Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Later that night, after they talked about their daughter, she fell asleep in his arms.
The next morning, after Facetiming with Leah before school, Aurora fell back to sleep, something she never did. Everything about this morning was different from her usual routine. Normally, she’d wake up to her alarm, have a cup of coffee, put on exercise clothes and go on the treadmill before taking a quick shower, and waking Leah.
Then, she’d have breakfast with her chatty child, followed by a rush to the car with Aurora running down a list of things she didn’t want to forget. Part of her was teaching Leah to think ahead, but a greater part of her just wanted to make sure she didn’t have to take a ride back to kindergarten because they forgot to pack Leah’s lunch.
Sleeping in was a luxury, but when she woke up alone in the hotel room at eleven a.m., she was in shock.
She washed up and brushed her teeth, then found Nick in the outer room, hunched over a laptop, and drinking coffee. He’d obviously showered and dressed, looking sexy as ever in a pair of dark jeans and a buttoned-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled up.
“Morning,” she said.
“Good morning.” He looked her over, his gaze scanning her bare legs beneath the long shirt she’d put on—his shirt. “I can’t believe you let me sleep in.”
His lips lifted in a sexy smirk. “You were snoring. I figured you needed it.”
She walked over and nudged his shoulder. “I don’t snore.” A flush of heated embarrassment rose to her cheeks.
“It was adorable,” he said, chuckling. “Sit and eat. I ordered muffins so nothing would get cold.”
She lowered herself into the chair next to him and since her stomach was rumbling, she chose a large blueberry muffin, poured her coffee and dug in. After she showered and packed up her things, Nick called for his car and he drove them back to her house in Old Westbury.
He stepped out, came around and opened her door.
She prepped herself to say goodbye. “Well, thank you for an incredible night.”
He braced a hand on the top of the window. “That sounds like goodbye.”
She raised her eyebrows. “It’s not?”
“What do you have planned for the rest of the day?” he asked.
“I have to pick Leah up from school.” She’d bring her daughter home, give her a snack and let her spill all the details about her day while Aurora prepped dinner. Then it was bath time, story time, and bed. But he didn’t need to hear her whole routine.
“Perfect. I was hoping to see Leah. How about we surprise her by picking her up together?”
His eyes lit up at the possibility and she couldn’t mistake the hope in his tone. No way could she deny him the chance to do something so normal for his daughter.
“Sounds like a plan. Come inside. I need to do a few things before its time to leave.”
He accompanied her inside and waited in the family room while she returned some work calls that were on her voicemail. She scheduled a meeting with Sasha and Cassidy to discuss Billie’s idea for FFT, and one with Linc to see what buildings might come up for sale for her housing component. He’d left a message that he had some leads.
Nick must have had the same idea because he was on the phone in the family room with what sounded like a business call when she walked in.
He held up one finger. “Yes. Of course. We’ll discuss it all when I get there.” He finished up and disconnected his call. “Ready?” he asked.
She nodded. Although his car sat outside, it was a two-seater Porsche.
“I have Leah’s car seat in the back of my SUV. Come on,” she said. She started for the garage entrance and realized Nick wasn’t behind her. She walked back to the family room where he stood standing in what appeared to be shock. “What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t know a five-year-old needed a car seat.”
In an effort not to laugh because he seemed so horrified, Aurora bit down on the inside of her cheek. “Actually, it’s a booster seat, but yeah. She needs one and she can’t ride in a two-seater.”
He blew out a breath and shook his head. “I have a lot to learn and buy,” he muttered, gesturing for her to go to the garage.
She laughed and walked out. He’d get it eventually. If Nick Dare was anything, it was determined.
They picked up Leah from school. She’d been delighted to see Nick and all but ignored Aurora as she dove into his arms and let him pick her up and carry her to the car. He lifted her up high so she could chatter in his ear as they walked.
No sooner had they all been settled in the car than Nick asked, “Who wants ice cream?”