Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“I’m glad Mia isn’t in her class.”
Holly hummed in agreement. “Mrs. Reynolds is lovely.”
I listened to their conversation, not saying much.
Evan leaned over. “You okay, Simon? You seem distracted.”
“I’m great. Just enjoying the evening.”
The truth was, I was still reeling in shock over Amy and her boldness. Recalling every second of our fast tryst in the woods. The contrast of her hot mouth engulfing my cock and the cool air that surrounded us. How the bark of the tree bit into my skin as I gripped the trunk. The sound of my low groans building in my chest. The blistering heat of my orgasm as it snaked through me, and I came harder than I had ever come before in my life.
In a patch of woods. Next to my daughter’s school. We could have been caught.
It was dangerous.
Exhilarating.
I had never felt so free. So safe to experience such desire. I had no idea such passion existed.
All because of the pretty, free spirit sitting across from me, teasing my daughter and fitting in with my new family so well.
I caught her eye, and she winked before returning her attention to Mia. Evan caught our silent exchange and grinned. “It’s nice to see you so happy, Simon.”
“It’s nice to feel this way.” I sat back, picking up my coffee. “I have a favor.”
“Ask away.”
“Would you and Holly keep Mia for a weekend?”
“That isn’t a favor. You know we adore her.” He helped Brandon choose a new crayon, holding them up until his son picked one. “You want to take Amy away for a weekend?”
“Yeah. And if it goes well, I want to take them both somewhere. There’s a place back in Ontario that is a kid-friendly resort. I could combine a business and family trip. Give the girls a spa day together while I take care of some face-to-face business, then have the weekend.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“You should come. We can get a couple of suites. They have in-house babysitting too. We can enjoy the evenings. Go out for a couple of nice dinners. Niagara Falls is close.”
He rubbed his bottom lip. “I’ll talk to Holly.”
“I know Ontario isn’t your favorite place, but I doubt we’ll run into anyone either of us knows there. And we aren’t going anywhere fancy. Just a fun few days. The kids would love it. I bet Holly would enjoy the spa day.”
He nodded. “They would. I could hang with my little man here and relax.”
“This place has a ton of activities. Mia would love having you guys with us.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to Holly. In the meantime, plan your weekend with Amy.”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Great. Thanks.”
On the way home, Mia chatted from the back seat. “Amy, can we have a picnic?”
Amy turned in her seat. “Like the one we had a couple of weeks ago? When we sat by the water and walked on the dock?”
“Yes,” Mia replied. “That was fun.” She wrinkled her nose. “Except the funny red things.”
“Lobster,” Amy said with a chuckle. We had bought some lobster on the wharf to take home, and Mia had stared at them in wonder, unsure what to make of them. She was still not adventuresome in the food department. Fish and chips was the best I’d managed to convince her to try, and she had liked them. Amy got her to eat a bite of the lobster the next day, but she wasn’t overly keen on them, which was fine. She would probably change her mind when she got older.
“Maybe instead of a picnic, we could eat at the café on the wharf,” I offered. “You liked their fish and chips.”
“And a whoopie pie?” Mia asked hopefully.
I chuckled. “If you eat your lunch, yes.”
“Can we go on a boat?”
“We’ll see.”
My phone rang as we got to the house, and I frowned at the number, recognizing a client who only ever called when he needed help—and he had never called this late into the evening. “I need to take this.”
Amy waved me off. “No problem. I’ll get Little Miss ready for bed and read to her.”
Grateful, I kissed her, then Mia, and headed for my office.
AMY
Mia giggled as I rinsed her hair. “That tickles.”
I laughed with her. “Do you want me to braid your hair before you go to bed?”
“In the pretty pattern?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, please!”
“Okay, out you get, Little Miss, and get in your jammies.”
I let the water out of the tub and smiled as Mia padded down the hall. I loved these little moments with her. Simple, homey, routine things. Bath time. Braiding her hair. Listening to her natter about her day. It felt so domestic and natural. Knowing Simon would join us when he was done on his call made me happy. I tried to tell myself not to rush ahead, not to get used to it. We had only been dating and together for a few weeks, but I knew in my heart of hearts, I was already in love with Simon. With Mia. When I was at my apartment last night, I felt out of place. It was silent. No Simon talking or watching a TV program, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, giving him a serious air. No Mia asking questions, sneaking in another hug or begging for a cookie before she went to bed. I had felt lonely and displaced.