Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Okay. We’re communicating now, at least. That’s good. “Definitely,” I say quickly, nodding. “Which aquarium is it?”
“The New York Aquarium. The one on Coney Island.”
I lean forward, taking in the smells of all the breakfast food. Walker must smell it, too, because he’s doing his “I’m waking up now” grunts and wiggles in his crib.
“Sounds perfect.”
“Where is everybody?” I ask, looking around in wonder.
The aquarium is one of the biggest in New York, but there’s hardly anybody here.
Jake looks a little bashful. Even though we're inside, he’s wearing a black baseball cap and sunglasses. It’s still clearly obvious he’s Jake Summers, but his little disguise has managed to keep all but one mega fan from stopping us this morning.
“I may have gone online and bought every ticket that was still available for today,” Jake says. “I couldn’t buy out people who purchased ahead of time, but the lady on the phone said I cleared out about 70% of their normal volume for our time block.”
“Why did you do that?” I ask, unable to help but laugh a little. “That’s ridiculous. And it must have cost a fortune.”
He grins. “You seemed overwhelmed when we were getting swarmed on the streets. I thought you might appreciate fewer crowds. Besides the charity, most of my money just sits around anyway. It feels kind of good to have a reason to splurge.”
“I’m your reason to splooge?” I ask, giving him a teasing bump. “Is that what you just said?”
His eyes flash with arousal and amusement. “Yes, Caroline Prince. You are a very, very good reason to splooge. And for the record, I said ‘splurge,’ not ‘splooge.’”
We spend the first hour walking slowly through the massive building. We stop and slow down inside a half-tube tunnel made of glass. Deep blue water hangs overhead as all sorts of fish drift by in the water. Jake has Walker out of his carrier, and he’s holding him, pointing out fish while asking him questions.
It’s adorable because Walker is absolutely clueless. Mostly, he’s just drooling on himself and grunting, but Jake doesn’t seem to mind.
Sneakily, I snap a picture of them on my phone. I don’t know how things will wind up with the three of us, but I want some photo evidence of how good Jake is with his son. Also, Jake’s ass looks amazing in those jeans. It wouldn’t hurt to also have a little photo evidence of that.
The two of them are like magnets for passing women, though. Even if Jake bought out most of the tickets, a small trickle of other people is still going through the aquarium. I’m not surprised, considering plenty of people probably book ahead of time before taking trips to the city.
But I find I have to stick very close to my big man and my little man. If I even separate by a little bit, I catch women or groups of women drifting toward him. I’ve already had to pull the move where I casually come up and slide my hand around Jake’s narrow waist like four times.
I notice a pretty blonde girl twirling her hair as she drifts closer to them and roll my eyes.
Jesus, Jake.
I move up behind him, wrap my arms around him, and kiss Walker’s chubby little hand. With satisfaction, I see the blonde pivot and act like she just randomly decided to head in another direction.
“Do you realize you’re a woman magnet?” I ask, tucking a hand in the back pocket of his jeans. I’ve never been a big PDA person, but I can’t help myself. His ass is a work of art, and it might not be humanly possible to look at it without touching it. So far, we’re touching each other almost like we’re an official couple. As much fun as it is, I wish I knew if it was part of the act or because we took a real step toward something last night.
“It’s the baby,” he says. “You know how guys use dogs to pick up women in parks or whatever? I never realized small babies had the same effect. Kind of backwards, though, if you think about it. Why would a newborn baby signal that a guy is available?”
“Good question. Maybe it’s just how hot you look being sweet with him. You’re really good at this, you know.”
Jake tenses a little. I wonder if I’m touching too close to that which must not be discussed.
“Sorry,” I say, not entirely sure what I’m apologizing for, but I know it’s something. “Um, did you know this place is 14 acres? Crazy, right? I read it on the brochure out front.”
Jake’s cheeks puff out as he lets a breath loose, eyes falling to his feet. “You don’t have to be sorry. It’s alright. I’m not mad, really. I honestly just haven’t wrapped my head around it all yet. It’s easier for me if we just keep doing what we were doing while I let it sink in. That’s all.”