Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
I’m growling, taking her to the bathroom, stripping off her clothes before our feet even touch the tile.
I don’t give her time to admire the walk-in shower with its heated bench or the double rainfall heads ready to amplify the steam that’s already so thick around us. She can do that later, preferably when I’m buried in her.
I barely switch the shower on before she’s against the wall.
Fuck yes, she’s ready.
I know she’s soaked before my fingers even open her pussy.
They don’t play long before my greedy cock demands attention.
We’re two strumming hearts and all friction under the hot spray, and again in the bed.
We make our own violent music from instruments of need denied for far too long.
I fuck her with a raging fury that rips me in two.
Soon, she’s exploding on my cock, grinding my name into the pillow and then my hand, hounding me to come inside her.
No hesitation.
No choice.
There’s just this rough, bone-shaking, guttural thrust as I drive into her womb and unload, filling her like I want to breed her again.
I know it sounds like lunacy.
I don’t fucking care.
Something about having one surprise kid with her makes me feral, dredging up this wild possessive instinct from the depths of my soul.
“This feels like turning a page,” she murmurs later, curled against my chest. “…tell me it’s not just me, Patton.”
The words lodge in my chest, carving out a home.
It’s a dream and a promise all at once.
I wrap an arm over the dip of her waist and pull her against me.
“It’s not just you. And we should tell him, Salem. I know it’s early, but it’s killing me to spend time like this without him knowing.”
Like I said.
Lunacy.
She tenses.
“I know, I get how you feel, but…” She hesitates. I know her answer before she gives it. “It’s just so soon.”
“You said you wanted to wait until we were sure.” I push my forehead to hers, kissing her, pulling back only to lock eyes. “In case you couldn’t tell, I’ve made up my damn mind.”
“I know, and I—well, I did, too. But I think we should wait, Patton. Just a little while longer to be safe.”
Bitter disappointment churns in my throat, but I keep my voice level as I say, “Okay. I get it.”
“Please just give it time. It’s not like I don’t want to.”
“I will. You’re right, Lady Bug.” There’s nothing to do now but agree with the voice of reason.
She has ten thousand times more experience raising this boy than I do.
Also, it’s a big adjustment. So mammoth it could crush the poor kid if it isn’t done right.
She kisses me again, tracing her fingers along my jaw. “It means a lot that you want to step up,” she murmurs. “I just want to help you do this right.”
I smile into her teasing touch, everything tempting my mouth to want to blow her to pieces again.
“I know. We can’t rush into this.”
“You’re just impatient,” she teases, flashing her tongue.
“He’s my son, Salem, and he doesn’t know it. He doesn’t recognize me.” I take a breath before I can tell her the dream I’ve had damn near every night since Utah.
It’s the one where Arlo sits at my breakfast bar, drawing one of his masterpieces. He’s busy scribbling and he calls me “Dad.”
“I hope this is enough for now,” she whispers, kissing the corner of my mouth, then the tip of my nose. “This right here. You and me. This is good.”
It is, and it should be the world.
Just having her safe in my arms like this is one dream come true.
But I’m an impatient creature.
I’m not stick-up-the-ass Dexter or boring levelheaded Archer.
I know Arlo’s mine. I can see myself mirrored in everything he does now. His love for pizza, the way he’s into superheroes, how he throws himself into new experiences so fearlessly.
His life.
His eyes.
Fuck.
Before, life was all about making money and trying not to shit things up like the spoiled brat most people think I am. Whether that was thanks to Higher Ends or the Navy or just growing up in a house where money and wealth were piled on my shoulders from day one.
Until now, I didn’t have a clear idea of what the future should look like.
It was always vague, caped in fog like the early mornings this time of year. But the sun has risen and I see what’s nearly in my grasp.
All mine for the taking, if I’m man enough to reach out.
And I want to.
I want to know what life will look like with Salem Hopper, when I can step up to be a dad and her man.
This time, I want forever.
19
ONE BIG WIN (SALEM)
As the weeks trickle by and winter thaws, we start living part-time at Patton’s place.
Entire weekends plus half the evenings during the week.
At first, I was worried Arlo would question it, but he’s taken the big change in stride.