Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Try me. You’re going to get out of that habit of thinking the worst about yourself until you see all the good I see in you.”
“Maybe you’re the one who is delusional. Did you ever think about that?” she huffs.
“That’s strike number two, Gabby. You going to push it and see what happens, or are you going to back down?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re very bossy?”
“It’s been mentioned,” he jokes, smiling at me.
“Jerk,” I grumble.
“Now, back to what I was saying—”
“I really don’t want to hear more about you spanking me,” I warn him.
“I screwed up. Shelby loved Mexican food. I just assumed you would. I wanted to make tonight special for you.”
“King,” I murmur, feeling a little overwhelmed.
“I screwed up. I’m sorry.”
“Stop it. Today has been beautiful. You’ve spent way too much money, but I love the outfit you bought me—not to mention the other two outfits back in the hotel.” He smiles at my words and somehow that makes me feel better. “I also do like tacos. So, we’re golden.”
“Okay, then if you could pick anywhere you want to go to eat, where would it be?”
“You have to promise not to tell my father.”
“I don’ think that will be an issue ever,” he mutters, making me giggle.
“Other than tacos or chips and salsa, I’m not big on the Mexican cuisine. Now, my family history is mostly from Spain, and I love paella. Still, if I get to choose, I’d go eat Italian.”
“Scandalous,” he laughs.
“You can’t beat chicken parmesan or a pizza.”
“I’ll make a note,” he quips.
“What about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your favorite food. If you could go anywhere to eat, what would you choose?”
“I don’t think I can tell you the answer to that,” he hedges.
“Why on earth not?”
“I’m trying really hard to impress you, and I’m pretty sure this would ruin all my hard work.”
“Who says I’ve been impressed at all?” I snicker.
“Damn, woman,” he laughs.
“C’mon spill, King.”
“There’s a hotdog stand in Virginia that has homemade hotdog sauce. It’s the best fucking footlong I’ve ever had in my life. They give you this huge bag of shoestring fries and splash this seasoning on them, like damn. They also make this ketchup from scratch. I don’t know what they do with it, but it’s damn good.”
I almost cackle as I listen to him. “So, we’re saying you’re addicted to dairy bar food?”
“Only if we’re talking footlong hotdogs,” he cautions.
“I don’t know if I can live up to some dive in Virginia, but I can make a pretty mean hotdog sauce.”
“The fuck you say,” he whispers, eyes twinkling.
I shrug. “That’s what I’ve been told.”
“Then, Sunshine, I’m going to invite you to rock my world.”
“It’s a deal.”
“Deal,” he murmurs, squeezing my hand.
We stare at one another. It could have been seconds, minutes, or an hour. I don’t really know. I’m lost in him. I’m beginning to think being lost in King is the safest place in the world to be.
Chapter 24
King
I thought the first night I kissed Gabby might have been one of the best of my life. Now, I’m convinced today is the best day. Spending the day spoiling her and then taking her out to dinner was so damn good. Better than that, it was easy. Hell, it was so fucking easy that it felt like it’s something I need to be doing for the rest of my life—and I mean need. As in, if I didn’t have this for the rest of my life, nothing would ever satisfy me.
That’s some heavy shit. It’s shit I never imagined feeling. You didn’t grow up the way I did and imagine being blessed with that feeling. I grew up knowing what I wanted and set about to create it. I don’t have to create anything with Gabby. This shit comes as natural as breathing.
“Are you ready to go tear up the casino now?” I ask her once dinner is over, and I pay the check.
“What would you do if I suggested we go back to the room and veg out in front of the television?” she suggests, looking at me nervously.
If I didn’t know she really needs to learn to pull herself out of the cage she’s put herself in, I’d agree. I can’t do that. It is now my job to make sure Gabby starts living again and finding the woman she’s turning into. I want a life with her and it’s up to me to guide her back to the land of the living, because if there’s one thing I know, Gabby’s hiding.
“I’d tell you we will do that.”
“Really?” she asks, her face practically lighting up. It’s almost enough to make me give in. Almost.
“Right after we waste some money in the casino,” I add.
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll play slots, but I’m not doing anything else. Numbers make my head hurt. I’m not smart enough for all that.”