Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
"I bet they're proud as hell of you, Sunshine."
"I hope so," I whisper, clearing my throat. "I've got some big shoes to fill."
He pushes away from the wall, striding toward me. "They are," he assures me. "If they know you, they're proud of you, baby."
My heart flutters. "It's nice talking to someone who doesn't know anything about them," I admit with a small smile.
"I imagine it's exhausting always being surrounded by people who have ulterior motives," he says, hooking an arm around my waist to pull me closer.
"It is," I agree. "Sometimes it feels like no one really sees me. They look at me and see my parents or a way to get to my parents."
"Well, let me assure you that I see you, Sunshine," he says firmly. "I don't give a fuck if you're famous. I don't care who your parents are. I love the person standing right here in front of me."
I feel a flush of warmth spread through me at his words. No one has ever talked to me like that before. I've always been someone's daughter or someone to know. No one has ever just seen me as Sutton.
"Thank you," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiles at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that makes me want to drop to my knees and worship at his feet. "You don't have to thank me, baby."
We stand there for a moment, just looking at each other. The tension between us is palpable, making my heart race. Will there ever be a day when I don't want this man more than I want air? Doubtful.
But then Caleb clears his throat and steps back with a groan. "As much as I like that look in your eyes right now, I need to get this fucking pipe laid before I think about laying the kind of pipe you're after, Sunshine. Because if I take my cock out now, you won't have running water today."
I reluctantly take a step away from him, giving him a playful smirk. "Well, then, Mr. Not-a-Plumber," I say. "I guess I'll leave you to your…pipe laying."
He reaches out, gently touching my cheek. His eyes are soft, his smile almost boyish. "You make it too easy, Sunshine," he says.
"What?"
"Loving you."
My heart skips a beat, my stomach fluttering. Lord, I'm glad Noah chose this town. I'm glad I had a leak. I'm glad George Watson was out of town. I'm glad for a thousand little things that set me on the path that led me right here to this moment with this wicked, wild, wonderful man because I wouldn't change a single one of them.
Chapter Nine
Sutton
Isit on the leather bench in front of the grand piano, my fingers hovering over the ivory keys. The stillness of the room is broken only by the soft breeze blowing through the window, its lullaby a soft serenade against the muted hush of dawn. I tap out a rhythm, a melody forming and unforming in my mind like a river carving its way to the ocean.
I muse, ponder, and then play. It's nothing more than a simple tune at first, a sweet combination of notes that twine together in an endearing symphony. But as I lose myself in the music, it grows more complex, more filled with emotion and raw honesty. It speaks of passion and desire, of longing and love. Each note is a confession, a secret whispered to the early morning.
It's about Caleb and the way he makes me feel.
Koda howls along at my feet, his tiny voice adding a touch of rustic charm to my composition. I can't hold back a laugh. "You're off-key," I tell him playfully.
He looks up at me with those big brown eyes of his filled with defiance and pride, then growls low in his throat—a vocal protest of my critique.
"You think you can do better?" I ask him with an amused grin.
His answer is another growl followed by a series of short barks that sound suspiciously like a doggie version of 'yes.'
Laughing again, I stoop to ruffle the soft hair on his head and then return to my playing.
The shrill ring of the phone breaks through my blissful bubble. My heart leaps in my chest as I snatch it up without missing a beat on the keys.
"Do you miss me already, handsome?" I breathe into the receiver, hoping for Caleb's deep, grumbly voice. He only left for work an hour ago, but I miss him already.
Who am I kidding? I missed him as soon as he walked out of the door. I'm so hopelessly in love with him. As soon as he's away from me, my body craves him with an intensity I've never felt for anything. I spend every night lost in him and the pleasure he wrings from me, orgasm after shaking orgasm. It's still not enough to satisfy me. I don't think I'll ever have enough of him to satisfy me.