Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
And that was how Hadley remembered Serenity. A genuine person who cared about others. Although she hadn’t seen Serenity in a long time, she still looked young and beautiful, her dark hair now cut to shoulder length.
“That sounds like the perfect dichotomy.”
“It is,” Aurora said. “Hadley, Jade and I are going shopping one day this week. While we’re in town, I figured we could pick up some summer clothes. Zach mentioned you might need some things. Would you like to join us? It’ll be fun.”
Hadley turned and shot Zach a questioning look. He held up both hands, an adorably sheepish look on his face. “I might have mentioned it.”
That, he would pay for. She pressed her palms against her eyes, hoping she didn’t get a headache. As much as she didn’t want to be indebted to him or have him think she was using him for his money, she did need clothing. Just some pieces that she’d forgotten.
It was hard to accept. She’d been independent her entire life, more so for the last ten years, earning her own money, taking care of her sibling and the house. To Hadley, being reliant on someone else put her at a disadvantage when she knew she needed the ability to run if the need arose. She didn’t know how to accept help. But right now, she needed to and she was grateful for the offer.
She removed her hands and glanced at his sisters. “I’d like that. Thank you. For some reason I dumped my entire lingerie drawer into my suitcase and not much more.” She shook her head and her face flushed. “Even this skirt and top were in there.”
“I know what’s in that drawer and it’s mostly bras, panties and her vibrator,” Dani said to Layla, speaking too loudly.
“What do you know about vibrators?” The words flew out of Hadley’s mouth.
“I’m almost fourteen, not three, you know.” Between both Hadley and her sister, her cheeks flamed in mortification while everyone at the table did their best to hide their chuckles.
“Someone please shoot me,” she muttered, covering her face with her hands.
Zach laughed but his hand slid to her thigh and stayed there.
The vibrator conversation broke whatever tension that Hadley had been feeling and she enjoyed his family and the rest of the meal along with the company.
After dinner, Serenity suggested Hadley and Dani spend some alone time and Hadley was only too happy to take Zach’s mom up on the offer. She and Dani took a walk around the private property surrounding the house. Between the fresh ocean air, the knowledge that she was safe, and the half hour alone with her sister, Hadley felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest, and she had Zach and his family to thank.
She left the house feeling lighter than she had in… months. Since before her father started bringing strange men to their home. Maybe even longer. By the time she said goodbye to Zach’s family, she was calmer and less stressed.
And her focus was on Zach and his touches at the table. Casual to outsiders but intimate to her.
* * *
Zach sensed the difference in Hadley on the drive back to his house. Being with his family had soothed instead of stressed her more, and he was grateful to them for making her feel welcome. If she was going to be here for a while, there was no reason for there to be tension. He noticed the difference in himself, too. His anger at her had dissipated and he was more open to getting to know her again with the qualifying fact that he knew she would leave again when the time came. No surprises.
Once home, they walked inside. He locked up and set the alarm.
“I’m going to turn in. I’m exhausted,” Hadley said. “But thank you for tonight. Your family is incredible. The closeness, the laughter, it was great.”
He caught the twinge of sadness in her voice that was no doubt caused by the lack of the same in her family, or with her parents, at least. “You and Dani share the same thing. Speaking of Dani…”
“Nope. Don’t go there.” Hadley held up a hand and shook her head. Once again, her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, turning a healthy shade of red.
He chuckled. “I was going to say, speaking of Dani, she’s pretty grown up for her age. That’s why she and Layla get along so well.”
“Oh. I thought you meant… Well, never mind.”
He stepped closer, inhaling her soft floral scent. “I know what you thought, and I’ll admit, I wouldn’t mind knowing more about that vibrator you have in your room.”
Because if he’d been hard after the near kiss in the car, the thought of Hadley using a sex toy while under his roof had desire racing through his veins.