Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Phoebe never wanted to leave.
But was she being selfish keeping him here when he was obviously busy. Just because she was hiding from the world didn’t mean he could or wanted to do the same.
He ended his call with a sigh, and she stood up from where she’d been trying to talk Snickerdoodle and Mr. Unicorn into a truce. They had been butting heads ever since they met.
Unicorns and horses. They either loved each other or it was war.
“Daddy?” she said quietly.
But he didn’t hear her. She cleared her throat and moved closer. “Um, Daddy?”
He glanced up at her like he’d never seen her before. Then he shook his head. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Did you need me? I shouldn’t be working, but I have a very needy client at the moment. Well, he wants something that I can’t give him right this minute. Sorry. What was up? Have Mr. Unicorn and Snickerdoodle been behaving? Or do I need to put them into timeout again?”
“Welll, they’re close to needing timeout, but I’ll give them a bit longer to start behaving themselves.” She gave the two toys a stern look. “But that wasn’t why I wanted to talk to you.”
He set his laptop to the side and held out his hand. She took it eagerly and he drew her onto his lap.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I don’t mean to interrupt your work—”
“No, you’re not interrupting my work. My work is interrupting our time together.” Frustration filled his face. “Truthfully, I’m thinking about cutting back.”
“You are?” she asked. “Will you be able to do that?”
“I have to get a few things wrapped up, but hopefully. Now, what was it?”
“Well, I was just going to say that I don’t want to keep you from your work. It seems important and like you have a lot going on, and I feel guilty that you’re stuck here with me.”
“Listen to me, little girl,” he said in a low, deep voice. “I am not ‘stuck’ anywhere. I am right where I want to be. Yes, I have a lot going on, but you are not second to my work. It should be second to you. I should’ve left my laptop in the room.”
“No, no, I’m not saying this to make you feel guilty for working. I’m saying… well, I’m not sure. Maybe that if you need to go back to your home… your job… that you should.”
He tensed and she could sense him withdrawing from her.
“And away from you?”
“What? No! I don’t want you to leave me. I was hoping I could come too.”
He stared at her.
“I mean, not move in with you. I could just come with you. Maybe I could stay close by. I’d have to drive Cherry so it would take me a few days to get to Connecticut, but… it was just an idea. Probably a silly one. I’m so sorry.” Phoebe attempted to climb off his lap, but he placed his hands on her thighs to still her.
“Stay right where you are,” he said firmly.
She froze. Was he going to break things off with her?
“I think that is the best idea I’ve ever heard.”
He… what?
“You do?”
“Yes, well, not the part where you drive there or that you live in a hotel or something.”
She hadn’t actually figured out the accommodation part since a hotel might not be manageable. “Ahh, then what part did you like?”
“The part where you come and stay with me so you’re close by when I come home from work. I’ll try to cut back my hours which will be easier if I can work from the office for a few hours a day. That’s a brilliant idea, Phoebe.”
Well. Sometimes she had them.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s too soon. I mean, I’m not moving in, just staying,” she said hastily.
“Sweetheart, stop worrying,” he murmured. “I think it’s a great idea. I want you close by, where I can keep an eye on you. But can you manage that? You said you’re between jobs, but what about your family? Are they expecting you back soon? You won’t need much money since you can stay with me, however, do you have bills to pay?”
“I, um, I’m fine. I don’t need to be anywhere for a while, and I can call my brothers and let them know I’m going to stay away for a while.” She wouldn’t call them. But she could if she had to.
“Perfect. Just like you.” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her.
Long and hard and deep.
Her body stirred. She was all too aware that they hadn’t moved that step further and slept together. Although they had slept in the same bed together the last few nights. A whimper of need escaped her as he drew his mouth away.
“I’ll get my assistant to book us plane tickets.”