Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 147545 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 738(@200wpm)___ 590(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147545 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 738(@200wpm)___ 590(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
When we climb into bed for the night, he’s already fucked me, so I don’t expect him to do it again, but when he pulls me into the little spoon position and my ass wiggles against him, his hands can’t seem to stay away from my tits. Then one is sliding between my legs, his fingers invading my pussy.
After I come, I’m so needy and grateful. I roll over and snuggle close, draping my leg over his. “I love you,” I say softly, my lips lightly grazing his throat because I just need to touch him.
He always needs to touch me. His fingers trail down my back lightly enough that tingles dance across my skin. “I love you, too.”
I smile, closing my eyes, absolutely content.
“I need to ask you something,” he says.
My smile widens helplessly. I’m dazed from the orgasm and also sleepy, so I tell him, “You’ve picked a fine time.”
His mouth quirks slightly, but he must be serious because it’s not much of a smile.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, my mind going to the case, even though the threat of that seems to be over.
“Yeah,” he says, catching my hand and kissing it. “But I need to ask you a favor, and while you may not want to… I need you to say yes.”
“What is it?”
“Will you have dinner with me and my parents tomorrow?”
My jaw unhinges. I make a noise as if to speak, but no language passes my lips.
I knew I would have to meet them eventually, but I was hoping we could put it off for… I don’t know, a few more years.
“It’s important,” he tells me. “And I’ve already talked to them about being nice.”
“It’s… it’s so soon, Tor.”
“I know.” He nods supportively. “Trust me, I wish we had better timing, but as you may know, my family has a huge Fourth of July party at the lake house every year. This one was already planned and paid for before Tim died. I thought they might cancel this year anyway, given the timing, but they’re not canceling. And that means… I need you to come to the party with me this weekend, but that shouldn’t be the first time you meet them.”
The hits just keep coming. “So, wait a minute. You need me to come to dinner to meet your family tomorrow, and then you want me to attend their party this weekend? That’s not one favor.”
He makes a face. “It would also be nice if you would make something to bring to the party. My mom… she likes personal touches.”
I have not managed to pick my jaw up for more than a second since he began talking. “My god, the audacity.”
“I know,” he says, locking his arms tighter around my waist and tugging me closer. “I’m shameless. But will you do it anyway? For me?”
I knew I would have to offer some kind of olive branch to Tor’s family if we really are going to have a long-term relationship, but despite the wedding talk and the I love yous, I still don’t know about our future. And to be perfectly honest, the fact that he’s a package deal with them is a factor to consider.
Do I want Tim’s parents to be the grandparents of my children?
No.
And he swears I don’t know them, that I’ll see a different side of them, but frankly, I don’t care if they’re capable of being pleasant people. That’s not the issue.
They’re also perfectly fine with protecting their rapist son and destroying his victim in order to do it. They aren’t good people.
They aren’t people I want relationships with.
But Tor is, and as I look into the blue eyes he is currently weaponizing against me, I know that he’s more persistent than I am mean. Eventually, he will win this battle, and I doubt I’ll ever feel ready, so I should probably just meet them and get it over with.
“Fine. I’ll agree to the dinner tomorrow, but I’m not agreeing to anything else until we clear that hurdle. If the dinner is a crash and burn, then I tried, but…”
“That’s completely fair. More than fair.” He grins, leaning in to kiss me. “Thank you.”
I pout, but I let him kiss me. “What do I wear to dinner with the Walters family? Chain mail?”
“Something girly. A sundress.”
“Are you serious?”
He nods. “You should wear the sandals I bought you, too. If you can find an apron…” At my look of horror, he laughs. “I’m sorry, the last one’s a joke.”
I shove him, but I have to bite back a smile. “You were about to hear so much shit.”
His amusement lingers, and he looks so happy that I feel bad for the dread I’m feeling. “They’re traditional, but not that traditional. I told you my mom’s part-time job is getting spa treatments. She’s not a bang maid.”