Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“It was raining, and I’ve been naked in our beach house.”
“Not the point. Are you always going to give me that smart mouth?”
“Is it going to get me punished?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then, of course.” He drops to his knees in the sand, cupping my hair and tugging my head closer to his before slamming his mouth on mine. When he pulls back, I’m breathless and ready to lose these skimpy strips of cloth.
I’m grateful my bestie and her hubby were awesome enough to take our kids for the week so we could celebrate our fifth anniversary. Our two boys are easy to handle, but Marilyn has a family of her own. The kids get along so well together. Everett and Mason are great boys, but I wish we had some more kids at times. We held off because I didn’t want Lincoln to stress out. He lost his father at a young age to a heart attack, and he had been on his way there when we met.
“What’s on your mind, wife?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying. Anyway, I wanted to say, while we have this time away, maybe it’s time we start talking about adding an addition to our little family.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I want a little girl or even another little terror like the two we already have. Listen, I know you’re worried, but the kids and you are everything to me. I hardly work anymore, and our family brings me joy and peace. My father died because he worked ninety hours a week and drank himself into an early grave.”
“I love you, Lincoln, and I can’t imagine my life without my bossy husband.”
“I could never live without my flower.”
“Maybe it’s time to start blooming again.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” His mouth crushes mine again, and he slides his body over mine, rolling around in the sand. As our kisses deepen, I grab the hem of his shorts and start to shove them down. Quickly and clumsily we lose our clothes, and then in one smooth motion our bodies are connected in every way.
It might take a while to come off the birth control, but once I do, I’m sure we’ll be welcoming the latest little member of our family.
Lincoln
Years later…
Five kids. I look at my house full of happy smiles, and I think about how fortunate I am that Lacey had walked into my office and had given me her heart when I didn’t deserve it.
“How does it feel to be fully retired, Dad?” My oldest, Everett, asks. I handed the company over to him when he turned twenty-five, with his brother taking the helm of VP after he graduated with a degree in finance. Morgan had grown so much that he was able to create his own firm and took over again as president of my company when Everett was six. Lacey came to be my assistant on a permanent basis because I couldn’t do it without her.
We added a daycare to the building when the boys were little so that we both got stolen moments with them when we could.
“I’m loving it. Your sisters will be graduating high school soon and then your mother and I will be alone all over again unless you kids begin giving us grandbabies.”
“Not me. I’m not ready for a family.”
“Then I hope you’re being careful.”
“I consider abstinence as careful as it gets, Dad. Although the day I meet a woman worth marrying, I can’t promise anything.”
“Good man. Speaking of good women, I need to find your mother.” I clap my boy on the back and hunt for the other half of my soul.
I find her in the kitchen, talking to my youngest daughter, Posey. “Just be careful.”
“Careful about what?” I ask, glaring at the two.
“I’m going to the mall, Dad. It’s nothing. I’m seventeen.”
“Well, hearing your mother, I thought you were headed out to some ski trip or something.”
“Well, can I?”
“Hell no.” She rolls her eyes and gives her mother a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll be back for dinner. See ya, Dad.”
“What was that about?”
“She’s a moody teenager, Lincoln. What do you expect?”
“Do you think it’s got something to do with a boy?”
“I don’t know, but I suspect she like someone who doesn’t like her, but what can you do? Anyway…”
“Wait… some little prick doesn’t like my little girl?” I mean, it’s good, but who the fuck does he think he is?
“Calm down. I didn’t say that, but I haven’t got the details. She’s going to the mall with her best friend. I’ll talk to her later.” She knows more than she’s saying, and I will get it out of her.
“Fine.” I can feel the pressure building in my temples.
“Don’t fine me, Mr. Hardwick. It’s time to lie down.”
“I’m okay.” Damn it, I don’t want her to worry about me getting a headache. Everything has been great for a long time, and my heart is in great condition.