Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Yes, sex and making a baby would be the easy part of this arrangement, but resisting Tripp and his persuasive tactics would require far more restraint. Already, based on their one night together and a week of getting reacquainted over texts, she could feel an emotional pull toward him, which made those boundaries and rules that she planned to establish between them all the more important. She intended to make it clear that while she had no issues giving him free rein with her body during the process, her heart was off limits.
From inside the ballroom, she could hear the bachelor auction wrapping up, which made her wonder what had happened with Lauren. After promising to text Tripp her address for dinner the next evening, she headed back inside the ballroom in search of her friend.
The auction was over, the crowd of women around the stage dispersing, since there were no other men left to bid on. Catching sight of Lauren, Skye waved her down.
“Hey, how is your grandfather?” Skye asked, unable to make sense of the range of emotions reflecting on Lauren’s face. But at least she didn’t detect any panic over her family situation, which relieved Skye.
“He’s okay,” she said, her brows creased with normal concern. “He had what’s known has a transient ischemic attack. They ran blood tests and scans and there is no permanent damage, thank God. He’s at home resting and he’ll have to see his doctor on Monday, but my mother assured me he’s going to be fine, and I don’t need to rush home when I’ll be there for my sister’s wedding next month.”
“Good. Did you make it back to the stage in time to bid on a bachelor?”
Lauren grimaced, shaking her head and finishing with a groan. “Yes, and I ended up with Mr. Grumpy Pants, and not Neil Pierson the dependable accountant I was expecting.” She met Skye’s gaze, dread swirling in the depths of her eyes. “By the time I got back to the ballroom he was the only one left and I just panicked and didn’t let that scowl deter me from bidding on him. Not that I had much competition,” she muttered.
Skye swallowed back a laugh since Lauren sounded so miserable. “What happened to Neil? Did the auctioneer say?”
“Apparently he got sick with the flu, so this Chase guy was his last minute replacement. Billie must have been desperate to find someone, because he did not look happy to be up on that stage. But at least I got him dirt cheap.”
“Well, that’s a plus, at least,” Skye said with a smile, trying to be positive.
Lauren sighed. “I’m on my way out to the greeting area to meet him. Keep your fingers crossed that I can persuade him to accompany me to my sister’s wedding next month for our weekend together.”
“You’ve got this.” In a show of support, Skye held up both hands, fingers crossed for double the luck. “Go dazzle him with your beauty and charm, and I’ll handle checking in with the Meridian service staff to make sure everything is still running smoothly.”
Her friend straightened her shoulders and smiled. “He doesn’t look like the type to be bowled over by beauty and charm, but I’ll certainly try my best.”
Chapter Seven
Tripp arrived at Skye’s apartment in Brooklyn the following evening as scheduled, still unsure what “rules” she was about to enforce in regard to their baby making arrangement. But he was prepared to accept whatever formalities she thought necessary to make this feel like a safe venture for her.
He already knew he wasn’t going to be thrilled with her restrictions and stipulations, but he suspected her reasons for establishing boundaries had everything to do with protecting her emotions. And if that’s what she needed to feel comfortable with him and the situation, then for now he’d abide by those rules.
He knew enough about her recent past to understand how badly she’d been hurt by her ex, how cautious she was now with men, even if he still didn’t know the details of what had happened. But if adhering to her conditions allowed him to build a foundation of trust and let her slowly lower those walls, then he’d bide his time, be patient, and agree to whatever she wanted . . . while systematically finding his own way to strip away her reserve and ensure she knew that he was invested in this relationship one hundred percent. For the baby they created together but also for Skye.
While he was freaking excited about the possibility of being a dad, the thought of having a real future with Skye had him determined to barrel through her defenses and prove to her that he was a man she could depend on in every aspect of her life.
He parked his car and once inside the lobby of the complex, he checked in with the doorman, who allowed him access to the elevator since Skye had added Tripp to her approved guest list. He pushed the button for the tenth floor, and once he arrived on her level he found her apartment and knocked on the door.