Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Whose sweatshirt is that?” he asked in a voice filled with possessive intent.
“Huh? Oh, uh, it was my brother’s. Why? Is there something wrong with it?”
“Ahh, no. Can I come in?”
“Sure, come in.” She shut the door behind him. He had a tray with two coffees as well as a bag all in one hand.
“Aren’t you going to lock the door?”
“What? It will be fine.”
“Gracen, lock the door,” he commanded.
“Okay,” she said slowly. He was in a very grouchy mood this morning. “Did you not get enough sleep?”
“I got enough. I don’t need a lot, why?” He put the tray and the bag on her small table. It only had seating for two, which was fine since she was the only one who ever sat at it. And most of the time she ate while sitting on the couch and watching TV. That’s if she even managed to find the time to sit and eat.
“You just seem a bit grumpy this morning.”
He moved toward her, staring down at the sweatshirt. “Your brother’s? He gave it to you?”
“Yeah, he, uh, he died a few years back. And I stole this out of his closet. It makes me feel close to him when I wear it.”
He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “Shit.”
“What is it?”
“I was going to tell you that I didn’t want you wearing any man’s clothing, except mine, not even your brother’s. But now that would make me a complete asshole.”
“Yeah, it really would. It makes you uncomfortable?” She wasn’t quite sure why it would.
“Not uncomfortable, no. It’s just if I see you in any man’s clothing I want it to be mine.”
“Hmm, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think we’re the same size.” She winked at him.
He cupped his hand around the side of her face. “No. But I like our size difference.”
She ran her gaze over him. “Me too. I’ll go get changed.” And that would give her a chance to comb her hair and brush her teeth.
“No, I . . . I want you to have that connection to your brother. I’m sorry he died.”
“Me too.”
He sighed. “I’m close to my brothers and sister, I couldn’t ever imagine losing one of them.” He crouched down to look directly into her eyes. “Keep the sweatshirt on. Okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Seems I’ve started the morning off wrong. What I should have said was good morning, beautiful.”
Dear Lord.
How was he so perfect?
And how the heck could he think she looked beautiful? Especially right now?
“Have you had your eyesight checked lately?” she blurted out without thinking about it.
His eyes narrowed and he straightened. Grabbing hold of her chin, he gently tilted her head back. “Are we going to start the morning off with a spanking?”
“What? No. Nope. That does not sound like a good way to start the day. I just . . . well, I haven’t brushed my hair or washed my face or . . .”
“I don’t care about any of that.” Leaning down, he kissed her lips.
“Brushed my teeth,” she finished. “And you just kissed me.”
“Come on, sit down. You can get ready after you’ve eaten. Unless you’ve had breakfast?”
“I’ve had two cups of coffee. Does that count?”
“It does not,” he replied firmly. He pulled out her chair for her to sit. Out of the bag, he produced some bagels along with little pots of various types of cream cheese.
“Oh, yum. Bagels. I’ll get some knives.”
“I’ll get them. See if your coffee is to your liking.” He checked the lids of the cups, then handed her one.
She sipped at it then moaned. Whoops. That was embarrassing.
“Good?” he asked, sounding amused.
“So good.”
He returned with two knives, then took a seat in her other chair. It wobbled and he quickly stood.
“Oh, shoot! I don’t sit very much at the table, and I forgot one of the chairs is broken. Are you all right?” she asked worriedly.
“One of your chairs is broken?”
“Well, not completely broken.” She stood and came around. “You just have to sit on the very edge of it. Here, I’ll swap with you. The other chair is all good.”
He gave her an incredulous look. “You are not sitting in a broken chair. What if it collapses under you?”
“It will be fine. I’ve fallen off it before.”
He shook his head, then picked up the chair and put it by the door. “We’ll put it in the dumpster on the way out.”
“But then I’ve only got one chair. I suppose we can eat while sitting on the sofa.” She had been meaning to get rid of that chair. It wasn’t like anyone ever used it.
Walking back over to her, he held out his hand. She slid hers into his. Damn, she loved the feel of his hands. They might be her favorite part of him. Although after seeing his chest last night they had a close contender.