Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I glanced down at my arms. “Whatever cranks your engine, Lady.”
“Oh, it does. It really does.”
Her phone rang, and she answered it on speaker.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Mouse. How are things going?”
She glanced my way with a smile. It was another new one. Sweet, almost shy. I liked it. Then she averted her eyes and spoke to her dad.
“Great. Plans are set and full steam ahead.”
“Awesome. We’ll be there a week from today.”
“How many?” she asked.
“Five or six.”
“Really?” she gasped, delighted. “Dad, that’s awesome!”
“Many hands, light work, you know. Bentley gave us the plane. Might as well fill it. Aiden arranged transportation and accommodation for us, so no need to pick us up. We’ll be at the ranch mid-afternoon, and you can walk us around and fill us in.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Dad. You’ll love it here.”
“I’m looking forward to it. See you soon, Mouse.”
“Love you, Dad. Say hi to Mom and Mila.”
“I will. Love you more,” he responded.
She hung up, and I looked at her, one eyebrow raised in question. “Bentley gave us the plane?”
“My uncle owns his own plane. He is very generous.”
“Wow.” I couldn’t compete in that world.
She shrugged.
“And what accommodation?”
“I don’t know. I assume a local motel or something. Dad will fill me in when he gets here.”
I wiped my fingers, picking up a cracker and a piece of cheese. “So, Mouse, is it?”
She smiled. “Dad gave me that nickname the day I met him. He was so big, he looked like a giant to me.” She sighed. “I think I loved him from that moment. He was larger-than-life.”
“You mentioned he adopted you.”
“Yes. He met my mom when I was five, and he adopted me as soon as they got married. He’s the only dad I’ve ever known. My sperm donor was a piece of work, and I’ve never had anything to do with him. Van—Dad—has been a constant in my life, and I couldn’t ask for a better man for a parent.”
“And you have siblings?”
“Two. They adopted my brother Reed after they got married. He’s my baby brother except he’s older than me.”
I laughed. “I see. Then they had Mila?”
“No, she is adopted as well. My dad couldn’t have kids, but they had lots of love to spare.”
“I can’t either,” I said without thinking.
Sammy’s eyes grew round. “You can’t have kids?”
I cursed myself for letting that information out. “No. I had an accident in my twenties. The damage was significant.”
She reached across the table, gripping my hand. “I’m sorry, Luke.”
“I’ve come to terms with it.” I shook my head. “Anne, my fiancée at the time, couldn’t. She walked out on me.” I had no idea why I was telling her all of this.
She didn’t offer me pity or platitudes. “That must have devastated you.”
“It did.”
“She wouldn’t consider adoption?”
I snorted. “She wouldn’t consider anything less than her ideal, no. She moved on quickly. Married another guy a few towns over, had three kids. I saw her at a festival some years ago. I don’t think that marriage made her happy either, so maybe it was for the best. I didn’t feel anything but relief at not being the one getting the disappointed looks thrown his way.”
“Best out, then,” Sammy murmured.
“So, I can’t get you pregnant by accident,” I said, wanting to lighten the sudden heavy atmosphere. “My worry about the condoms was more to make you feel safe.”
She studied me for a moment. “I do feel safe with you.”
“Good.” I looked at her empty plate with a grin. “You finished storing up your energy, Mouse?” I teased.
She rolled her eyes but smiled. “What you got in mind there, Cowboy?”
“I think you wanted proof I can bed you…in a bed.”
“That would make a nice change.”
I leaned forward. “I meant what I said, Sammy. I don’t do long-term. I don’t do the forever thing.”
She stood, putting away the last of the food. She leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. “And I’m not asking for it. I’m a big girl, Luke. I can handle sex without commitment.”
I wasn’t entirely sure I believed her. “Can I ask why? I mean, you seem like the sort of girl who would.”
“I like my life. My freedom. I come and go without anyone telling me what to do. There was someone a long time ago, and he thought he could control what I did. Who I was. I learned really quickly that wasn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong. I think love, the right kind, is amazing. I see it in my family. My parents have it. But I don’t need it to be happy.”
I stood and crossed the floor, standing in front of her. “I see.”
“I also like sex. I like sex with you. I like spending time with you, Cowboy. You’re sexy and funny, and when you’re not being a jackass, you’re sweet.”
“Thanks,” I said drolly.