Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
He reached over and retrieved the family photo album once again. He flipped through it until he found what he was looking for.
Ahhh, there’s my big, bad wolf…
He smiled down at Kage’s baby photo, lit a cigar, and let the ashes fall upon it…
Genesis placed the jade and pearl bracelet deep into a splintered well within the tree. The surrounding foliage swayed in the sweet breeze, the sounds of birds and insects all around them. ‘Poison,’ by Brent Faiyaz, played from her phone that she’d placed on a nearby rock. Roman sat with his legs crossed before the tree of life and death, watching her decorate it with pretty white wildflowers, shiny ribbons, and jewelry. When she was finished, she leaned into the tree and kissed it.
He lowered his head, closed his eyes, and said a quiet prayer.
“Thank you,” he whispered in her ear as she sat beside him, leaning her soft body into his form. “This was beautiful. What a great idea.”
“You’re welcome, baby. After the move into the new house, and your new workload ’nd all, I wanted us to just get away for a moment.” She tossed up her hands. “You mentioned comin’ out here more, and I figured maybe we could have some sort of ceremony, too. We’ve been going nonstop since after the honeymoon to London it seems. It’s nice to slow down.”
He nodded in agreement.
She got to her feet, reached into a satchel wrapped around her body, and pulled out more flowers to toss them all over. She wore overalls, a black shirt beneath—so comfortable, laid back, and yet, so gorgeous, too. Completely in her element. That was one of the many things he loved about Genesis. She could glam it up or dress down, and still look like a queen. He looked at the tree, which was draped in sparkly, pretty things.
The thing he had been most afraid of, now he felt nothing but love for. A tall, dead tree, held together by a shiny red thread.
“When I was a little boy, one side of it was dark, the other light and healthy. Leaves still growin’.” She sat back down beside him. “Now, it looks mostly dead, but it still stands. I guess that’s how life is, Gen.” He leaned close to her and kissed her forehead. “We give everything we have to who we love, and when that’s all gone, we give ’em our last breath.”
She traced the side of his face with her fingertips, then pressed her lips against his. An enchanting shudder heated his body as they hugged one another tight. The music was playing, the air sweet. Sexiness, love and gratitude all around them.
“Oh, Lord, you smell so good, Roman…”
It was his cologne. A new one that smelled like a combination of white musk, citrus and blue sage. Just about every time he wore it she tried to jump his bones. Of course, that was his plan all along.
“Let me see what color bra and panties you have on today,” he pestered, pulling at her clothing.
“Don’t start no mess now. We do have to eventually go home,” she said, pulling away. “Besides, I have to get up early in the morning. I can’t be rolling around in the dirt with you. Need to help with two root canals.”
“Work again? We have plenty of money, baby. I earn enough for you to have a soft life, if you want. I’ve asked you to quit your job a million times.” He grabbed her into his arms again, covering the side of her neck with kisses as his nature rose. “Just concentrate on your jewelry business and—”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “I told you that I love what I do. I’m no longer doin’ it for the money, that much is true, but I still genuinely enjoy it. Besides, when we start a family, I’ve already agreed in advance to stay home with our baby, so let me enjoy this time, please.”
“I know, I know… just bein’ selfish I guess.”
They smiled at one another, then held hands.
“I could look into your eyes all day.” He winked at her. “But you still can’t go to bed early for work. We have dinner reservations later tonight.”
“Oh, really?” She grinned. “Well, this is the first I’m hearing about it. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Standing, they collected their water bottles and jackets, and headed toward his truck. He opened the door for his baby, helped her in, then got in the driver’s seat. As he started up the car, Sam Tinnesz was on with ‘Play With Fire,’ featuring Yacht Money, blasting through the speakers. Pulsing and banging—just how he liked it. But then, he froze… looking off into nothingness. Not moving a muscle.
“What’s wrong, baby?” she questioned over the music, strapping herself in with the seatbelt.