Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“That was close,” she breathed when it was clear they were safe.
“Unfortunately, people see a big truck and they do silly things.”
“That wasn’t silly. That was suicidal,” Elizabeth said, rattled.
“We’re almost there, Bunny. Do you need me to pull over now?” he asked, scanning the traffic for an opportunity to turn off the road if she needed him to.
“I’m fine. It’s silly to be so scared.”
“You can’t control what frightens you, Elizabeth. Any more than you can control who you love or how your heart needs to love.”
Before she could comment on his wisdom, Tom pulled over into the parking lot of a large skating shop. After parking, he turned without a word and unbuckled her seatbelt to haul her into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, Tom hugged her tight.
“I’m sorry that sportscar scared you. Are you okay?”
Surrounded by his warmth and masculine scent, Elizabeth melted. It felt so good to be cuddled next to him. How long had it been since someone had cared enough about her to give her a hug?
She whispered, “I’m okay.”
“Then, let’s go have some fun. What color skates do you think I should buy?”
“Purple,” she answered without considering any other color.
“You look cute in your lavender skates. I, on the other hand, might look silly. Let’s see if we can find a good pair that makes me look cute,” he suggested.
“You’ll look cute in anything,” popped out of her mouth.
She looked at him in horror and gasped. “Oops! I meant for that to stay in my head.”
When he laughed, she couldn’t help giggling along. The humor dispelled the last of the lingering worry from her mind. She was ready to have some fun.
Tom hugged her close again and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Daringly, Elizabeth lifted her lips to offer them to him. Without hesitating, he tasted her. His mouth tantalized her with soft kisses that thrilled her.
Taking his time, Tom didn’t rush her but allowed Elizabeth to set the pace. When she opened her lips, inviting a deeper kiss, his tongue traced her sensitive inner lips before delving inside, humming his enjoyment of her flavor. Inviting her to respond, he teased her and rewarded her thoroughly when her tongue tangled with his.
As he lifted his head, Elizabeth opened her eyes to stare into his deep blue ones. She felt like she could see into his soul. “Yowza!”
“Yowza! Indeed,” Tom echoed.
Chapter Four
Twenty minutes later, Elizabeth skated back and forth in front of a park bench, waiting for Tom to get his new dark purple and black skates fastened. She’d found the only pair in that color combination stuck way back on the shelf and jumped for joy when they were his size and fit. Now watching him adroitly snap the last buckle in place, she crossed her fingers that he wouldn’t hurt himself.
Standing up, Tom circled his arms like he was having trouble regaining his balance before he stood at ease on the wheels. She stared at him.
“I guess I should have mentioned that I started playing hockey at three.”
“Three years old?”
“Yes. Skates on concrete are a bit different than sharp blades on ice. The ground doesn’t give like ice does.”
“You know how to skate?”
“I do. But I don’t know this park. Want to show me around?” Tom suggested, holding out his hand.
“Let’s go!” Elizabeth was so excited. Linking her fingers with his, she headed for the big square in the middle of the park. Sometimes musicians would set up in the clearing to entertain and collect money. She wanted to share the fun with Tom.
When a blast of cold water spattered over her T-shirt, Tom skated forward slightly to block the source—a child with a water gun. Elizabeth held the now clinging shirt away from her bra.
A young mother rushed forward. “I’m so sorry. I’ve told Wally not to spray anyone. He was targeting the flower on the other side of the path and you zoomed right through the middle of it.”
“No harm done, ma’am,” Tom said after checking that Elizabeth was okay. “We might have needed something to cool us off.”
Elizabeth saw the glint in his eyes and knew he was referring to the heat resulting from those kisses. She felt her face warm and knew she was blushing.
Tom guided her further down the path with a big grin on his face.
Perturbed, she turned to look over her shoulder. Elizabeth guessed the young mom was at least ten years younger than she was. Tom had called her ma’am. Was he being polite or did he think that woman was older?
“Tom, how old are you?”
“You don’t beat around the bush, do you? I’m twenty-eight.”
“Oh.” Her mind raced. She couldn’t date a younger man—especially a Daddy.
“Let me guess what you’re thinking,” Tom suggested, guiding their path over to a shaded patch of greenspace. “You’re thinking that I’m younger than you by a few insignificant years.”