Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
“That sounds tough,” I agree. “But it’s good to hear things are changing. You’ll be ensconced in a suite together soon enough.”
Tess throws me a searching look.
“Yes, but is that good or bad, Mr. Barker? I mean, you can see how Rolly is for yourself,” she says, gesturing to the open window where my son’s now crawling around the bushes like a dog sniffing for a bone. “I mean … well, I shouldn’t complain.”
At that, I put my hand over hers on the table, swallowing up that small palm in my own. Electricity jolts through my frame at our touch, but I do my best to look calm.
“What is it?” I ask in a low voice. “You can tell me, sweetheart.”
Tess swallows hard, not meeting my eyes. It’s clear that she feels the attraction between us and doesn’t know what to do. But she shakes her head again and takes a deep breath before looking up.
“Well, it’s just that I feel like Rolly’s mother sometimes, and not his wife,” she murmurs. “That’s bad, right? I feel like I’m taking care of him like he’s my baby, and not because he’s a strong alpha male who’s taking care of me. It’s so terrible because I know alpha males are just creatures of fiction. They don’t truly exist in the real world, but this isn’t what I read about in my romance novels either. I mean, ADD? Squirrel-chasing? Medication? It’s too much for me.”
Then, to my chagrin, Tess begins to cry. She looks beautiful as tears roll down those sweet cheeks, and acting on instinct, I pull her into my lap. It’s a sudden move, and I know I shouldn’t do it, but it’s too late. Besides, Tess feels incredibly warm and soft with that big bottom nestled on my thighs as she leans against me. I pull her head down to rest in the crook of my neck while stroking those soft brown curls.
“It’s okay,” I murmur. “Trust me, I understand what you’re saying.”
Tess sobs a little more, those big breasts smashed against the hard wall of my chest.
“Do you?” she hiccups. “This is just so crazy, Mr. Barker. I mean, I know those romance novels aren’t real, but it just doesn’t feel like I’m married to a man. It feels like I’m married to a child, and I don’t know what to do about it!”
I press a kiss to her forehead while still stroking her long locks. To be honest, I’m getting aroused as Tess perches in my lap, her womanly form cuddled up against mine. In this position, I can see straight down her halter top, and shit, but those knockers are lush and full. The shadow between them haunts me, and I long to bury my tongue in the valley there, before suckling on a hard pink tip.
But I can’t because this is my daughter in law, and not only that, but she’s currently unburdening herself to me. It would be a total violation if I started touching her in that way, with my son outside too. I’m a total bastard, but I’m not that much of a bastard.
Meanwhile, Tess continues to cry, plastering her curvy form against my hard chest. She shifts a bit in my lap, and hell, but I get a flash of wet pinkness then. It’s not enough to see if it’s her bare pussy, but I have a suspicion that she’s naked beneath this skirt. That’s right. I think my daughter in law left her panties at home today, and suddenly, all of my morals go flying out the window. You know what? I am that asshole. Suddenly, I know that I’m going to enjoy the sexy Tess, even if I’m damned to eternity for doing so.
CHAPTER 3
Tess
I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m perched in my father in law’s lap, crying my heart out as I sob about the state of my marriage. It’s so inappropriate because of course, I’m married to Roland’s son. Yet I can’t help myself and merely cling to his broad shoulders even harder, burying my face in the bronzed column of Mr. Barker’s neck.
After all, this is what I dream of when I lie awake at night. A gorgeous, possessive alpha male who comforts me and solves all my problems. Roland Barker is nothing like his progeny, and being so close to him like this only emphasizes that fact. First, because Mr. Barker and Rolly look nothing alike. The alpha male currently rubbing circles on my back is about six foot three with ebony hair and flashing blue eyes. Not only that, but he’s got the body of a Greek god, judging from the hard pecs beneath my hands, not to mention the long, hard thighs cushioning my bottom. Meanwhile, Rolly’s about five ten and handsome enough, but he’s just a boy. He’s probably only one sixty, which frankly, is less than what I weigh.