Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Stepping out of the bathroom, I’m lost in thought as I scroll through my phone. I don’t make it but a few steps out the door when I slam into something hard.
Strong arms wrap around me, and I’m pulled into a hard body. That delicious scent I’m beginning to love fills my head. I lift my gaze slowly.
“Does being single single keep ya from going for a ride every now and then?” he rumbles in that sexy-ass voice.
My mouth falls open as he maneuvers my back against the wall behind me. I stand dumbfounded at first. I’m caught in his spell as I look into his blue-hazel eyes.
They are so intense and promise all types of naughty things. When I find my brain and voice, I lift my head high and close my mouth. This man is too much.
“Excuse me?”
He leans into my ear. “Ya heard me, love. I want to show ya a grand time in my bed.
“Yer not as young as I thought ya were. I promise I’ll teach ya a few things that will keep ya in my bed while yer here. Ya might even keep me on repeat when we’re both in the States.”
“You assume I need teaching. I’d ride your brains out, so no thanks. I don’t need you stalking me.”
He chuckles. “Ya sure about that, love?”
“Positive, big boy. I’d set those sheets on fire, Red.”
“I’m fine with that. I’ll keep ya wet enough to put those flames out. Although I don’t mind burning for the right one.”
Nope, not doing this. As his words reach into me and make me want to be the one, I know I can’t go there. I don’t have it in me to care about anyone else, not now.
He’s talking about fucking but I have this feeling it would be so much more. His fine ass needs to back up. Instead, he pinches my chin between his fingers and leans into me.
“Ronan, is that ya?” A woman calls, breaking the spell he has me under.
“Fuck,” he bites out.
CHAPTER 5
Get to Know Ya
Dean
“Danika, you do whatever you need for yourself. Don’t worry about me,” my mother says as I talk to her on the phone while I sit watching Dae-Dae play.
“Mom, are you sure you’re okay? You don’t sound so good. I’ll come back.”
“Baby, you’re always running to everyone else’s rescue. When will you put yourself first? There’s nothing you can do for me. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I want you to recharge and find some inspiration for the next masterpiece. As Dean Foxx’s biggest fan, I can wait—”
Her words are cut off as she begins to cough. I knit my brows in concern. Maybe I can pay for a babysitter for Kaye. I’ll get her an assistant too.
“Danika Peoples, I can hear your thoughts. You bring your butt back here to the US before the year is up and I’m going to whoop your grown ass. You hear me?”
“Yes, Mom, I hear you.”
She sighs. “Good. Maybe you’ll meet a nice guy while you’re there. I’m still waiting to see you get married.”
“At thirty-one, I think you can give up on that one,” I scoff.
“I hope not. If there’s one thing I want before I’m gone it’s to see you loved and cared for. I want to look my son-in-law in the eyes and see that he’s the one for my special girl.”
I blink back tears. I might write about romance, but finding it for myself has been a challenge. I either intimidate guys, pick assholes who are faking it, or start to build a connection only to back out before they can.
It’s hard to have relationships and secrets. One always compromises the other. My secrets can’t afford to be compromised.
The few times I’ve given it my all, life snatched it all back from me. I knew love once. I thought it would be forever and then one day it was like I was five all over again.
The man I looked to for love and protection was gone and there was nothing I could do. Security and love are something I’ve learned to give myself. I haven’t counted on anyone doing it for me in a very long time.
I don’t know that I want a husband. Mom and Uncle Freddie have tried to convince me otherwise, but I know myself. I know my life.
“Mom, I have to go,” I murmur as my emotions and thoughts begin to come to the surface.
“I love you, Danny.”
“Love you too, Mom. If anything changes, let me know.”
“You enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about me.”
I end the call with my mom and focus on Dae-Dae as he rides around the open space. To be innocent and carefree like him all over again. That hasn’t been my life in so long.
My thoughts go back to Geno. He was the love of my life. We met when I was in college.