Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
I put down my coffee mug with a wink. “Maybe I’ll start stealing your panties so often, you’ll get so sick of needing to replace them, you’ll invite me to stay overnight, even when Drew is home, if only to save yourself the hassle.”
Selena giggles. “Silly man. Wouldn’t you prefer to stay overnight more often because I’m emotionally ready to take that next step with you, rather than because you’ve worn me down by constantly pilfering my undergarments?”
“My love, I’ll do whatever I have to do to get where I’m going. I’m relentless. A man on a mission.”
She playfully arches an eyebrow. “I must admit, you’re sexy when determined.”
“And you’re sexy when you breathe.”
She laughs. Thankfully, she hasn’t looked the least bit annoyed throughout this entire exchange, even though I’ve now impliedly revealed my not-so-secret endgame: to one day live here with her. To be her life partner. To never have to sleep another night alone in my bed, away from her. As far as I’m concerned, Selena can take all the time she needs to get there with me. Contrary to what I just said, I do, in fact, only want her to invite me to live with her when she’s ready to take that step. But she looks so receptive to this line of playful banter, I can’t help pushing the envelope a bit to discover where her current limits might be.
“Careful what you wish for, Grayson-hopper,” Selena says flirtatiously. “Thus far, you’ve only seen a curated version of me. I’m the woman who shows up for our dates in a glamorous puff of smoke, fulfills all your fantasies—”
“And then some.”
“And then disappears for a few days, always leaving you wanting more.”
“Always. I want it all, baby.”
“So you think. But the only thing you’re missing out on, really, is the boring stuff. When I’m not with you, I’m doing laundry and grocery shopping. I’m sitting in my office for hours on end, working hard. I’m going to Drew’s various games and shuttling him around.”
I put down my mug. “Okay, you’ve convinced me. it. I could never be with someone who does laundry and shuttles a kid and sits in her office for hours on end, working hard. Jesus. You’re a monster.”
She rolls her eyes. “All I’m saying is that, as we move into this next phase of our relationship, we should take it slow, in case whatever new information we both discover creates any hiccups. I’m not always as fun as I am when I’m around you, Grayson. In my real life, I get stressed out. Cranky. Sometimes, I get pissed at Drew for not doing his chores or leaving food out in the kitchen. I get frazzled about deadlines for work.”
“Monster.”
“Oh, and I get horrible menstrual cramps the first day of my period and only want to stay in bed all day with a heating pad, watching rom coms.”
“I like rom coms.”
“The point is we need to take this at a pace that leaves room for both of us to discover and acclimate to whatever unexpected character traits or flaws we don’t yet know about.”
I exhale. “Okay. All that stuff you mentioned—grocery shopping and laundry and shuttling Drew around? It’s the stuff I physically crave to do with you, every bit as much as I crave to eat your pussy.”
Selena furrows her brow and flashes me a look of incredulity.
“Okay, almost as much.”
She laughs. “Let’s keep things real, sweetheart. No bullshitting at this table allowed.”
I lean back in my chair. “You want to keep things real?”
“I do. I want full honesty.”
“Okay.” I choose my words for a long moment. “Whatever you need to do to feel good about taking the next step with me—which to me would mean making this relationship a full-blown, full-time, lifelong partnership without limitations or compartmentalization—then that’s great with me. If I hurry or pressure you, if I push you to go faster than you’re ready to do, then this relationship won’t work out in the end. So, that’d be a stupid move on my part. I’m well aware that slowly is the fastest way to get where I want to be.”
Her features melt. “You’re a diehard romantic, Grayson McKnight.”
“And you’re not.”
“No, I’m not. I’m in love with you. I’m the luckiest woman alive to have found you. But please don’t tie all your happiness to the word ‘forever’ just yet. Let’s take it a day at a time and enjoy this amazing love we feel for each other while we continue to learn even more about each other.”
I lean back in my chair. “Cool.”
“Don’t forget, I’ve got Drew to consider, and he’s already got enough chaos in his life.”
I nod. “I haven’t forgotten. I know your life has far more moving parts than mine.”
“If I had nothing but my own heart to consider, I’d probably invite you stay with me, every night of the week. Honestly, I physically ache whenever I’m away from you. I’ve never been happier than I was when I woke up this morning in my bed and saw your face on the next pillow.”