Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
We stop by the entertainment room. It’s filled with multiple flat screen TVs, a foosball table, a pool table, and a bar. We step inside and Ronnie lets out a steady stream of important information like the size of the flatscreen and how he’s hoping to play some multiplayer video game on it next week. Regina’s eyes widen.
“It would be an amazing experience,” she agrees. “So long as your dad lets you play video games.”
I pin Ronnie with a look.
“Some, but not too much.”
My son’s face falls.
“But Call to Action is coming out! My friends are all going to be on-line, and we want to do it together.”
I pin him with a look.
“Is this the one where you’re mercenaries blowing each other up?”
He nods and brightens.
“Yeah, and it’s so cool! There are tons of weapons, and when you hit someone, their entire body explodes into smithereens!” he crows. “It’s amazing.”
I merely shake my head.
“One hour per day. At the most.”
He looks down, clearly disappointed.
“Awwww, Dad!”
I share a smile with Regina.
“It’s tough staying on top of these kids, but this game sounds uber-violent. I don’t know how they come up with this material.”
She nods and whispers.
“The video game companies are just looking to make money. It’s horrendous sometimes what they include.”
I nod.
“I completely agree.”
Suddenly, a new voice interrupts.
“Isn’t this the biggest TV you ever saw?” The voice is Rebecca’s. Ronnie turns and glares at her and she quickly says, “Sorry! I forgot. You can tell Regina something about my room when we get there.”
Rebecca stays close to Regina as we move from room to room, and the new nanny continues to delight the kids, who all attempt to show off in one way or another. They try to get her attention with this toy, that trophy or their school assignments. The exception is Rico, who’s still standoffish, but it’s okay. My boy is growing up to be a man, and he doesn’t think he needs a nanny anymore.
We finish upstairs and head downstairs to continue the tour. It’s a complete free for all because the kids haven’t created a system for showing her about. Ronnie rushes up and tackles an ottoman, screaming, “I’ll save you from the dragon!”
Regina curtsies and says, “Thank you good knight. Perhaps you could go to the backyard and clear it of monsters for my arrival?”
He rushes off with a smile, dragging Rufus and Rachel with him.
“Are you sure you still want to stay?” I turn to Regina with a wry smile. “This is a lot.”
But the look on her face makes my heart stop. Instead of appearing horrified or cantankerous, instead a look of delight creeps over her lips. Her brown eyes are gentle and warm, and she says, “Your kids are adorable, Ryan. Of course I want to stay.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted anyone as much as I want this woman. Her natural motherly instincts are just so attractive to me, and I have a caveman-like urge to pull her under me and give her a baby.
What the fuck? I already have five kids. Six would put me over the top. But still, I’m an alpha male through and through, the thought of seeing Regina’s belly fill up with my baby is tempting. This is utterly inappropriate given that we just met, and I force myself to think of other things.
Finally, we get to Regina’s suite. By now, we’ve lost the kids somewhere, and the quiet is a welcome respite. I nod to a white door.
“This is your apartment,” I say.
She blushes.
“I don’t just have a room?”
I shake my head.
“No, this house is huge, so it has a built in in-law unit, which is now yours.”
We step into the airy space, and it’s gorgeous. Simple, but very feminine and pretty. There’s a white coverlet on the full-size bed, and a white vanity and desk. A door leads to an en suite, which is also sparkling white with a tub and shower.
“Wow,” Regina breathes. “Thank you, Mr. Blythe. This is beautiful.”
“Here, there’s even a kitchenette this way,” I say, pointing to another door leading off to the left. “That way, you have the ability to cook on your days off. You won’t have to deal with the little monsters when you need to eat.”
She laughs.
“The monsters being your kids?”
I laugh too.
“Yeah, definitely.”
She turns sparkling eyes to me.
“I’m sure they’re not monsters, Ryan,” she says with a secret smile. “I’m sure everything’s going to be just fine.”
My heart leaps at her words because I’ve never been attracted to a woman so much. My body stiffens again, and thank fuck, but I’m still carrying the blasted book. I edge it around to my front, and smile back at Regina. The connection is electric and suddenly, I have that overwhelming urge to give her a baby again. What the fuck? I know that it can’t happen, but something tells me that it will.