Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
In my past life, this fucker would have meant nothing to me. Just another asshole in a line of assholes. But things have changed, and I’m fucking nervous about what’s coming next.
Because this man holds the keys to Daphne’s approval. If he sends me away and tells her I’m no good for her? Then what? Would she ever contact me again? Would I ever see her loops and swirls again? I don’t know but I fucking doubt it.
I think about that for a second and realize, even if that happened, I wouldn’t leave.
At the very least, I’d become her stalker. I’d make damned sure no one else got even an idea in their head she was available. At the very worst, I’d throw her in the back of my car, when I get one that is, drive us up to some deserted mountain cabin and fuck a baby into her even if I had to tie her to the bed to do it.
I shake the thought away. Walter’s staring at me, my dick starting to rise again. I grit my teeth and force my erection down. That’s going to have to fucking wait until I have her under me.
“James told me who you hung out with. In the past. Told me what happened. Said your so-called friends let you take the fall for whatever reason. Something you and my son have in common.” He clears his throat. “If we find out you’re starting up old friendships…you’re out. And, just for the record, I told James the same fucking thing. This is a big, small town. I know who’s who and for all I know, those former friends of yours are the very assholes that are stealing parts and breaking in here. I don’t believe in coincidences. I won’t give you a second chance. I protect my own. We clear?”
I nod on a sniff. The old Dutch wants to tell him to go fuck himself. Instead I offer my hand to shake his. “I won’t need a second chance.”
He nods back, taking my offer, our hands clasped together. “Good. I’m going to have a word with James, then we’ll be ready to go.”
All this shit makes me uneasy. These big talks, these warnings. But it’s necessary discomfort.
Walter’s fatherly protectiveness makes me think of my own dad. Thinking about him makes my heart knot up. He did his best. But his best wasn’t great.
My dad always said that nothing worth having comes easy. For the first time in as far back as I can remember, turning things around may help repair things I’d thought were broken forever.
My eyes move over the photos behind Walter’s desk. Glossy prints in cheap frames. I see him with what looks like maybe his sister, and that makes me think about my sister, too. The last time we spoke, I was a complete ass. Pushed her away hard. Like a wild dog unwilling to let anyone get close.
I didn’t want her seeing me that way, didn’t want my shit to be her problem. But goddamn. Sitting here. Thinking about family. Part of me wants to call her up, hear her out, listen to what she wanted to say.
Apologize for not being there for her after Dad’s death. For being an ass.
“Hey.” James pops his head into the office, breaking my slow slide down Unhappy Family Memories Lane. “You ready?”
I nod and stand, brushing my hands down the front of my shirt, the memory of Daphne’s flavor on my tongue sending a twinge through me. I follow James down the hallway toward the main garage.
“Sorry if my dad is a bit of a hard ass. He doesn’t trust people easily.”
“It’s cool. I get it. Nothing worth having comes easy.”
But even as I say the words, Walter’s speech in the office makes me wonder if I’ll ever have his approval, ever have his blessing with Daphne. He made it clear that until I prove myself, I’m an outsider. He’s giving me a chance.
But I know that if I so much as sneeze in the wrong direction, I’m out. That’s some thin fucking ice for a guy like me.
And if he knew I had my tongue in his virgin daughter’s sweet cunt about an hour ago? My ass would be on the pavement out front with my teeth scattered around me like Tic-Tacs.
But it would still be worth it. Sooner or later, he’s going to have to come to terms with me and Daphne. My plans with her are already set in stone. She just doesn’t know it yet.
* * *
Back at the house, the table is set for dinner, and fuck if Daphne hasn’t changed into this hot fucking yellow dress that hugs her curves, making my mouth water for more of what she gave me earlier.
Still though, there’s all this family shit to deal with. So many people here, cock blocking me. But it’s fine. It’s fucking fine.