Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Theo’s been very possessive lately. As in, he needs to control every single inch of my body. Not that I’m complaining. He’s shown me how dedicated he is to making me feel wanted, cherished, and loved. And let me tell you, I feel on top of the world. There’s only been one minor disagreement. Okay, it was a total blowout because he took it upon himself to have my entire apartment packed up and moved into his place.
“You can’t just make those decisions for me!”
“Why the hell not? You act as though you weren’t planning on moving in. I asked, and you said yes.”
“I said yes to moving in. I never told you to have a bunch of strangers go through my things! This is you controlling me.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Did you not want to live with me?”
“I do.”
“Then why are you so angry? I wanted to take the stress off you.”
“You took away my choice.”
“To live with me?”
“No, you hardheaded dummy! The choice to move my things out on my terms. To pack my own stuff. To enjoy one last night in a place I called my own. I may not have been there long, but it was mine.”
“So, this is about me taking away the opportunity for you to say goodbye to an apartment?”
“And my couch. Not the point, but I would have liked to have some closure. Close the door to one part of my life and start a new chapter. With you.”
Finally, the furrow in his forehead eases, and his shoulders relax. “Well, what’s done is done. Now, we’re living together, and you’ll want for nothing. Ever.”
“I don’t need you to take care of me. I’m my own person.”
“Fay—”
“I’m helping with rent.”
Theo’s head practically explodes. “The hell you will.”
“And help with groceries—”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
“What kind of streaming services do you have? I’ll cover Netflix, Hulu—”
“Knock it off, Fay.”
“WiFi?”
“Fay. . .”
“If you can print me off the utility bill—”
I’m up and over his shoulders before I can finish my sentence.
He slaps my ass. “How about my cock between these sweet ass cheeks?” I squeal when he spanks me again.
“Hmmm. . . sounds like we’re going to be working up an appetite. Wanna go halfsies on take-out—shit!” That one stung.
“Shut up, Fay.”
“Where’s my please?”
“The only one who’s going to say please is you, you naughty little minx.”
“Fine, but one question. Did you pack my vibrator? We’ve been through a lot together. I’d hate to see him go.”
I chuckle at the memory. As mad as I was, he made it up to me with lots of orgasms and a storage unit where he put the couch.
I struggle to open the bathroom door. I find a stall and rest my crutches against the wall, sighing as I take the pressure off my leg.
My mind goes back to my crazy, unexpected morning. Theo Monroe has been all about surprises. I shake my head, my lips spreading into a smile as I replay the memory.
“Open it.”
“What is this?”
“Just open it.”
“Is this finally the bill for all your streaming services—”
“Open it, or I’m going to spank the shit out of you. Again.”
I wiggle my brows. “Geez, don’t tempt me with a good time.”
“Jesus, open it.”
“Fine.” I take the thick envelope. I’m going to owe a lot of IOUs if this is really his Netflix. Tearing at the seal, I slide out the stack of documents. I take a quick peek at him, curious about what he has up his sleeve, then scan the first page. Legal terms and phrases I don’t understand are jumbled with phrases I am familiar with. Confusion sets in, trying to understand what I’m reading. Ownership, purchase agreement, restaurant license. . . I finally look up at Theo. “What is this?”
“It’s the purchase of a building space.”
I look back down, reading more. Restaurant assets, partnership agreement. . . “And what is it for?”
“You,” he says. “But only if you want it.” He gives me a moment to process what he’s telling me, then continues. “I don’t want to control your life or your dreams. What I want, more than anything, is to watch you thrive in your passion. You’ve made me realize I have a dream of my own. My own goals and aspirations. You allowed me to break free from the life I was barely surviving. And I don’t know how I will ever repay you. But, I think this is a good start.”
“You bought me a restaurant?” The words sound unreal coming out of my mouth.
“I bought a space that used to be a restaurant. It failed, so they sold but left all the equipment behind. I know you don’t need my help. I have faith you can do this on your own and in your own time. I’m here for you whenever you decide to get back on that horse, but I don’t want you to wait too long. You have too much talent not to pursue it.”