Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I don’t really do the casual thing.”
“Then why do this?”
“Because I like you. I like the time we’ve spent together.” My belly flops at his confession and the look on his face. He’s not playing. This is what he wants.
“Let’s start with hanging out. I’m not… this is crazy, Declan.”
“Just me?”
“What do you mean?” I’m being coy, and we both know it.
“I’ll agree to hanging out, but I don’t want you hanging out with any other guys while you’re here.”
“Are you one of those possessive types?” I don’t hate it, but I can’t let him know that. I refuse to let him know that even though internally I’m screaming yes at the top of my lungs.
“No. Well, I haven’t been in the past.”
“Oh, I see how it is. You’re getting greedy in your old age,” I tease.
“I’m six years older than you,” he reminds me.
“Is that gray?” I lift my hands to run my fingers through his hair.
“Funny girl.” He pulls me closer. “Me and you, Kens. While you’re here, it’s you and me.”
“And what am I getting out of this deal?” My heart races. In fact, it’s thumping so loudly I’m sure that he can hear it.
“Me.”
“Meh.” I scrunch up my nose, and he tosses his head back in laughter.
“I’m not letting you leave until you agree.”
“You mean I get to spend the night with a man who treats his little girl like a princess and wants all my time? That’s not very threatening.”
“Kennedy.”
“Oh, the full name.” I pretend to shiver in fear, but my grin that matches his gives me away. “Yes, Declan Kincaid. I’d love to spend more time with you. Just… don’t break my heart. Okay?”
“Never.” There is so much conviction in his voice I almost believe him. However, I know the truth. I agree to a short-term friendship, or whatever you want to call it, with a man who is not a short-term anything. I can already feel the first crack in my fragile heart, but I’m not going to let that stop me. I want this for me. I deserve to spend some time with a man. It’s time that I stop waiting for things to happen and start living. This is my time away to cleanse my life of my past.
I’ll move back home in a couple of months and take the first steps to make my dreams come true. Being a mom.
“I should go.”
“Be safe. I’ll walk you out.”
“You don’t have to do that. You already went out in the cold to start my car.” He gives me a look telling me I’m being ridiculous for thinking he shouldn’t walk me and opens the door.
When we reach my car, he turns me and places a soft kiss on my cheek. “Don’t forget to text me.”
“I don’t want to wake Blakely.”
“You won’t.”
“Night, Declan. Thank you for dinner and for your company.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Uh, nothing that I know of. Unless Grandma has plans for me.”
“Let me know. I want to see you.”
“We’re really doing this, huh?”
“Yeah, Kens, we’re really doing this.” He pulls open my door and waits for me to be settled inside and strapped in before closing the door and stepping back.
I wave, but I’m not sure he can see me since it’s dark. I back out of the driveway and smile all the way back to my grandma’s place. Tonight turned out not at all as I expected. I’m giddy with the idea of getting to spend more time with him.
When I walk into the house, I hear the TV on, and I hope that she’s asleep in the chair. Walking into the living room quietly, I stop when I see Grandma sitting in her recliner with a big ole grin on her face.
“What’s that?” I point toward her face.
“What?” She feigns innocence.
“That grin. What’s with the grin? You hiding a man in here or something?” I’m pushing the heat from her to me. At least I’m attempting to. I know my grandma too well to know that she’s not going to fall for it.
“Oh, my dear granddaughter, I wouldn’t hide him.” She winks, and I can’t stop the laughter that bubbles up in my chest.
“I have no doubt.” I smile at her, taking a seat on the couch.
“So how was dinner?”
“Good. We had chicken tenders from the deli, macaroni and cheese, and applesauce.”
“Sounds like a meal planned with a little girl in mind.”
“Most definitely. He’d already promised her. He offered something else, but I insisted he not change his plans.”
“And it was good?”
“Yeah, I mean nothing fancy, but it was good.”
“And Declan?”
“He was good too. He and his daughter, who was there, was also good,” I say, as a reminder that tonight nothing happened. Well, not nothing, but nothing like her perverted mind is alluding to.
“Tell me everything.” There is so much excitement in her voice. I hate to disappoint her.