Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Her vivid green eyes fill with tears. “But…really?”
“Really.”
“Why?”
“You’re worth changing everything, Haylo.”
She sucks in a tremulous breath, her tears overflowing. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I rasp into an impassioned kiss, my chest on the verge of bursting. “I’ll do everything in my power to show you how much.”
Minutes later, we’re in the luxurious hotel lobby checking into our suite. Haylo is tucked into my side, earning me envious looks from every bastard in the establishment. It’s obvious I’m going to ride her like a wild animal as soon as we’re behind closed doors. There’s no other way this plays out when she’s all over me, whining adorably in my ear for me to hurry.
When we’ve finally gotten the key, we wheel our carry-ons to the brass elevator, taking it up to the sixteenth floor. I’m relieved we haven’t crossed paths with her father yet, because I’m not in the right frame of mind for an argument. Not now. I want to be wrapped in Haylo’s smooth thighs, her wrists bound above her head while I rut her bareback. I’m going to make her tell me she loves me approximately a thousand times tonight. Again and again. I’ll never get sick of hearing that vow from her.
Impatient to get her naked, I fairly drag her off the elevator—
Coming face to face with her father. The nonplussed brunette to his left.
They’ve just disembarked from the elevator across from us, obviously heading to one of the rooms.
He starts, his eyes widening on his daughter in disbelief.
On reflex, I gather Haylo tight to my side, loving the way she comes so faithfully, resting her curled fist on the center of my chest.
“Well.” Phil clears his throat. “I didn’t expect to be confronted with this new reality quite so soon, but here we are.” He inclines his head at his daughter. “Haylo. It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Hi, Dad.”
Phil scratches his chin, appearing to gather his thoughts. “I had a lot of time to think on the flight here and…” He exhales swiftly, his attention zeroing in on me. “If I had to choose someone for my daughter, it would be someone exactly like you, Joel. Do I think she’s too young for you? Hell yes. But…I won’t lose a minute of sleep worrying about Haylo, now that she’s with you. If she’s safe and happy, then I guess that’s what matters.”
“I am,” Haylo says, looking up at me. “I’m happy and safe and in love.”
For a few beats, I forget there is anyone in the room, except me and her. My fucking heart is ready to pound out of my chest, and I know without a doubt that I’ll be mentally writing my wedding vows on the plane ride back to Nashville tomorrow. “I’ll be thanking God for the rest of my life that you sent me to that parents' weekend, Phil,” I say, wrapping Haylo in my arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“And for the rest of my life, I’ll probably be kicking myself for not going,” Phil says dryly. “Haylo, uh…”
She keeps her loyal eyes on me, even when her father addresses her.
My balls throb in response.
That’s a good girl.
“I’m sorry. Not only for missing an important weekend at the sorority, but for all the important moments I missed growing up, trading time with you for women.” He flicks a look at his date. “I don’t even remember half of their names now.”
The woman rears back in disgust and walks away in a huff, taking the stairwell down.
Phil sighs, watching his date disappear. “I thought I had time to make it up to you, Haylo, but…you grew up so fast.”
She jolts in my arms slightly, her dreamy expression vanishing at those words, replaced by something equal parts nervous and lustful. They’re the same words I said to her at her apartment during that private and revealing moment.
“We’re going to turn in for the night, Phil,” I say, my cock stretching the material of my briefs. “Thank you. For what you said. I’m going to take good care of her.”
“I know.”
He steps forward, holding out his hand.
Keeping hold of Haylo with one arm, I shake his extended hand with the other.
“I mean what I said. Send her records and certificates. Any bills you’re paying on her behalf.” Looking the other man in the eye, I stroke her long blonde hair. “She’s my full responsibility now.”
Phil nods. “I understand. There’s a new man in her life.”
“That’s right.” I release his hand and begin guiding my future wife toward the hallway that leads to our suite. “Excuse us, Phil.”
“Bye, Dad,” Haylo says, flicking a brief and slightly conflicted glance back over her shoulder, before retraining those green eyes on me, where they belong.
“I think I’ll turn in, too,” Phil says, following us at a distance down the corridor.