowly, he came toward me, moving around the suitcase.
“Please put your ring back on. For the rest of our lives, I promise to put you first above all else. We’ll make decisions together, live a more normal life that you’re comfortable in.”
I nodded my agreement as my world became complete once again.
Everything that I blocked for so long, all my love and devotion and desire to be with this man, broke free as Dash dug a hand in his pocket then produced the ring again. With an unsteady hand, I extended my fingers, spreading them wide. He slipped the ring back where it belonged. Once in place, Dash stepped into me.
I automatically circled his waist with one arm, bringing him flush against my chest. He tilted his chin up, and I tilted mine down to meet him. Inches from the kiss, his gaze connected with mine. “If you’re unhappy, tell me. Don’t just stay at the office all the time again.”