Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I close my bedroom door as I take a deep inhale. When I open the door, Cooper standing there with Penelope in his arms. “I’m really sorry,” he says, “but she had a bad dream.”
I hold out my hands for her, and she flies into them as she lays her head on my shoulder. “What’s the matter?” I rub her back. “Are you okay?” I ask her and then look at Cooper. “Sorry about that.”
“Hey, it’s the joy of parenting,” he reminds me as he smiles and turns to walk away.
“Are you okay?” I ask her as I walk her to her bedroom, putting her down on her bed and tucking her in. “Do you want water?”
“No,” she says softly as she closes her eyes.
I wait a second before I walk out of her room and go back to mine. I turn the door handle, opening it and expecting to find Abigail where I left her. Instead, the bed is empty, and the door to the patio is open. I look at the bed and then down to where my clothes are, confirming she’s gone.
My heart sinks as I think about texting her when I hear Penelope, who stands there rubbing her eyes. “Daddy, can I sleep with you tonight?” she asks and I look at her.
“Um,” I say, looking at her and then back to the bed where I just left my heart. “How about I come sleep with you?” I suggest as I walk out of my bedroom, not even bothering to close the door, hoping somehow, she comes back tonight for me.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ABIGAIL
I slip into my room in the darkness, trying not to wake Gabriella. I tiptoe from the living room until my bedroom door closes behind me. I put my head back against the cold door as I wipe away the tear escaping. I put my hand to my chest, and the beating of my heart is racing out of control.
I take a deep breath in and out, trying to get my breathing under control before I push off the door and walk into the bathroom. I don’t bother turning on the lights before I walk to the bathtub and start the water. My body feels like it’s on autopilot. I pull my shirt that I quickly threw back on when he walked out of the room and went to the door.
I had no idea who it could be, but I also didn’t want to be caught in his bedroom naked. At least if I was wearing clothes, I could have said we were just talking. Although, I don’t think anyone would have believed we were talking in his bedroom in the dark. I was putting my pants on when I heard Cooper’s voice. It literally felt like you took a bucket of ice water and threw it on me. I got my skirt on, grabbed the remainder of my panties, and slipped out his door. I felt like I was James Bond as I tried to sneak back into my house without anyone seeing me. I held my breath the whole way as I jumped from his patio to mine. The only thing I could think was what if I fell and broke my face? Even when I made it over, I was like a cat burglar, walking with my back pressed against the side of the house until I finally reached the villa.
I slip my skirt off my hips, put one foot into the tub, and then another, sitting down and wincing. I lean back onto the rear of the tub as I replay the last hour over and over in my head. It was everything I thought it would be and more, but I’m sure it was only because of Tristan. When he pushed himself into me, I tried not to wince in pain, and after a couple of seconds, the burning left, and I felt so full. I had no idea if he knew or not. I thought for sure he did at the beginning but then when he continued, I was like, phew, dodged that bullet. I even stupidly asked him if it was okay. I mean, it was better than okay for me. It was everything Gabriella said it would be and so much more. I was lying in bed feeling like a rock star until he came out of the bathroom and looked at me, confused. I can still hear his question clear as day. “Abigail, was this your first time?” I felt the heat run up my neck at the same time that my mouth went suddenly dry. I was trying to think of anything to say, pretend that it was my period. It was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life to pretend I got my period in the middle of sex, but it definitely was better than the real reason. Anything, and I mean anything, but all the words got stuck in my throat until the knock on the door saved me.