Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“I can drive myself.” She sips her coffee.
“Not in that deathtrap.” I take a plate from Mrs. Lou and place it in front of Marigold, then grab the syrup and pour her a hefty amount.
“Woah.” She takes a bite of her crisp bacon. “That’s plenty. I don’t need to flirt with diabeetus at this early age.”
I smirk at her pronunciation. I rather like it when she’s cheeky, I’ve found.
I fill her glass with fresh orange juice. “I’ll drive you to the shelter. I have some business in the city, and then I can pick you up when your shift is over.”
She shakes her head. “I can drive.”
“Is this a sticking point for you, little thief?” I ask her.
“Yes.” She shrugs. “I like driving.”
“All right then. But you won’t be driving your car until I’ve had a thorough inspection and repair done on it.”
She frowns and takes a big bite of crispy hashbrowns. The moan she lets out goes straight to my cock. Fuck, she’s sexy, and she doesn’t even realize it.
“So good, Mrs. Lou!” she calls.
“Enjoy it, my dear. There’s more where that came from.”
“If I’m not driving my car, then how–”
“I’ll give you one of mine. Whichever you like.”
She raises a brow. “Is that a good idea? I mean, I am a thief. What if I take it to Mexico and sell it for parts?”
“I appreciate you looking out for me, Goldie, but I think I can handle the risk.” I take a bite of the bacon on my plate, crunching it as I watch her enjoy her breakfast.
It’s strange. I’ve never watched anyone eat before–and certainly not with interest. But with Marigold, I find everything she does somewhat adorable. From the way she wipes her mouth with the napkin to the way she brings her coffee cup to her lips. It’s like I’m devouring every little bit of what makes her her. I’m voracious for it. Desperate, in fact.
“What? Is there something on my face?” She runs her napkin in a wide ring around her mouth when she notices me staring.
“Not at all.”
She finishes her breakfast and turns to me. “Look, Avery. I know you think we’re engaged, but–”
“We are engaged.”
“Will tomorrow night work?” Mr. Lou calls from the hallway where he’s on the phone setting up the wedding arrangements.
“Tonight,” I reply. I’m not waiting for Marigold. She’s what I want. I know it the same as I know when a jewel is a real or a fake. Marigold–she’s the real deal.
“All right.” He bustles back into the hallway and keeps talking.
“That’s not how this works.” She looks at the ring on her finger.
“This is how we work.” I pull her chair closer to me, caging her between my legs and arms. “I know you’re meant to be here with me, Goldie. You strolling into my greenhouse wasn’t an accident.”
“You think this is fate?” she asks.
I take my hand and place it to her chest. Her heartbeat speeds up, her lips parting as she looks up at me.
“Do you feel that?” I ask.
She swallows hard, her gaze going to my lips. “Y-yes.”
“Call it fate or whatever you want.” I lean closer, my mouth grazing hers. “But you and I are forever. If I have to spend forever proving it to you, then so be it.”
Her eyes flutter closed, and I kiss her, tasting the sweetness of her and the syrup wrapped into one. Her heart beats even faster, matching my own, and I press her to me, needing to feel her.
Her hands go to my shoulders, and she holds on as we kiss deeply, our tongues and souls dancing as I silently propose to her again and again, promising her a life of love and nothing less.
When I finally pull back and let her breathe, she seems dazed, her pupils blown as she licks her lips.
“Tonight.” I nuzzle her neck. “You and me.”
She nods, her body so warm as I run the tip of my tongue along her throat.
“I don’t want to let you go,” I admit. “I’d much rather take you upstairs and lick you for hours.”
She trembles then sighs. “My pussy–errr, I mean the cats. At the shelter. Yes. That’s what I have to do today. That’s where my head’s at. On them. Not on me.”
“You certain?” I kiss her throat.
“Yes.” She doesn’t sound certain.
I cup her breast and rub my thumb over her hard nipple. “My offer stands.”
“Ummm. I ummm.” She takes my wrist. “I have to go. They need me.”
I groan, and when I pull back, she looks almost miserable about her decision. That brings a smirk to my face. “Let’s go. The sooner you’re done at the shelter, the sooner I can give you what you need, little thief.”
“Yes, right. The, um, shelter.” She slides off her stool and backs away a few steps, as if distance can clear her head.