Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 212755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1064(@200wpm)___ 851(@250wpm)___ 709(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 212755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1064(@200wpm)___ 851(@250wpm)___ 709(@300wpm)
But…
“What happened, pup?” The nickname slipped out, but when he smiled, I didn’t feel bad about it.
“They were traveling in Asia on a long vacation and buying trip when their plane went down. It was…” He took a breath, looking as if he were pushing back the memories as he sat up straighter. “I finished the program and packed up the house, but after that, I just couldn’t…so I sold the house and put everything of value or that was memorable into storage and spent the past few years figuring out what I’m going to do next.”
He shrugged, clearly feeling bad that he hadn’t managed to figure it out yet. “I’ll get there.”
“There’s no rush.” I couldn’t imagine how terrible that had been for him. “I’m asking this just because I’m a nosy Dom and I’m good with money management, but you’re okay financially, right?”
He wasn’t offended, thankfully, just letting out a soft laugh and smiling like I was behaving just as he’d predicted. “They were good with stuff like insurance, so yeah, I don’t have to worry but work keeps me from going insane.”
Before I could respond, his face scrunched up and he shrugged. “Okay, most of the time work keeps me sane but the survey job was weird. Oh, and for about five minutes I was training to be a clown.”
He barely paused before looking cutely sheepish. “I should also probably admit that when I couldn’t get time off at the cable company, I might’ve quit…very dramatically.”
I had no idea what to say to any of that.
A clown?
“So, art history, huh?” That had him laughing again, the sadness in his eyes fading completely. “What does that major actually entail?”
Relaxing back in his seat, he shrugged. “It basically means I can talk to you about weird periods in art most people really don’t like, and I can admire, and identify, the Chippendale furniture you have in your guest room. But, god, Cohen, in your guest room? What if someone sets a water glass on it?”
Wincing, I shrugged. “I don’t ever have anyone stay over. It’s never come up and it seemed safer than putting it in my living room.”
And it was pretty.
So I had to buy it.
Bishop sighed, shaking his head like I was beyond ridiculous.
It was cute.
That didn’t mean I was going to admit he was right to be frustrated with me, though. “I have some paintings in a closet you might find interesting.”
Because they were old and ugly.
Give me dogs playing poker or a pretty oceanscape any day.
His eyebrows went up and he went very still. “What kind of paintings? And honestly, I really can’t tell if this is a way to get me back to your place or a legit offer to see something interesting.”
Both.
Giving him a long stare while I imagined all the wicked things I wanted to do to him, I let the silence drag out until he shivered…then I smiled. “Do I need an excuse to get you back to my place?”
Wednesday night wasn’t exactly prime come over and snuggle time for most dates, but Bishop wasn’t most dates.
Slowly shaking his head, he took a slightly ragged breath and licked his lips. “No.”
It took another second for his brain to come back online, but after giving his head a jerk like he was trying to rattle the errant cells back in place, he swallowed. “But I do need to get a question out before we go back to your place.”
“Alright.” It honestly could’ve been any number of things, so I was patient as he organized his thoughts.
He finally blinked and shrugged helplessly. “What are we? Are we dating? Just some kind of Dom with benefits thing? Are we exclusive? I’m not making demands. I just don’t want to be surprised down the road.”
Good point.
And good questions.
I just needed to figure out where to begin that wouldn’t sound stalkerish or too detached. “I’m going to start by prefacing this with the fact that I’m not dating anyone else and I haven’t got any friends-with-benefits kind of relationships running around.”
Some of the tension in his shoulders faded as his head slowly shifted up and down. “Alright, that’s good to know.”
What else could I tell him?
“That being said, I don’t want to label us something too serious too quickly because I’m not sure what your plans are.” That had him wincing so dramatically I had to laugh. “Yeah, see, I’m not the only one who needs to work on communication.”
Groaning, he nodded. “Okay, my turn, I guess. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but like I said, I quit my job and I’m just not happy there anymore.”
He waved his hand, making it clear there meant more than just work. His frustration seemed all-encompassing as he took a breath and continued. “I’ve been thinking about staying here more and more.”