Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
"Fuck," Ash mutters, his head drooping. "If the baby isn't a bookworm like you, I'm going to lose it, Loralei."
"You won't," I say softly, stepping up beside him to sink my hand into his hair. "You're just worried, Ash. But you aren't going to lose it."
He tips his head back, his wide eyes meeting mine. "She's already too fucking talented, baby. And she's headstrong. And stubborn."
"She's just like you."
"Yeah," he groans through a laugh. "I am not prepared for her to take the world by storm."
"She's only three, Ash. You have plenty of time to prepare her not to make the same mistakes you did if she decides music is a future she wants to pursue." I tug on his hair, smiling at him. "And I know you'll do it because you love her too much to let her risk passing out behind a wheel with no memory of how she got there."
He swallows hard, regret glinting in his eyes. "I still hate that I ended up there."
"I know, but you aren't there now. You're here with us. You've been sober for nineteen years." I tug gently on his hair again. "You have me, and Demi, and Gage, and a whole future of writing music, arguing with Jazz, and stalking me at the library. You're good now."
He's been good for a long time. Sometimes, I think that's what scares him. He loves every minute of his life, and he never wants to do anything to screw it up. He works hard to ensure he never does, but I know he still worries about it, the same way anyone who has ever drowned themselves at the bottom of a bottle worries.
He stares at me for a long moment before hooking his arms around my waist and slowly lowering me down until I'm straddling him right there in the kitchen. "You're so fucking smart, baby," he breathes, his lips brushing mine. "How'd I get so lucky?"
"Simple." I loop my arms around his neck, clinging to him. "You almost ran me over in a storm, kidnapped me, then held me hostage in a cabin."
He buries his face in my throat, his body vibrating with laughter. "Is that how we're telling the story now?"
"Yep," I whisper, nipping at his throat. "Sounds way dirtier this way, doesn't it?"
"Mmhmm." He grabs my ass, grinding me against him. "Especially if you leave in the parts about chasing you through the woods, fucking you against a tree, and licking that tasty little asshole on top of your rental…"
"Those are my favorite parts," I moan softly, pulling his hair to get his mouth on mine.
"I know," he chuckles against my lips. "But you're my favorite part, Loralei. Always will be."
I melt against him, my whole body going soft.
God, I love this man. More and more every damn day.