Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Your mother was always trying to get me fat.” Dalton waited for the grief that was never far away to hit him again, only this time it didn’t. It just brought back happiness at the remembrances of her cooking his favorite foods and filling the counter and cabinets with tempting treats.
“She wanted to keep you fat and happy, so you wouldn’t stray. She was a little jealous in nature.”
“Yes, she was.” He remembered the fights they would get into if he casually glanced at another woman. He didn’t mind because their fights always ended with them in bed. Grace moved beside him to put the Pop-Tarts in the cabinet when her eyes locked on his neck.
“Is that a hickey?”
His hand automatically went to his neck where T.A. had been nuzzling.
“I must have nicked myself when I was shaving.”
Her doubting expression turned amused. “That’s not a nick; it’s a hickey.” Laughter spilled into the kitchen as Dax, T.A., and Ice came through the door.
“What’s so funny?” Dax asked as T.A. set her bag on the counter, taking the box of brownies out.
“Dad has a hickey.” Grace laughed, pointing at his neck.
“It’s a nick.” Dalton tried to raise his collar to cover the spot.
“Looks like a hickey to me too,” Dax agreed, taking one of the brownies out.
“Me too,” Ice voiced his opinion as he took one of the bigger brownies for himself. A smile broke the façade that had been in place since his arrival.
“What do you think, T.A?” Grace asked, gurgling with laughter at his embarrassment.
He gave T.A. warning look, which she ignored with a shrug of her shoulders as she snatched the last brownie from the pack, placing it in her mouth before going to the trash to throw the empty container away.
She provocatively swayed toward him as she removed the brownie. He swallowed hard when she took a bite. She studied the spot critically before turning to the others in the kitchen waiting for her reaction.
“It’s a hickey. Can I have some milk?”
Dalton’s eyes went to the empty bag on the counter as the whole room filled with laughter. Reaching into his coat pocket, he handed the keys to Dax.
“You go. I’m lactose intolerant.”
“No, you’re not.”
Dodging the dishtowel that Grace threw at him, Dalton went to the cabinet for the Pop-Tarts.
“I am now.”
22
“Looks like it’s going to snow.”
T.A. looked up from the computer to stare out of the salon window. The dreary day would have depressed her a few weeks ago. Now, she was looking happily forward to each snow flurry forecasted.
“Dalton coming in tonight?” Sex Piston asked, moving away from the window.
“Yes, it’s the deal. I spent Christmas with him. Tonight he’s going to keep me nice and warm.”
“You lucky bitch!” Crazy Bitch said, coming from the back room with folded towels. “Only you would be lucky enough to cuff Dalton Andrews. Killyama talking to you yet?”
“Not since I stopped by on my way home last week to visit her to show off the Christmas present he gave me.” Raising her wrist, she jiggled the designer wristwatch Dalton had given her.
“You had to go out of your way thirty minutes coming and going to rub it in.”
“Yes, I did.” Her lips curled at the memory. The hour-long drive had been more than worth it. “She looked much better. Train said the morning sickness has eased off.”
T.A. moved from the counter to go to the waiting area to start sweeping the floor. She wanted to get off early, so she could have a warm meal waiting for Dalton when he arrived. Whistling as she swept, she looked up to see both women staring at her.
“What?”
Sex Piston shook her head at her in pity. “You’ve got it bad.”
“He’s going to break your heart like a drumstick.”
“Probably. But just the memories I’m going to tell my grandchildren one day will be worth it when they find out their grammy nailed a movie star.”
“You have to have kids first.” Crazy Bitch snorted, avoiding the broom to place half of the towels at her station.
“I’ll have them… eventually.”
“Not if you keep pinning your hopes on every dick that doesn’t have any intentions of getting serious with you.”
T.A. kept sweeping. “That didn’t keep Fat Louise and Killyama from catching their husbands. Cade and Train didn’t exactly chase after them. At least mine is cuffed to me for the winter.”
“Yeah, like that was a barrel of fun when you sat home alone on New Year’s.” Crazy Bitch placed the remaining towels at Sex Piston’s station.
“It didn’t snow.” She shrugged as if didn’t bother her. She had hoped that Dalton would ask her to spend New Year’s with him to further the image they were a couple, but he had flown to France right after leaving her in the airport.
After their drive to the grocery store, Dalton hadn’t spent much time alone with her, but he did act more flirtatious with her in front of his family. He was very demonstrative, offering anything she wanted or needed, creating the impression that they were developing a relationship.