Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“Then why did you take the long path? That was four months ago.”
“Your dad was recovering; I wasn’t trying to send the man back into the hospital. Besides, I needed to keep you safe from the other families without the distraction of having you in my bed.”
“And now I’m safe?”
“I can’t say with one hundred percent certainty that they’ll back off, but I laid into Johnny, and maybe they saw how serious I was.”
“I believe so. We saw each other at school, and he refused to even speak to me.”
“That’s fucking good because I gave him a gentle warning to stay away.”
“Did you have to hit him in the first place?”
“Yes. He’d been warned before that day, and he hadn’t listened.”
“Oh.” She bites down on her pretty bottom lip. The vehicle comes to a stop, and my gate opens. We don’t say a word as we pull up to the front of the house. I can sense she’s nervous, and I can’t deny that I’m almost as worried as aroused. Fucking this up isn’t an option.
As much as I want to walk through the doors and carry her straight to our bedroom, we need to straighten out our relationship before I lose my head.
“Princess, let’s go inside.” I step out and take her hand, leading her inside where Carl smiles as Mistress runs out and jumps up my leg and then to Elsa as soon as she spots her. “Look—Mommy is home where she belongs, Mistress.” I bend down and pet the little puppy, earning excited tail wags and a couple hand licks.
“Should we take her for a walk?”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“Carl, we’ll be having the Martín family over for dinner.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll have dinner prepared by six. I’m glad to see you’re here, Elsa.”
“Thank you, Carl.”
“Yes, thank you. We’re going to take Mistress for a walk in the garden.”
“Yes, Sir.” He leaves us and we walk to the back and Mistress follows with her tiny paws and eager tail. Elsa runs after her and giggles so adorably. She drops to her butt and then tucks her legs under her hips, letting the dog run to her. They play together while I remove my suit jacket and set it on the patio chair, and then I grab some of her toys in the bin by the side of the house.
“Mistress, come here.” I squeeze the toy, and she comes running.
“She’s so fickle, isn’t she?”
“She loves her toys.”
“I think she loves you.”
“What’s not to love?” I tease.
“Let me get back to you on that,” she answers with a smirk before getting up off the ground. I swoop her up before she’s fully standing.
“What did you say, Princess?” I tickle her waist.
“Nothing. I swear.” She giggles and then Mistress comes to her defense, yelping at my feet. “Don’t worry, baby girl. Daddy’s not hurting Mommy.”
“Not yet. Mommy’s going to be yelling Daddy’s name tonight.”
“Not sooner?”
“No. As much as I want to spread you out like a meal and then fill you up so deep, I don’t want your parents to arrive before we’ve finished.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh.”
“How am I going to stay here without my things?”
“Since you don’t go back to school until Monday, we’ll go back tomorrow and get your clothes.”
“But there is something that’s yours.” I drop down to one knee. “Elsa, I’m in love with you, and thankfully it didn’t take me too long to realize it. I’m so grateful I didn’t realize it sooner. What I’m saying is…will you marry me?”
“I think you’re a little late…”
“Woman…okay, I’m answering it for you. We already have a little puppy together. It’s a sealed deal. Enough said.” I slide the ring on her finger and then pull her in for a kiss.
“I suppose since we do share custody, it’s probably for the best.” The smile on her face couldn’t be wider.
“I love you, Elsa.” She kisses my chin and then my lips tenderly until we’re lost in each other’s arms.
A low yelping yawn comes from my feet, and I look down to see our puppy curling between us. “Looks like someone is tired.”
“Yes, it does.”
“Let’s take her inside and wash up.” She picks up the sleepy pup, and I press my hand to the small of her back as we walk back inside. We wash our hands, and then I lead her into the family room. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
“So, I need you to understand something, Elsa.”
“What is it?”
“I want us to be together, and I’m not just talking about dating. I’m looking forward to forever with you. I understand that you have dreams to be a forensic scientist.”
“Are you…”
“Hold on. I’m not trying to stop you from becoming one. Not at all. I’m just saying there may be some bumps in the road along the way.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”