Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Sometimes, you just know, he replies. Sometimes, there’s no room for doubt. I get it. Anything I can do to help you, I will. I don’t want you wasting time at a job you hate when I’m willing and capable of making your life better.
Do you mean it, all of it? I text.
Every single word. You’re the future mother of my children. There’s no question about me providing for you.
I smile widely. You have no idea how much that means to me. I couldn’t have imagined any of this. I’m still worried I will wake up, realizing I’ve fallen asleep looking at your website.
No, this is real. We’re real. Let me take you out tomorrow.
Out as in… out, out?
Through the apartment, I hear my man chuckle, and it just makes me smile even wider.
Yes, to a restaurant. Your mom will be safe here, though I may hire somebody to dog sit for Speeder.
“Mia?” Mom says, waking.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “You don’t have to apologize.”
“Who are you talking to?”
“Killian. We’re….”
I almost don’t tell her, but I can’t keep hiding the truth.
“We’re talking about going on a date tomorrow. But Killian says he will hire a dog sitter for Speeder, so you don’t have to be here alone with him.”
Mom sits up, looking at me, a shaky smile on her lips. “A date as in… going out? To a restaurant?”
I sit up straighter, basking in what feels like my mom’s pride. “Yes, exactly that.”
“Do you think you can do that?”
“With Killian, yes, I do.” There’s still chaos whispering at the edges, trying to break through, but it seems more distant than before. “Honestly, Mom, I feel like I can do anything with Killian.”
Mom reaches over, touching my shoulder. “Tell Killian I’ll take care of Speeder.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“I want to do this. I want to prove I can. I wasn’t always this person.”
I reach up, touching her hand. “I know you can do it, Mom.”
Texting Killian, I say, Mom wants a chance to take care of Speeder when we’re on the date. She wants to prove to herself that she can.
There won’t be much to do except keep him company. I’ve got to work all day tomorrow, but in the evening… I’m taking you out.
That sounds like the best thing ever, I reply, hoping I don’t freak out when we walk into the restaurant.
I’ve never been in one before.
CHAPTER 22
Killian
“What do you think?” I ask.
It’s hard to keep my voice steady, especially now I’ve seen my woman naked. It’s not like she’s wearing an outlandish outfit or anything like that. She’s wearing a sparkly black top and jeans, but I know what’s underneath there, her voluptuous breasts, her round, gorgeous ass….
No, I have to focus on the date.
It’s difficult since working all day lets the heat build-up.
The car ride over had me almost erupting.
Mia looks around at the restaurant, a low-key place with soft lamplight, not too busy this early in the evening.
Her cheeks are gorgeously flushed, her hair wavier than usual from where she keeps running her hand through it.
“It feels like being on the other side of the door.”
I smirk, reaching across the table past the flickering candle, and taking her hand. She grasps on to me firmly, letting me know there are more nerves in her than she’s showing.
“You’re doing it,” I say, reading the anxiety in her body. “You’re….”
“Tougher than I think?” she finishes, with a sassy tilt of her head.
Luckily, the waiter chooses that moment to come over. Otherwise, I might lose control and leap across the table, dragging Mia into my arms and my lap.
“What would you like to drink?”
“I’ll get an orange soda,” Mia says, her voice coming out loud, her cheeks blushing an even deeper red.
I grin across at her, hoping she can read the encouragement on my face, then I say, just as loudly, “I’ll have the same.”
Once the waiter is gone, Mia buries her head in her hands. “I want to die.”
I chuckle lightly, reaching over and gently touching her wrist, moving her hands.
She meets my eyes, sees me smiling, then her lips twitch cutely.
“You spoke a little loud. So what? The world didn’t end. The ceiling didn’t crash in on us. And if anybody decides to make an issue about anything you do… they’ll have me to answer to.”
Her smile widens. “Did you want an orange soda? Of course, you can get a real drink if you want.”
“Soda’s fine,” I tell her. “I’m drunk enough on you, butterfly… please tell me if that was too cheesy.”
“No way. The cheesier, the better.”
We clasp hands for a moment, then look down at the menus.
“What are you thinking of getting?” she asks.
I listen to her voice’s tone and tightness, then look steadily at her.
“You can get anything you want, Mia.”
She flinches as if I’ve struck on something true with too much accuracy.