Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
“Hey, Talon, this is a surprise,” Ed answers the door shortly after I made my way to his front porch and hit the doorbell.
“Hey, Ed, do you and Lisa have a few minutes to talk?”
“Of course. Is everything alright?” Fuck, the last thing I want is for him to worry.
“Oh yeah, this shouldn’t take too long. Sorry to cause any trouble.” I take a step back as he opens the storm door, holding it for me as I pass through. All damn night, I’ve been going back and forth on how to start this conversation.
“No trouble at all. Lisa is asleep. She can’t hang out two nights in a row with little to no sleep like she used to.” Ed lets out a chuckle. Maybe luck will finally be on my side tonight.
“Kelsey mentioned you two have been busier than usual lately.” I tip my hand to let him know that we talk more than he’s probably aware. I’ve stayed away from Kelsey since the Taylor family moved in a couple of years ago. The temptation was too damn strong for me to be around her and not want to do more than look. That all changed a few weeks ago when she touched me, and I knew it was going to be impossible to hold back much longer.
“Yeah, she’s got a taste of the empty nest syndrome, and no matter how much I try to keep Kelsey from saving up money to move out, it’s hard. She’s hell bent on spreading her wings to fly, which is a damn hard pill to swallow.” Kelsey didn’t relay all that, except it makes sense. Two jobs, one full-time, one part-time. I’m pretty sure her atrial fibrillation will kick in if she doesn’t take it easy. After the bomb she dropped, I did my own research. Alcohol, caffeine, high blood pressure. They're all contributing factors. Which means I’m going to do whatever I can to simplify her life.
“I bet.” I stand in the foyer waiting to see where this goes next.
“So, what did you want to talk about, Talon?” Fuck, this is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. He has every right to tell me to back the hell off. Kelsey is twenty-two to my thirty-six. She’s just starting her career, whereas I’m firmly settled at where I’ll stay until I’m as old as Grandad and can’t stand to captain a boat any longer. Considering Grandpa Scott hasn’t stopped yet, I’d say neither will I. He goes out every morning to set a couple of traps for whatever he’s feeling froggy for. Sometimes he’ll share his bounty of whatever he fishes. Other times he’ll tell me to shit or get off the pot and catch my own.
Ed crosses his arms over his chest, waiting me out. “I’m not sure where to begin.” I keep my arms lose and at my sides. I’ll take whatever he dishes out when I finally grow a pair and admit to Ed that I’m pursuing his daughter.
“At the beginning would probably be a good idea.” Boy, he isn’t wrong.
“I’d like to date your daughter.” Jesus, I feel like I’m in high school picking up Talia for senior prom. Except this is ten times worse. What I feel for Kelsey is stronger than I ever thought possible. She’s fucking it for me.
“Not surprised. I’ve admired the way you’ve stayed away, let her do her college deal, get on her feet. I’ve seen the way my daughter looks at you.” Ed takes a deep breath. Yeah, hiding my feelings from not only Kelsey but her parents has been damn hard. I’d so much as catch a glimpse, scent, or hear her voice, and I had to excuse myself or start reciting tide charts to keep my cock in check. And when she touched me a few weeks ago, causing me to send her away, I walked my ass inside, pulled my shorts down, and wrapped my hand around my dick until I came. Not my proudest moment, but it kept me from going after her. “Kelsey is a lot like her mom. When they want something, they go after it. Hell, Lisa chased after me until I finally gave in,” Ed says.
“I can see that.” I no sooner state my reply than Kelsey’s dad's fist comes out of nowhere. I’ve barely got time to brace for impact before my jaw is clipped. It’s by sheer will and Grandad’s advice that I keep my feet planted.
“Jesus Christ, Edward Lewis Taylor. What have you done?” Lisa comes around the corner, wearing a house robe and hair sticking up every which way.
“We’re fine.” Ed holds his hand out for me to shake.
“Men are so weird. I swear I will never understand the lot of you. Where’s Kels?” Lisa doesn’t question why I’m here late at night.