Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“What?” I shake my head. “That would mean you’re not going.”
“Well, I just assumed I wouldn’t since I have Violet. It’s not exactly proper nanny etiquette to bring my daughter along while I’m working.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I set my phone down—I’ll email my brother back later. “In case I didn’t make myself clear last night, you’re mine, which means I’m not hiding you or your daughter from anyone, especially my stuck-up family. If I have to go, I want you and Violet there with Addie and me.”
“That’s sweet,” she says with a sad smile. “But to be honest, I don’t really want to expose Violet to your family. Brian’s family was nasty to her because she wasn’t his, and she felt their hostility. I don’t want to put her in that position again.”
Just another reason for me to wipe that asshole off the face of the planet.
“Do you believe I would ever let anybody treat you and Violet less than you deserve?”
“No, but—”
“No buts. If you’re not ready to meet my family, I won’t force you to go. But I meant what I said about keeping you both safe. And that’s not just from Brian. It’s from anyone who dares to hurt you and Violet, physically or emotionally. I would kill them before I let that happen.”
Kira smiles softly and wraps her arms around my neck. “Why is hearing you threaten bodily harm such a turn-on?”
“I don’t know, but if that’s what gets you hot, how about this? If I ever see Brian, I’m not only going to murder him, but I’m also going to torture him until he’s begging me to take him out.”
“Damn, baby.” She playfully fans herself. “I bet if you reach into my panties, you’ll find them damp.”
“Oh, yeah? How about we find out?”
I press a kiss to her lips, having missed kissing them all day. We haven’t discussed how to act in front of the girls yet, so I’ve made it a point to keep my hands to myself. Addie’s too young to care, but Violet is old enough to understand and be affected, and because of that, I’m leaving it in Kira’s hands.
“Mommy! I’m awake!” Violet yells, running down the stairs.
Kira and I quickly pull apart, but we’re too late because Violet stops in front of us and says, “Why were you kissing my mommy?”
“Um,” I choke out, having no clue how to answer that since I don’t know what Kira wants her daughter to know.
“Because he’s my boyfriend,” Kira says, making me whip my head around and look at her.
“Does that mean you love him?”
“Yes,” Kira says.
“And I love her,” I add.
“Okay,” Violet says with a shrug. “Can we go swimming?”
Kira laughs. “Sure. Go get your bathing suit on, and once Addie wakes up, we’ll go.”
“Okay!” Violet takes off, leaving Kira and me alone.
“I’m your boyfriend, huh?” I ask, pulling her back toward me. “Does that mean you’re my girlfriend?”
I waggle my brows, and she rolls her eyes.
“I only said that because she saw us kissing and I don’t want her to think it’s normal to just go around and kiss random people.”
“What the hell does that mean? I’m not your boyfriend?”
“Well, you haven’t asked.” She shrugs and then stands, but before she can get away, I pull her into my arms, her back against my front.
“Kira Miller, will you please be my girlfriend?” I whisper into her ear.
She visibly shudders, telling me she’s affected by our closeness, but she plays it off when she shrugs again and says, “I’ll have to think about it.”
“Bullshit!” I growl into her ear and then turn her around so she’s looking at me. “It sounds elementary as fuck, but you’re mine, and I’m yours. And as soon as I handle this fucking Brian situation, I’m going to put a ring on your finger, and then you’ll be my fiancée, and soon after that, I’m going to make you my fucking wife.” I lift her left hand and press a kiss to the knuckle of her ring finger. “But until then, the terms boyfriend and girlfriend will have to do.”
“You’re such a romantic,” Kira says, batting her lashes.
“I know.” I palm the side of her face. “Now, let’s try this again. Will you be my girlfriend?”
“I think you’ve already decided for both of us,” she taunts.
“Still wanna hear you say it.”
“Yes, Ryder, I’ll be your girlfriend.”
Her eyes twinkle with mirth, and I vow to make sure she’s always smiling and happy.
“Damn right you are.” I kiss her quick and hard. “You know what that means, right?” I smirk.
“What?”
“We get to fool around under the bleachers.”
She barks out a laugh and shakes her head. “Of course you were that guy. And since we both know you didn’t play football, you can’t even use that as an excuse.”