Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
She nods her head slowly but doesn’t argue with me any further. After I finish planning for Matteo, she kisses him on the head and pulls him in for a long hug. It’s the first time he’s left her side, besides when he goes to spend time with his grandfather, since they arrived. Her smile is tight, and she pulls away from him with great reluctance. I almost give in and tell her we can bring Matteo, but the two of us have to spend time alone. There’s so much I need to learn about the woman who almost got away from me.
A startled laugh comes out of Emma when she sees the car we’re taking. A slick, black sports car. Cars have never been my hobby. Andy loves cars, and he’s the one who makes sure most of my cars remain in working order. But a car like this sends a message.
“And here I thought you traded your bachelor’s car for a dad’s car.”
“Do I look like the man who needs to trade anything in? Besides, this is only a bachelor’s car when a bachelor is driving it. Here soon, it’s going to be a married man’s car,” I assure her. She rolls her eyes. My pretty words don’t woo her, but I have more than just words up my sleeve.
She rests a hand on the middle console between us. Taking a calculated risk, I weave my fingers in with hers. She jumps, not expecting it, but doesn’t pull away. I squeeze it. I don’t take my eyes off the road, but I know by the hitch in her breath that her beautiful bright red blush is spreading over her face. Her grip is loose in mine like she might need to pull away at any moment.
I can hold on tight enough for both of us.
“Where are we going again?” she asks me as we pull onto the main freeway.
When I brought up buying an engagement ring, I expected her to put up a fight. Instead, she said if we’re presenting as an engaged couple, then engagement rings make sense. I had to bite back my reply. If I tell her we are an engaged couple, not presenting as one, she probably will fight me. Emma can justify it in her head any way she needs to because both explanations will lead to the same conclusion.
Us at the end of an aisle, saying our vows.
Emma continues to pretend our marriage will be in name only, that this is some elaborate front to hide our son behind. The attraction is still there, and it’s not one-sided. When she thinks I won’t notice, she checks me out. Her eyes linger at all her favorite places, like my chest and shoulders. I don’t know how she hasn’t realized that I know. I always flex just for her.
She can wage the internal battle of accepting her attraction to me. I can be patient.
“My family has a jeweler we have been using for a while. I figure we can see what he has available now and if nothing suits you, then we can have him custom-make something. We will leave the shop with something on your finger today, even if it is just a placeholder. I’m not willing to leave that finger of yours unoccupied.”
She lets out a chuckle that comes with a snort. It's an endearing sound. “I doubt I’m going to meet the love of my life now. It’s been five years since I dated. Prince charming won’t come and sweep me off my feet as soon as I’ve agreed to marry you.”
She looks out the window, completely oblivious to the glee swelling inside of me with the information I’m not sure she meant to share with me. One of the biggest qualms I had with my father was the fact that her going to university meant dating. No one she might have met and dated scared me. Even if she fell in love, she would be with me in the end, but I hate the idea of sharing that part of her. “You haven’t dated in five years?”
“I’m a single mom and a full-time student. Not exactly a catch on the dating apps. Besides, I never had time to date between trying to keep up with my classes and raising Enzo.”
“You were a single mom. You’re not one anymore,” I remind her. I tamper down my glee at the rest of her revelation. Although she doesn't say it, I can’t help but feel the reason she never dated after going away to university is because she was waiting for me.
Unconsciously, maybe. We don’t give the brain nearly enough credit sometimes for what it does for us. And her brain knows she belongs to me.
We drive in silence the rest of the way. I move our entwined hands from the center console onto her lap. She’s always had gorgeous legs. I didn’t get to spend nearly enough time getting acquainted with them when we first met, but the way they’ve filled out with the rest of her has me about ready to go mad to get my head between them. The skirt she’s wearing allows me the place our hands against her bare skin. I stroke my hand along her thigh and she stiffens. She still doesn’t take her hand away from mine.