Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
I nodded my agreement, and he continued, “I like you very much, Henley, and I’d love to have a relationship with you. I’m not wanting to discuss your needs to make sure I can handle them; I want to make sure I give you everything you’re looking for.” My heart thumped wildly in my chest. I never knew a man so perfect existed in this world, and I never dreamed he’d be interested in me. “I’m having such a nice evening with you, and we’ll get through all this stuff together. So, I just want you to relax and talk to me, okay?”
I swallowed, even though my mouth had gone bone dry. “Okay.”
“Great. But first…” Amir pulled into the parking lot of Dairy Creme, a popular dairy bar in town. “I promised you ice cream.” He parked in a spot and asked, “What’s your favorite flavor?”
“I like chocolate.”
“I usually get cookie dough, but chocolate is really good too. Do you like any toppings?”
I remembered what he said about having too much sugar, so I asked, “Is it okay if I get sprinkles?”
“You bet,” he replied with a smile and wink.
Amir got out of the car and I stayed perfectly still as he came around to my side. He didn’t tell me to, but he didn’t have to; I liked it when he opened the door for me and unbuckled my seatbelt.
He helped me out of the cruiser, and I also liked it when he held my hand all the way up to the ordering window. He bought a scoop of cookie dough ice cream for himself, and a chocolate cone topped with sprinkles for me. Then he led me back to the car.
But instead of opening the passenger door, he popped open the trunk and asked me to hold his ice cream for a minute. Amir took out a black jacket with the word ‘police’ stitched across the back, and wrapped it around my shoulders. It was much too large for me, but it was nice and warm.
Amir closed the trunk, and then I yelped when he gripped me around the middle and hoisted me onto it. He chuckled as he sat beside me and took his ice cream back. “How’s this?”
“It’s great.” The parking lot was empty, probably because it was such a cool night. There were a couple of cars in the drive-thru, but there wasn’t a soul around us to hear our conversation. Plus, being out of the vehicle gave me space to breathe. Amir had thought of everything.
I wondered how to begin the conversation, and what questions he may ask me. I had never divulged my thoughts or desires to anyone. But then again, no one ever asked, and I was sure they wouldn’t have understood.
“Uh oh, you’re starting to drip,” Amir said, pointing at the side of my cone. Lost in my thoughts, I had neglected my tasty treat. I attacked the ice cream with my tongue until the melty drops disappeared. “How is it?”
“Really good. Do you want some?” I held out my cone, and Amir smiled before taking a big lick of his own.
“Mm, that is good. Want a bite of mine?” I nodded and opened my mouth, and he smiled wider as he fed me a bite off of his spoon. He even made sure to give me a big, chewy piece of dough.
“Delicious,” I said around the mouthful.
He watched me intently as I chewed, and once I swallowed, he asked, “Do you like being fed?”
And thank goodness I didn’t have any food in my mouth, because I surely would have choked. I wasn’t expecting him to jump into the conversation, or for his first question to be that.
But once I was over the initial shock, I supposed maybe the best way to handle things was just to jump in. Beating around the bush would probably only make it more awkward.
So…did I like it? When Amir offered me a bite, I didn’t even think about it; my instinct was to open up my mouth for him. But when I focused and thought about it, it was pretty obvious that I was not only comfortable, but delighted to take food from his hand. It felt natural, and I really enjoyed it. I gathered up all of my courage to answer quietly, “I do.”
He put his hand on my back and rubbed circles over the jacket I wore. “Good job, kitten; you’re being very brave.” My heart sang every time he praised me. “What else do you like?”
As much as I wanted more praise, and to make him proud, all of my mustered courage flew out the window. I wanted to answer his question, but I couldn’t find the words.
“I know you like games,” Amir remembered, and I nodded quickly. That was an easy one. “So why don’t we play a game now? I’ll name off some things, and you tell me yes or no to answer if you like them or not.”