Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 7
ROYCE
“Baby boy, is everything ready? Is the table set?” I smile at my mom because she is the most anal person asking me questions she knows the answer to.
“Of course, ma. I set it myself. All that’s left is for us to open the door and let them in.” Today is the day and I am excited for her, but I am also still so fucking bummed out. I haven’t found her, and it is killing me.
“Alright baby. Let’s do this.” She takes a deep breath and nods her head at the guy guarding the door. He opens it and people begin filling the room. Most of them I know. She invites friends and family to this winter feast, every year.
“Hey you. Yeah sure. I know thank you.” I am talking to people trying to be happy and jubilant when I feel anything but. I walk upstairs and grab some extra bottles of wine. On my way down I don’t see my mom anywhere. “Richie, where is my mom?”
“I think she is by the front door.” Nodding, I take the wine to the kitchen and walk that way. I see her hugging someone, but I don’t see their face.
“Hey, ma they are waiting for…oh hey Jacob. Glad you could make it. Jake, nice to see you again.” We shake hands and he turns back to my mom. He starts to speak and then his mouth snaps shut.
“Son, this is Mari, Mila’s friend.” For an endless amount of seconds I say nothing. I have to be hallucinating, right? I mean there is no way she is here, standing in front of me looking at me like she is seeing a ghost, not that I blame her.
She begins to fidget, obviously not sure if she should act like she knows me or not. Fuck that. Jacob touches her, I know to try to protect her. He stands a little in front of her and I have to stop the growl welling up inside of me.
“Take care of your own woman, Monroe. I got this one.” Out of the corner of my eye my mom is looking intrigued, shocked and then I see when she puts it together. “Let’s go.” I say to Mari and pull her into the back of the restaurant toward the office.
“Royce what?” She starts to say, but when I turn and look at her like don’t even try, she snaps her mouth shut. Once we are inside and the door is locked, I stand in front of it, both hands on the door, head bowed trying to get myself together. My girl, the one I have been searching for is here, in front of me and I can physically touch her. It’s too much. “Are you going to say something?” Her voice is a whisper. A tentative, unsure question. Turning, I look at her taking in her beauty.
“Yes. I’m just trying to calm down, baby.” She nods her head. “I have so many questions. But first I need to kiss you, so I know you’re real.” Taking her soft hand I pull her into my arms where I have been longing for her to be. Leaning in, I wait for her to meet me halfway. The second her lips touch mine we both moan. There is no tongue being used, but you wouldn’t know it.
“Whoa,” she says pulling back for air.
“I know, sweet girl. But that wasn’t enough.” She looks confused until I pick her up and put her on the desk. I rub my hands up and down her thigh. “You have no idea how long I have been waiting to be able to touch you again.” She bites her lower lip and looks at me, so sexy and sweet.
“I have some idea.” Damn. She’s been looking for me too?
Unzipping her jacket, I take in her body even though it is covered by a sweater. “Still so beautiful.” I rub her cheek. “You look different.” She stills a bit, and I feel like I am missing something. “It’s a good different, baby. You have a glow that wasn’t there before.”
“Yeah well, I think we should get back.” She abruptly tries to get down from the desk, but I am blocking her not planning on letting her down anytime soon, especially now when I am sure I have missed something.
“Mari, talk to me. What’s wrong?” Her head is down, and she refuses to look at me. “Sweetness, please talk to me. Whatever it is, I am here for you. Now that I have found you I am never losing you again, so tell me.” When she looks up I want to slit my fucking wrists. She is crying and it is the most devastating thing I have ever seen. “Please, stop. Stop the tears. I can’t… you're breaking my heart.”