Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 141385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
That’s how I know he’s standing in the doorway without me having to look up. How I know he’s been watching me for the past few minutes without saying a word.
“You know,” I say, flicking through the photos I’ve taken of the palace grounds over the past few days. “I am a photographer. If you’d like to stare at me, a photo might be a little less creepy. I’m not great at self-portraits, but I’ll give it a go.”
His deep laugh rings through the room, and he finally pushes away from the door when I look up. “But a photo won’t show me all the cute little expressions you make when you’re concentrating.”
“Your insistence upon calling me cute is nauseating. Cute is for babies and bunnies.”
“And you when you bite the corner of your lip when you concentrate.” He cups my chin as he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “What are you focusing on so diligently, anyway?”
“Nothing important. I’ve been exploring the palace gardens over the last few days, and I took my camera. Do you want to see?”
“Of course.”
“Grab a chair, then.”
“I have a better idea.” He yanks my chair back, pulls me up, then steals my seat. Before I can muster up a response, he tugs me down onto his lap and clamps his arms around my waist.
“This is childish,” I mutter.
He rests his chin on my shoulder with a, “Hmm,” and squeezes me a little tighter.
Fine.
Whatever.
I do like it when he touches me.
Nestled on his lap, I take control of the mouse and flick through the photos. We stay like this for the next ten or so minutes as he explores the familiar gardens through my lens, and every other photo has a little anecdote or story that makes me smile. Memories of years gone by, little flashes of what life could be if one had a real childhood.
“I’m jealous,” I murmur. “My memories are nothing like yours.”
His fingers twitch against my waist. “We’ll make new ones. Better ones. I’ll give you all those memories you wish for and the ones you never dreamt of.”
“Those are big promises.”
“Big, but not impossible.” He presses a kiss to the side of my neck. “And our children will never want for anything. We’ll give them the most magical childhood. Memories like mine. Two parents who love them. All the stability and certainty you could ever dream of.”
Something fizzles through my veins.
Something that feels an awful lot like hope.
He kisses my neck again before he says, “I’m afraid I have something to tell you that might ruin your day.”
“I can’t have anything nice, can I?” I groan and spin in his hold. “What is it?”
“I spoke to your father.”
“I suppose someone must.” I cradle his face with my hands, squeezing his cheeks slightly. “What did he say?”
“He wants you to visit. He hasn’t seen you since the party.”
I wrinkle my nose up, letting my hands fall to rest on his chest. “Ugh. As much as I hate it, he’s right. I do need to show my face. It’ll give me a chance to get the rest of my things, too.”
“It’s not going to be fun,” Finn warns, a shadow passing across his gaze. “It’s been a few weeks, but I get the impression they’re not going to let our relationship go.”
“They’ll never let it go,” I reply. “We could be married for twenty years, and they’ll still hold a grudge.”
“Mm. Well, that’s unfortunate for them.” He pauses and tilts his head to the side. “You don’t have to go if you aren’t comfortable. We can send people to get your belongings.”
“No, it’s fine. He’s right. I really should show my face.” I sigh, sinking back into his embrace. “At least then they can’t say I’ve abandoned them. And I suppose I will look rather magnanimous if I show up after Jasmine hit me.”
He pauses. “Look at you, always thinking ahead.”
“Well, I am very concerned about my image.”
“And theirs, if I recall.”
“Oh, yes. How people perceive my multimillionaire father, his mistress, and their secret daughter is very important to me.” A tiny laugh escapes out of me. “No, it’s fine. I need to get it over with. They’re going to interrogate me no matter what, so the sooner, the better. I’ve already dragged this out too long.”
Finn grunts. “Don’t let them bully you. You don’t have to play the obedient little daughter anymore, you know that, right?”
“I know.” I kiss his cheek. “How else do you think I made Jasmine hit me?”
“Please don’t remind me. It pisses me off every time I think about her laying hands on you. Especially since there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Yes, well, she’ll get what’s coming to her. They all will.” I cup his handsome face and brush the tip of my nose against his.