Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
The first few developments we invested in hadn’t interested me. The homes were all right next to each other. These, however, are spread out. Plus, with being an initial investor, I got a hell of a deal and got to make changes and such so mine isn’t so cookie cutter.
“It’s beautiful,” she says in a bit of awe that makes me want to puff out my chest. I want her to like it. Maybe then she’ll want to stay. Forever.
I know I shouldn’t be thinking of things like this with all that she’s been through. But I can’t help but be drawn to her. I don’t even know her that well, but I somehow know she was meant for me.
The house is modern with a rustic country style feel. At least that’s what my sister called it. It’s big, more than I would ever need with five bedrooms and a handful of bathrooms, but it was the location that got me. Half the bedrooms sit empty at the moment. Mainly the upstairs since the master is on the main level. I hardly ever go upstairs.
When I first bought the place, I never really thought about bringing a woman home to it one day. I liked the idea of my brother being close. Now my sister Ollie is actually building out here too. I thought it would be more convenient than anything but still have some privacy.
Plus, my siblings Ollie and Kane often help me with Buttons and Dino when I’m out of town. They’ve been popping in to check on them while I’ve been at the hospital with Bunny.
“Stay put,” I tell her before I hop out and round the truck to open the door for her. I offer her my hand. She takes it. I help her down, guiding her toward the front door.
“Code is 3525,” I tell her, punching it into the keyless lock.
“That’s neat.” She gives me a smile as I open the door and go for the alarm next.
“I can disengage the alarm with my phone, but if you need to use the pad you can do that too. It’s 5253.”
“The key code but backwards?”
“Yep.” I show her a few more things on the alarm, wanting her to know how to fully use it in case she needs to. Anything that protects her better I want to put into place. Her feeling safe here is my top priority. With all the uncertainness in her life, I want this to be her safe place.
“I think I got it.” When she bites her bottom lip, I know she’s not a hundred percent sure.
“We’ll go over it again. That was just a quick run-down.” She nods. “Let me give you a tour. There’s not much upstairs but extra bedrooms.” I motion toward the stairs before I lead her around the main floor.
“This place is as pretty on the inside as the outside.”
“Glad you like it, but we have one more stop.” I open the door to lead to the garage, where the washing machine and dryer are, along with an area I made just for Dino. “Stay down,'' I tell Dino when I get the door fully open.
He jumps to his feet. His tail is going a mile a minute. “Oh gosh, he’s giant!” Bunny pushes her body into mine. Her softness melts into me like she belongs there. I wrap my arm around her.
“This is Dino. He’s a St. Bernard. He’s a big boy, but he’s a sweetheart. It’s Buttons you have to worry about. He can be an asshole.”
“Buttons?” I pull her into the room a few steps for her to see the massive fluffy gray cat lounging on the top of his tower. He doesn’t look the least bit excited to see that I'm home. He doesn’t even bother to open his eyes. When it comes to his naps, Buttons doesn’t fuck around.
“He’s giant too! For a cat at least.”
“I have no clue where Buttons came from, but he showed up and moved himself right in. Dino loves him even though Buttons bullies him most of the time.”
“Really?” She giggles. “That cat bullies this hundred-pound dog?”
“Dino was a buck seventy-five last time I checked.” Bunny’s eyes widen. Dino whimpers at me saying his name, wanting his pets. He hasn’t moved from his spot since I ordered him not to.
“Can I pet him?” she asks.
“Better. He’s about to start crying if you don’t.”
“Don’t cry.” She shuffles over toward him. I want to reach out and snag her and pull her back. My body immediately misses her being pressed against it, but I don’t.
After she pets Dino a few times, seeing he’s sweet, she drops to her knees and gives him even more love. Buttons sits up, watching for a moment before he too is jumping down, wanting her attention. I can’t believe he woke from his nap for her to pet him.