Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“You’ve punished yourself enough, Clint. The time for regrets is over. You have to focus on living now. You deserve to because you make the world a better place. I’m proud to be your wife.”
I stare at her, unbelieving. The first moment I saw her sitting on that auction platform, frightened and alone, rushes through my mind. I didn’t understand Jesse’s actions or his choice, but I wanted her. I wanted to make her smile and take away the sadness in her eyes. If I can be a good man for Taylor and give Molly the stability she’s never had, could it be enough?
“I may never deserve you, Taylor, but I want to. I want to try to be the man you need.”
“You already are,” she whispers.
We kiss again, deeper this time. Her hands glide over my chest and arms, seeking out my strength and building my desire. I can’t believe I get to have this woman even for one night, let alone until death do us part. For most of my life, I’ve felt far from any kind of spirituality, but Taylor makes me want to believe in a higher power. Something brought her into our lives. Something connected us at a point when we all needed healing and redemption.
I never thought any woman would want me after I admitted my deepest regret and shame, but Taylor sees past it… and she makes me want to live every day with gratitude.
She lays back and pulls me over her, hips seeking friction, hands mapping and searching, lips claiming. I need to be inside her so badly.
I practically glide into her slickness, and she squeezes me, moaning with pleasure. We remain eye to eye, searching each other’s expression and sinking deeper into the magic of the moment of release and redemption. This is different from any other sex I’ve ever had, and I never want it to end, but when we tumble over the edge together, and she clings to me, whispering words of love, I finally succumb to the hope of a future I never believed I deserved.
21
TAYLOR
BAKING MY WAY TO THE TOP
“Shall I start to load up?” Jesse asks, eying the organized chaos that the kitchen has become since I started baking yesterday. Every surface is covered with baked goods ready to be transported to the Ten Meadows County farmers market and the stall that will give me my first chance to sell to people I don’t know.
It’s been fun baking for Barb’s charity event and Beth’s book club. I had a small stall at the elementary school fundraiser, but all proceeds went to the school courtesy of Jesse’s kind donation of ingredients.
But today, all the money I make will be reinvested into my business. Taylor-Made Bakes is transforming from a pipe dream to reality, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Yes, please.” I glance out of the window at the Taylor-Made Bakes delivery vehicle. It’s been customized with refrigeration to keep everything nice and cool. It started off white, but Clint designed a logo, and Maverick took the time to paint it onto the side of the truck, so now it’s a riot of colorful lettering and cute baked goods. Every time I look at it, I want to squeal.
I rub my hands over my pink pants, which perfectly coordinate with the pink t-shirts I ordered with my logo emblazoned across the front. Clint came home with a pink hair accessory, which I’ve fastened over my ponytail. It’s a crazy kitsch look, but I’m embracing it. If I want people to remember me, I’ve got to be memorable.
Maverick appears in the kitchen doorway. “I’m ready for my man duties,” he says, rubbing his hands together so vigorously, it’s a miracle he doesn’t start a fire.
“Better get to it,” I laugh, “before Jesse out-mans you.”
“Never!” Maverick makes a bodybuilder pose, flexing his deliciously curved biceps, and I double over with the giggles.
“Maverick. You’re so crazy,” Molly says.
Before she has a chance to escape, Maverick swoops in to grab her around the middle and lift her off her feet. “Crazy, huh?”
She’s squealing and kicking, and the ruckus is just what I need to distract me from my nerves. Jeez. I’m starting to wonder what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
Clint arrives back from checking on the workers. He drops his hat on the shelf above the coat rack and immediately heads to me, ignoring Maverick and Molly’s noise. He rests his hand on the back of my neck, running his rough thumb across my jawline. “You okay?” he asks. The intensity in his pale eyes settles me as much as the power of his body close to mine and the strength of his hand against my skin. “My heart feels like it’s going to beat its way out of my chest.” I grimace.