Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“Laken—” he starts, but I cut him off when I push him up against the wall and pull his lips to mine. The kiss is wild and unhinged, exactly the way I feel when I’m with him.
I groan when Grayson slows the kiss, resting his forehead to mine. “That’s a welcome I could get used to.”
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“Go on upstairs and make yourself a plate. The Crock-Pot is on the counter, and there are biscuits in a container on the counter next to it.”
“Are you going to eat too?”
“Yes. I’m right behind you. I’ll need to make a plate and then come right back down.”
“I’ll make you one. Go on back out to the register.”
“Are you sure?” My heart pitter-patters in my chest. It’s something simple, him making me a plate, but he’s one of the good ones. One of the men who will make sure your needs are met.
“Yes.” He kisses me quickly. “I’m sure.”
“Thank you.”
“You can pay me with more of those kisses.” He winks and, taking the stairs two at a time, heads up to my place.
Surprisingly, no customers arrive by the time he comes back downstairs with a bowl for each of us. We move to sit in the little office behind the register so we can eat.
“How is your day so far?” I ask him.
“Quiet, which in my line of work is a good thing.” He takes a huge bite of stew and groans. “This is so good,” he says, diving in for another bite.
“Thank you.”
“How about you? Been busy today?” he asks.
“Not really. Thankfully, the patrons of Mason Creek are giving us time together today.”
“Oh, they know I’m here. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were timing my visit.” He laughs.
“You’re probably right,” I agree.
“How were the girls this morning?”
“They were in an excellent mood when I agreed to let them call you and see if you wanted to bake with them tonight.” He grins.
“Aw, that’s a good plan you came up with last night. I love spending time with them.”
“They love it too. Although I confess, my idea was purely selfish. I wanted to see you.”
“Well, I happen to approve regardless of the reason.” I smile at him.
“I’m going to tell them,” he assures me.
“It’s fine, Grayson. I understand the position you’re in. Your daughters come first.”
“I just want to ease them into this. Not only that, but I don’t want them to get their hearts broken.”
“I’d break my own first.” I mean that with all that I am. I would never hurt those girls or Grayson.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he asks, leaning over the small space between our chairs and kissing me softly.
“You and your daughters make it easy.” I want to tell him that I won’t hurt them because the three of them already own my heart, but it’s too soon for that. I bite back the words as the chime rings on the front door.
“Duty calls.” I stand, placing my half-empty bowl on the desk.
“Laken?” Grayson calls. I turn to find him standing right behind me. His hand slides behind my neck as his lips descend on mine. He kisses me, taking his sweet time, but I’m not complaining. “Thank you for lunch. I’m going to head back to the station. I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yes. I’m going to run to the store to get what we need as soon as I close, and I’ll be over.”
“Tell me what you need, and I’ll get it.”
“I got it. You get the girls and get dinner started.”
“Bossy.”
“Organized. Dinner and baking off the to-do list, and we get more time together. The four of us,” I add.
“My girl is smart.” He kisses me again, making me forget anything and everything but him.
“Laken, are you hiding back— Oh, now I see why you ignored the chime of the bell.” Justine laughs. “I’ll just be out here.”
“I was just leaving,” Grayson says, keeping his eyes on me. “I’ll see you later.”
“Definitely,” I agree.
Another quick kiss, and he steps away. “Justine, tell Tucker I said hello,” Grayson says as he steps past her and heads for the door.
“Damn,” Justine says, fanning her face with her hands. “That was hot.”
“It was just a kiss.”
“Just a kiss, my ass. Your face is flushed, and you’re holding onto the door frame for support. That man literally kissed your knees weak.”
“He’s really good at it,” I tell her, and she throws her head back in laughter.
“Looks like it. I love my man,” she says, placing her hands on her baby bump. “I’m already pregnant, but if I weren’t, that kiss I walked in on would have done the trick,” she jokes.
“Stop.”
“Hot, Laken. So hot.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask, changing the subject. I don’t need her to tell me how hot it was. I lived it. I still feel the heat of his lips pressed against mine.