Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
I smile as I watch him settle beneath the sheets and pull the covers up over him.
“It should help,” I reply, gathering the tray and setting it aside.
It’s been two months since we made that deal. I’m eight weeks closer to leaving this man behind. Sixteen weeks away from owning two million and my freedom.
So why do I feel like I’m in quicksand and I’ll never be free?
“Do you want to play cards again?” he asks hopefully.
I give a warm smile. We had fun this afternoon. He was able to play for a bit before passing out and sleeping for a few hours.
I actually feel bad for him. Not just him but Eileen as well. It’s been two days since they went out for dinner. They both returned with some type of stomach bug and a cold. I’ve been nursing the two since while trying to help keep little Chloe busy as well.
“Sure, why not?” I shrug and kick off my shoes.
Grabbing the cards from the nightstand, I climb onto the bed to get comfortable beside him. He pulls himself up weakly, resting against the headboard. I pause long enough to watch him, wondering if he should rest instead.
“I’m fine. Come on, deal,” he says.
I narrow my eyes. “What are we playing?”
“Need you ask?” he says hoarsely.
I shake my head but start to deal the hand. He grins over his cards when I’m done. Even under the weather, his eyes work magic I need to steer clear of.
“Do you have an Ace?”
“Go fish,” he says with a smile.
I stick my tongue out at him and pluck a card. I can’t believe we’re playing this game again. I feel like a little kid.
“It’s your turn. What are you staring at?” I say as I look over my cards to find his intense gaze fixed on me.
“You’re gorgeous when your eyes sparkle like that,” he replies.
I tilt my head at him. I look into those gray eyes and my heart squeezes. I turn my gaze away to focus on my hand.
“Do you remember when we went to that vineyard?” he asks instead of taking his turn.
I drop my hands into my lap. My shoulders sag. These trips down memory lane are bittersweet. They were some of the best times in my life, but they also led to my biggest heartache.
“Yeah, I remember,” I say quietly.
“My favorite moment from that day was sitting out on that blanket while playing cards and sipping wine. You were adorable when you got tipsy, and I had to carry you back.” He chuckles.
I bite my lip as I remember that day for a different reason. It was the heated lovemaking after he carried me back to the bed-and-breakfast on the vineyard that flashes in my head. My nipples harden with my thoughts.
“Yeah, that was a fun trip,” I say breathlessly.
He lifts a brow at me. I lift my cards back up, placing my focus on them. I don’t think we should continue this trip he has started.
“Do you have a five?” he asks instead of pushing me.
I appreciate that and will admit he hasn’t forced me into conversations I don’t want to have. I take a shaky breath.
“Go fish,” I reply.
We continue to play round after round. He’s able to get me to laugh a bit during our game. I try not to let my guard down, but I feel it slipping the longer I remain in this room with him.
I reach for a card, but he covers my hand with his and my breathing stops. I don’t want to feel. I don’t want this connection that’s been building.
Yet the spark hums up my arm, sending warmth throughout my body that can’t be ignored. My eyes lift to his face. His forehead is covered in sweat. I think we’ve overdone it.
“Thank you,” he says after swallowing hard.
“For?”
“All of this and… just being here, being you,” he says.
“You’re welcome,” I say as I drop my eyes to stare at his hand over mine.
“Tell me something that I can do for you. I feel like I should be taking care of you, but here you are taking care of me and my family,” he says.
“I told you it’s fine. I didn’t like that woman who came to babysit for Chloe.” I frown. “I can help out. It’s not like I’m doing much else.”
“You haven’t been painting,” he states, it’s not a question.
“A certain little angel likes to call for my attention. I haven’t had time to.” I grin, thinking of Chloe singing through the halls as she peeks her head in doors looking for me.
She’s gotten away from her grandmother and father a few times in search of me. I’ve come to listen out for her calling Cee through the house. It’s a big place but she finds my corridor every time.