Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I watched as he drank his wine and conversed with my father, and my blood began to boil. He was so elegant, so sophisticated, so cultured, so fucking charming…
“Did you grow up in New York?” I asked suddenly.
Both men turned to me, somewhat startled to hear me speak, and it was only then I realized I had most likely interrupted them. I was immediately horrified at being so engrossed in my own world and fantasies about him that I had ignored basic human manners.
"I'm so sorry," I apologized. "Dad, I'm so sorry, did I cut you off?"
My father laughed, but he looked at me strangely. “No, sweetie, you didn’t. You’re so quiet I’m sometimes startled when you speak.” He turned to Cole. “She’s like that, you know. She gets lively, then goes mute for a period of time, thinking, contemplating, and watching. It's interesting, because...”
"Dad, there’s nothing interesting about going silent after talking too much," I protested because I was embarrassed.
But Cole was having none of it. "I completely understand you, Noah. Everything Anya does is interesting to me too. I think our personalities are quite similar and I absolutely love that."
My dad went quiet. “You’re a good man, Cole. I’m glad you came to our town.” Then he turned and gave me a soft, kind smile that genuinely brought tears to my eyes. It’s been so long since he had looked at me like that. I had to look away to collect myself.
"You grew up in New York?" my dad asked.
Cole nodded.
"What do you do for a living, Cole?"
"I’m an accountant.”
“So you’ll be needing new clients…”
He cut a bit of meat. “I guess so.”
“Are you good at what you do?”
“The best.” He said it simply the way one would state a fact.
My father must have believed him, because he said, “Our accountant is retiring next year. You can have us as your client if you want. We’ll give it a year and take it from there.”
Cole nodded. “Sure. Why not?”
“Good.” My dad rose to his feet and tapped down on his stomach. “I think I need to take a nap, I'm a bit drowsy.”
"It's the wine," I said, and he gave me a look.
"Most probably. I’ll help you clean up when I get up. See you later."
"Happy sleeps, Dad," I said.
He nodded and turned to Cole. "It was a great pleasure hosting you today, Mr. Swift." He offered his hand for a shake, and Cole earnestly accepted it.
"The pleasure was all mine," Cole said.
I couldn’t help but be amused as I watched the two of them. They sounded so formal and strict, and it was truly amusing. My dad left then, leaving me to my own devices, and I could almost have sworn it was on purpose.
Chapter 31
Cole
I didn’t want to waste the very blatant opportunity her father had given us both to be alone. I got up, found a bowl, put a brownie, as well as a scoop of ice cream in it, and handed it to Anya.
"Go enjoy this out on the porch with Tolstoy. I’ll come and get you when this mess is cleared up," I said.
She grinned happily and hurried out through the back door. The moment it was shut, I turned to look at the woman standing before me.
"Successfully gotten rid of all external parties, I see?"
I laughed and started helping her gather the dirty dishes. "One of the joys of being a parent is never having to clear up, especially when you cook dinner. Too bad I won't get to enjoy that from Anya today. All because of you."
Her mouth opened. "You're blaming me? I'm not the one who sent her out to share her dessert with the cat.”
"But we need to be alone, don't we?" I asked. “Even if it’s just doing the dishes.”
She said nothing and silently we cleared the table and she joined me at the sink. Soon enough, all the dishes were done, and the rubbish bag was tied and ready to be taken out to the trash can.
"What next, Montana?" I asked.
She shrugged. “You tell me.”
“About time we talked, huh?”
I held her gorgeous Montana gaze. "How about we skip the talking and … um … have some fun one more time?"
I was surprised to hear this, but at the same time, curious as to why she would say that. She read my expression and instantly provided an answer.
"I don't know, I feel as if you're not really ready for something serious right now, and I don’t want to force or trick you into anything you’re not 100% into. I don’t do casual relationships, but that one time with you ... apparently wasn’t enough to get you out of my system, so I’m proposing maybe we hook up and fuck like rabbits until we don’t want to anymore."
I grinned at her. She couldn’t have said anything more perfect. Little sweetheart had no idea that I had plans for her, for us. I couldn’t tell her yet, but the day would come when I would claim her for my own. She was already mine. She just didn’t know it yet.