Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“I thought you’d want to see your baby,” she bites out, her words like a strike of a snake. “You always did want to be a daddy.”
My blood curdles at her words. Yes, having a family was and still is a high life priority. But not with her. Not anymore.
“It’s not my baby, Mary Ellen. We both know that.”
She scoffs. “Are you saying I’m a whore who doesn’t know who the father is?”
“I’m saying we can both do simple math. We weren’t having sex. This isn’t an immaculate conception.”
“You’re still a cold, dead, emotionless fish. Thank God I divorced you.”
I’m the one who filed, but I don’t argue with her. “Nevertheless, the baby isn’t mine.”
“We’re still awaiting the paternity results.” She lifts her chin in defiance. “And when I’m proven right, you will pay child support, though I’m unsure how you’ll be able to afford it with this pathetic job of yours.”
I glare at her, refusing to answer. Maybe she’ll just go away.
“I found another stupid picture…oh.”
Mary Ellen whirls around at the same time I snap my head in the direction of our newcomer. Addison, with her long, flowing blond hair and innocent expression looks like my guardian angel come to save me from the devil herself.
Addison quickly crumples the photo in her fist and shoots me a worried look. Somehow, she knows who this woman is to me. And she’s worried. Like I said, my guardian angel.
“You’re interrupting an important conversation between me and my husband,” Mary Ellen says nastily to Addison. “School’s over, little girl.”
“Ex,” I bite out. “And you need to leave, Mary Ellen. Greenhouse Club starts right after school. If you need to discuss something with me, you have my lawyer’s number.”
Mary Ellen’s critical glare sweeps over Addison and she shakes her head in disgust. “Careful, Theo. Wouldn’t want you to become a pedophile statistic with all these pretty young things running around with their doe eyes just because your ego needs stroking…among other things.”
“OUT!”
Addison and Mary Ellen both flinch at my angry outburst. My ex-wife mutters something nasty under her breath but hurries away. If she sensed something between me and Addison, there’s no doubt she’s feeling inadequate. Addison is everything she’s not. Mary Ellen commands rooms she can be queen in. But Addison is angelic and otherworldly. A mere queen could never compare to that of which comes from heaven.
As soon as she’s gone, I deflate, relieved to be able to breathe again. Addison rushes over to me and throws her arms around me.
“Oh my God, she’s scary,” Addison says, breath tickling my neck. “No wonder you hate her. Evil woman.”
I run my nose along Addison’s cheek. So soft. Her touch brings me such fucking joy. Her voice. Her presence. Seeing the two women compared side by side is eye opening.
Addison pulls back to look at me, but our arms remain wrapped around each other.
“Another picture? Someone distributing them again?” I ask, frowning at her.
“Found it beside the trashcan,” she grumbles. “It’s fine. Today went a lot better than I expected.”
I lean my forehead against hers. “I missed you.”
“Missed you too.” She stands on her toes, bringing her mouth close to mine. “Does that mean you’ll actually kiss me now?”
Before I can consider the consequences, I press my lips to hers. She parts her mouth and a small moan of appreciation escapes. It’s all the encouragement I need to devour her. Her taste is divine and addicting. I love how tentative and unsure her tongue is against mine, like she’s trusting me to lead the way.
I’ll always take care of her and make sure she’s safe.
I slide my hand into her hair and caress the silky strands, angling her head just the way I want so I can kiss her deeply.
“Ow.”
A voice outside the greenhouse has Addison jerking away from me. I quickly clasp my hands in front of me, hiding my erection. When a girl with big glasses and messy hair enters, I’m a little confused. She rubs at her elbow.
“Is this a Greenhouse Club meeting?”
I recognize the girl from my third hour class. “It is. Welcome, Miss…”
“Hall. Mindy Hall.”
As much as I hate that me and Addison won’t be alone, I’m a little grateful that someone else is interested. There really is a lot of work to do and not enough hands.
“I’m Addison,” Addison says, waving to her. “Thank God. I thought I was the only one who thought this would be fun. We were just getting ready to plan for homecoming. I’m so excited you’re here!”
Mindy smiles at her and awkwardly makes her way over to my stunning girl. “You are?”
“We both are,” I assure her. “Come on. We’ve got work to do.”
Chapter 11
Addison
Ithink Mindy is the only person in this school who doesn’t know about my scandal. Or she’s just really polite and doesn’t mention it. Regardless, I like her and even got her number before she left.