Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
She turned in my embrace, her brown eyes met mine. “How do you know?”
I shrugged, but I could already tell she would make a bigger deal out of it than it was. “I might have looked it up a little.” Or for a few hours, over the course of several days.
“You did,” she said blandly. “Why?” For the first time since she came back into my life, Bella wasn’t suspicious. She was curious.
“I was curious, as your boyfriend,” I told her simply, and put some physical distance between us before I did something silly like kiss that luscious mouth. “What I need you to do Bella, is try to stop worrying, and let’s figure out what we need to do to make this place sitcom family perfect. Cookies in the oven? Fireplace roaring in the background? Apron and heels?”
She let out a loud, surprised laugh. “A fireplace in summer?”
“Hey, I’m just the idea man. You’re the woman in charge.”
Bella’s brown gaze locked on mine for what felt like forever, but was probably only about a minute. She studied me carefully as she nibbled on her bottom lip, as if searching for something in the depths of my eyes. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but you’re right Derek.”
“Of course I’m right. I usually am.”
She got up from her chair and got in my face, smiling and shaking her head. “Except when it comes to using social media. Grandpa.”
My brows pulled into a frown. “Hey! Below the belt.”
“Sorry,” she said apologetically and waved me off as she began to pace the length of the kitchen. “I need to clean this place from top to bottom. Make sure Ev’s room is tidy, at least tidy for a thirteen year old boy. Lots of food in the fridge, and plenty of vegetables on display. And fruits. Kids need fruit.”
“Bella. Relax.”
She stopped pacing. “I am relaxed, I’m just making a plan!”
“Then why are you shouting?”
“Because,” she growled.
“Because?”
Her lips tugged into a reluctant grin. “Because I’m freaking out, okay?”
“All right, I’ll give you one minute to freak out, and I’ll just sit right here and stare at that fine backside of yours while you do it. I should warn you, I might lose track of time.”
She rolled her eyes, but her lips were still pulled into a smile. “Thanks, Derek.”
I spread my arms wide and grinned. “What are boyfriends for?”
The screen door at the front entrance opened and smacked closed, and a moment later Angelea appeared. “Oh, I hope I’m interrupting something good.”
“Mom!”
Angelea rolled her eyes and winked at me. “Guess not. Maybe later.”
“Maybe,” I said and winked at Bella.
“Excellent!” She clapped her hands and looked to Bella. “I’ve just been visiting some old friends in town, and I’ve decided to host a barbecue here at the farm.”
“A barbecue? Mom this is the worst possible time for that,” Bella growled and started to pace. Again.
Angelea looked hurt, and I explained the Ian and social worker situation. “Oh honey, I won’t interfere I swear. In fact we’ll clean the house for the barbecue, and it’ll be easier to maintain it for the next week or so. I’ll look into what the social worker is looking for, and make sure we give it to her. No worries.”
“Really?”
Angelea nodded. “Of course honey. I’m here to help, and to host a barbecue for all of our friends.”
That made Bella smile. “Thank you, Mom. Sorry for being snappy.”
“It is a mother’s right to flip out a little when someone threatens her babies.” Her words were just what Bella needed, and I watched, amazed, as the rest of the tension left her. “Just get it all out now so we can do what needs to be done.”
“Exactly what I told her, Angelea.”
“Well then my job here is done. Let’s go make some lists, Ev.” She breezed out of the room in a cloud of colorful fabric and floral perfume.
Everest gave Bella a serious look. “Just tell me what you need me to do Aunt Bella. Anything, except clean my room,” he joked.
She pointed at him with a smile. “That’s exactly what I need you to do.”
His shoulders fell and he nodded before catching up to Angelea on the front porch.
“My whole life went from calm and relaxed to chaos almost overnight,” she said, mostly to herself. She turned to me with a serene expression on her face. “Thank you Derek, for talking me off the ledge. I’m glad you were here.”
I pulled out my phone and pretended to film her. “Hang on, let me get that on video, or no one will believe it. Can you say that again, same expression and everything?” She closed her eyes and laughed, and when she opened her beautiful eyes, I was right there in front of her. “Bella.”
“Derek.”
I don’t know what it was about her tone, or maybe it was the way she looked at me, but I did the one thing I’d been fighting against since I saw her again, the one thing I promised her I wouldn’t do. I kissed her. My hands gripped her waist and pulled her close, my mouth crashed down over hers like she was the last sip of water on a scorching hot day. It was a nice kiss, at first, but her tongue slipped out and teased the seam of my lips and I lost my mind. My cock stirred to life against her core, and she pressed closer, wrapped her arms around me and kissed me back like she was as hungry for this kiss as I was.