Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
My gaze flicks to the empty doorway again. “Yes, well, she was certainly pretty.”
The second the words shoot out of my mouth, I want to shove them back inside where they belong. My wide eyes dart to River.
“You were jealous.” The slow smile spreading across his face turns into more of a delighted grin.
“No, I wasn’t.” My cheeks feel like they’re on fire. “It was more of an observation.”
“Oh, you were definitely jelly,” he murmurs, a wicked glint igniting in his eyes as he steps closer. “Lucky for you, I think it’s sexy as hell.”
I open my mouth to deny it before slamming it shut again.
The man is right.
I was jealous.
River swallows up the gap between us with a few sure strides before slipping a finger beneath my chin and guiding my face upward until my eyes can lock on his. “By now, you should know there’s nothing for you to worry about. There’s only one woman I want… and she just so happens to be standing right in front of me.”
My heart flipflops.
His hand falls away. Then, like it’s the most natural thing in the world, he retraces his steps and leans down, scooping Nora into his arms before heading for the door.
“Hey!” I call out after him once I’m able to wrap my lips around words. “You need to stop buying her so many toys!”
He glances over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his mouth as amusement flickers in his eyes. “Oh, she’s not the only one I bought toys for.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
Instead of answering, he disappears around the corner with Nora giggling in his arms, leaving me rooted in place, pulse tripping over itself.
“What does that mean?” I call after him.
But there’s no reply.
Just the sound of his low laughter mixing with Nora’s delighted squeals. And for some reason, it settles deep inside me, locking into place like it was always meant to be there.
28
River
Nora has been sacked out for fifteen minutes now. She was so tired that she didn’t even put up a fight at bedtime. She just melted against my chest and whispered something about Gaffy before drifting right off.
I couldn’t help but stare down at her peaceful little form for a handful of minutes before returning to the bedroom. In the middle of the mattress sits a small black bag.
It’s unassuming.
There aren’t any ribbons or flashy packaging to disclose what it is or where it came from.
And yet, it’s making me sweat. I scrub a hand over the back of my neck and rethink my decision for the dozenth time.
What if I misread the situation?
What if she thinks this crosses a line?
What if it sends her running?
After gradually chipping away at her walls and earning her trust, that would gut me.
This isn’t some kind of move, and it’s not about sex.
Hell, it’s not even about me.
It’s about her.
Callie gives everything she has to the people around her. Nora, her parents, friends, customers at the bakery. And she never asks for anything in return.
She just keeps going.
Keeps sacrificing.
Keeps putting herself last.
Maybe I’ve wanted her for far longer than I should’ve. Maybe it’s selfish of me to want her to see herself the way I do. But she deserves to know she’s more than what everyone expects her to be.
This gift is a reminder of that.
A reminder that she matters. That she’s allowed to want things. To feel good and take up space. Even when no one’s watching.
Especially when no one’s watching.
The sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway has my pulse spiking. Callie steps into the room, and her gaze immediately drops to the bag on the bed.
She stops short as her brows draw together. “What’s that?”
I swallow and nod toward the gift. “Why don’t you open it and find out?”
She hesitates for a second or so before cautiously stepping forward. It’s like she expects something to jump out at her. After settling on the edge of the bed, she lifts the bag into her lap. Her gaze darts to me before she opens it, pulling back the tissue paper carefully and then lifting out the sleek black box.
There isn’t a label or instructions.
She glances at me with curiosity before removing the lid.
That’s all it takes for her to go motionless. “River…”
“Told you I bought some toys,” I say gently.
“There’s more?” Her voice comes out strangled.
“Yup.”
She stares down at the wand, not daring to touch it. “I don’t… I don’t need this.”
I sit beside her, close but not smothering, and slip my fingers beneath her chin until she has no choice but to meet my gaze.
“Yes, you do.” My thumb brushes over her skin. “It has nothing to do with need and everything to do with your pleasure belonging to you. It should never hinge on someone else’s willingness to give it. You deserve to feel good whenever you want.”