Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92529 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Someone knocked on the door and he went to answer it after dragging his lips over hers once more. The bellhop stood there with her bags and he took the two of them from the young man and closed the door.
Carrying them to the bed, he sucked in a breath as he stared at the woman before him. Hope had gotten off the bed and taken off her button-down shirt, leaving her in a white tank top that hugged her curves. But on her left shoulder, he saw a tattoo that hadn’t been there before. And he knew because he’d kissed every inch of her body.
Behind her, he gathered her hair in his hand and brushed it aside, allowing him to see the full tattoo. “When did you get this done and where?”
“February and in Brazil.”
He traced his fingers along the triangle shape. “What is it? Who did it?”
“It’s the Octans constellation. Representing the reflecting octant.”
Mitchell kissed the top star. “Meaning?”
“The octant is a predecessor of our modern sextant that we use in navigation and exploration. My mentor gave me his watch in his will when he passed and this is on it. I can’t carry that with me because I don’t want to lose it, so I put it on my skin.”
“So he’s always with you when you’re out exploring the world.”
“Yes.”
Spreading his fingers wide so he could span her rounded belly, he burrowed his nose into her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Will you gift me a second chance with you, Flykra? Let me prove myself to you?”
…
Hope closed her eyes and stood in his warm embrace. This was what she’d been missing. Craving. Needing.
“What about your mother?”
Mitchell stiffened behind her for a second before he pressed her up to the window and gripped the hair on the back of her head, while his teeth grazed her carotid. “That woman does not have a say in our life. I’ve already told her since she chose my ex, that was her way of stepping out of any relationship with us and our children.”
“Children?”
He tugged and she gasped as she met his gaze, hungry and raw, in the window.
“Children. Do you not want any?”
“Hadn’t thought about it,” she admitted, closing her eyes.
He tugged again, bringing her eyes back to him. “I have.” Brown fire burned her. “Ever since I met you, I’ve imagined you carrying our child within you. Protecting him or her.” He flicked his tongue along her neck. “Children. I want to knock you up, Flykra. I want to see you swell with my seed. I want to create so many strings connecting us, we won’t ever be able to unravel them. You’re my snowflake. My Flykra. Unique.” Kiss. “Special.” Kiss. “Unforgettable.” Kiss. “Mine.”
The raw honesty in his tone should have scared her. Should have done something other than make her want to turn and kiss him with everything pent up inside.
“We’re not fixed, Mitchell.”
“Baby, I know. But I need a chance to fix what I fucked up.”
This time she did pivot in his arms, settling her hands on his chest. “I have to tell you something.”
He flashed her a grin, the one he’d given her when he was saving her life. The one that made her feel safe and protected.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
She snorted. “I didn’t ask.”
His brow furrowed. “Ask what?”
“If you’d marry me.”
“Yes, Dr. Hope Roman, I’ll marry you.”
“Incorrigible.”
“Yours,” he whispered. “Always and only yours, Flykra.”
She could tell him about the inheritance later. Much, much later.
…
Later that night, after indulging in Mitchell, a nap, a much-needed hot shower, as well as dinner with João and Mulligan, Hope lay in the king-sized bed, curled against the man who had captured her heart. She wore his shirt and a pair of panties while he lay in a pair of shorts, keeping her partially lying on his body. His fingers stroked up and down her arm as his other hand rested possessively on her hip.
“I have to tell you something, Mitchell.”
He nuzzled her. “You want a basketball team of kids?”
“No, about why I was back in Rock Falls.”
His fingers flexed on her hip. “You said the inheritance. From Mr. Jones. I’m guessing that’s the watch you mentioned he left you.”
“Not just the watch. He left me some money as well.”
His lips feathered over her skin. “We have more than enough money, you do with it what you will.”
“You don’t want to know how much?”
“Don’t care.” He trailed his lips along the shell of her ear. “All I want is you, if that’s broke or rich, it doesn’t matter.”
“It’s a sizable amount,” she continued. “At least in my mind.”
He tipped her chin up to meet her gaze in the low lighting. “If you want to invest it or just spend it, that’s fine. Linc and his father can help you with investing if you have questions. Tully can help you spend it. That man does love to shop.”