Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I’d forgotten how soft her lips are, what her hair felt like between my fingers, the way she gives in so easily to letting me lead. Skimming one hand down her back, I pull her tighter against me and deepen the kiss as she pushes closer, and she slides her hand around the back of my neck like she’s afraid I’ll pull away.
I wouldn’t, even if I could.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to see this,” I hear whispered, and hearing it too, Franny goes rigid in my arms.
Reluctantly, I rip my mouth from hers and turn to my open apartment door, finding Winter with her hands wrapped around Kingston’s forehead in a failed attempt to cover his eyes.
Fuck.
I tuck Franny’s face against my chest as she whimpers again, this time in distress.
“You two know you’re supposed to knock.” It’s difficult to keep the frustration out of my voice, but I try.
“We did,” Winter says, then adds, “We used the key when you didn’t answer, because we thought you weren’t home.”
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
“Dad needs to borrow some butter for cookies,” she tells me, while Kingston continues to try to get away from her.
“It’s in the fridge,” I tell them, and they rush toward the kitchen, with PJ—who is excited to see the two of them—hot on their heels.
I look down at Franny when I feel her tilt her head back to look up at me.
“Dayton?” she whispers, looking terrified but stunning with her lips swollen and her cheeks flush.
Fuck, I want to kiss her again.
Unable to help myself, I smooth my thumb over her bottom lip. “Molly is going to be here soon, and you need to go get ready.”
“But—”
“I’ll be down to get you at seven thirty,” I cut her off, hating the worry I see in her eyes. But there isn’t time right now to reassure her that everything will be okay. And I know that even if I tried, she wouldn’t believe me.
The situation between us is too delicate for words alone. It’s going to take time to win her and her trust and to make her believe that this can work—something that has become more and more clear over the last couple of weeks.
“Are you boyfriend and girlfriend now?” Kingston shouts across the apartment, and Franny’s eyes widen in horror.
“Oh my God,” she whispers, and I reluctantly loosen my hold on her and turn toward the kitchen.
“Did you find the butter?” I ask, and Kingston—who has PJ up in his arms hanging sideways, with his paws kicking at air while trying to find purchase—grins.
“I did.” Winter holds up the box while slamming the fridge door closed with her hip.
“All right, take it upstairs to your dad. He’s probably waiting on you two,” I tell her, and Kingston disappears behind the island as he sets PJ down.
Winter skips toward the door, singing, “Hi, Franny!”
“Uh… hey, sweetheart,” she replies, stepping away from me.
“Do you want us to bring you cookies after we make them?” my niece asks, looking between Franny and me with a bright smile that reminds me of her dad’s knowing one.
“We’ll be leaving soon, so we’ll come get some tomorrow,” I tell her, and her smile gets brighter.
“Cool. See ya!” She rushes out the door, and Kingston shouts a goodbye before following after her.
“She is totally going to tell your brother what she walked in on,” Franny says, watching the door close.
“Yep,” I agree, and she turns to face me.
“You need to tell him that she didn’t see what she thinks she saw.”
My brows shoot up. “You want me to make her look like a liar?”
“No.” Her shoulders slump.
“Don’t think about that right now,” I tell her, suddenly sorry for teasing her when she seems genuinely distressed.
“Don’t think about it?” she breathes, looking up at me with her eyes going wide again.
“You need to go meet Molly downstairs.”
“Right. You’re right.” She looks around. “Do you know where my phone is?”
“In your hand.” I press my lips together to curb my grin.
Her eyes drop to it, and she shakes her head.
“Of course,” she grumbles, and try as I might, I can’t help but to laugh. She glares at me. “Is it funny to you that I apparently have to deal with pregnancy brain on top of everything else?”
“No,” I say as soberly as possible. I don’t laugh like I want to since I know that would just piss her off. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” I take her hand and lead her out of my apartment to the elevator, with PJ following. After pressing the button, I bend to pick him up so he doesn’t rush in after her when the doors open. He may be up and moving now, but she has enough to focus on tonight without trying to get ready with him underfoot.