Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“Sure, Papa.” Wyatt gave her another hug before climbing off her lap.
“I’m so sorry, Jeb,” Casey said quickly.
He turned her in his lap so he could look down at her. But her gaze was lowered, her shoulders hunched.
Grasping hold of her chin, he tilted her head back. “Hey, what’s all this? Why are you saying sorry?”
“Because I didn’t protect Wyatt. From the rumors. From Megan. He ran off on me twice. And I didn’t text that we were on our way home.”
“Look at me. Properly,” he said firmly.
She stared into his eyes.
“Do I look like I’m upset?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“All right. I am. But not with you or Wyatt. I’m angry at Billy’s dad for spreading rumors. And at Megan for being a bitch. I’ll take care of them both. I’m also fucking furious at your father.”
“But not at me?” she asked.
Moving his hand around to the back of her neck, he held her still as he kissed her. “Not at you, baby. When I saw you huddled over my son, protecting him, even though you were terrified, that’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?” she whispered.
“That I’m not letting you go, Casey Reynolds. Not now. Not ever.”
“W-what?”
“I was trying to keep some distance between us. To deny my feelings for you because I was scared of getting hurt again. Of losing you. But the truth is, if I let you leave I’d be fucking miserable for the rest of my life. Because you’re it for me, baby. My girl. Stay? Turn my life into chaos and sunshine for the rest of my life?”
A sob escaped her and she buried her face into his chest.
“You weren’t supposed to get upset. Is that yes or no?”
She leaned back, her cheeks wet with tears. “You’re sure?”
“Do I ever say anything I don’t mean?”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. And my answer is yes!”
“What’s going on?” Wyatt asked, walking in. “Why is Casey crying?”
“Come here, son.” Jeb gestured at Wyatt who moved closer, watching them warily. “You want Casey to stay? To be ours?”
“Yes, but Megan said she’s gonna leave,” Wyatt said.
Casey snorted. “Megan doesn’t tell me what to do.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened. “You’re staying?”
Casey grinned. “Try to make me leave.” Her grin faded. “Are you sure you’re all right with this, though, Wyatt? With me living here for good? Being your papa’s girlfriend?”
“Okay with it? Nope.” He shook his head. “I love it! I love you!”
“Love you too, sugar,” she said. “And you as well, Jeb Wilder.”
“Just like I love you, Casey Reynolds.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Later that night, after a dinner of grilled cheese and putting Wyatt to bed together, Jeb carried her up to his bedroom.
“You don’t need to carry me,” she told him.
“Hush, baby. I want to carry you.” He sat her down on the side of the bed and crouched in front of her. He took her hands in his. “I want you to sleep with me. In here. Tonight and every night. Understand?”
She nodded, her heart racing.
“That doesn’t mean that there is any pressure for sex or anything else. We’re moving at your pace.”
“What if my pace is that I want sex? Right now.”
Jeb cleared his throat. “I’d probably remind you that you’ve been through a lot today and that maybe you should take a moment to think this through.”
“I don’t want a moment,” she said. “I want to do this now. Please. I want . . . I want to feel you touch me. I want you to show me how good it can feel. I want to have sex with you, Jeb Wilder.”
There. She couldn’t say it any plainer, right?
“And I want that with you, baby.” He stood and drew her up against him, kissing her.
A moan escaped her as she pressed herself close. “But I also need a shower.”
“So do I.” He grinned. “Guess we’ll just have to save time and have one together.”
Lifting her, he carried her into the bathroom. Setting her down on her feet, he started stripping her slowly. Every so often, he’d stop to check in with her, as though he was concerned he was going too fast or that she would change her mind.
But she wasn’t going to do that.
Standing back, he looked her over. She attempted to strike a pose. “Like what you see?”
Okay. She probably looked ridiculous.
“I more than like what I see, baby. I love it,” he told her huskily. “Turn around for me.”
She spun and heard him groan. Turning back, she saw the hunger in his gaze and lost any lingering concerns.
“Turn the shower on, baby,” he commanded as he started to strip.
Casey jolted into action, moving quickly so she could watch him strip. Her mouth went dry as she stared at him.
Wow.
Just wow.
He was gorgeous. His skin was tanned from hours spent outside and muscles rippled in his arms and stomach.