Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“I promise I eat more than pizza,” he admits, voice low. “I had planned to cook dinner, but I got stuck at my mom’s house. My asshole brother told the entire family I spent the night out last night.” I burst out laughing at the look on his face. “I had to remind them that I’m a thirty-six-year-old man who doesn’t need to explain myself.”
“Oops.” I can’t sympathize with him. My family isn’t close, and no one cares if I stay out or not. There’s a weird ache in my chest as I watch Beckett plate up pizza and pour wine like it’s the most normal thing in the world. I think about the last time I had a “family dinner” with anyone. I can’t even remember. But right now, watching him laugh and drag his hand through his hair, I realize this is what I want my “normal” to be.
He glances over and winks. My brain short-circuits. It’s possible I’m obsessed, but at least I’m in good company.
We flop on the couch, my feet tucked under me, Beckett’s arm heavy around my shoulders.
He grabs the remote and scans the movie options. “Anything you’re in the mood for?”
“Whatever you want.” He flicks through a few choices, and I pretend to care, but the truth is, the only thing I want is to curl up against him and soak in the feeling of being right where I belong.
“Action or comedy?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder at me.
“Comedy.” I lean back against him and feel my muscles turn to goo.
He grins, all wicked and sweet at the same time. “You got it, Hot Doc.”
I snort out a laugh, then almost choke on my wine when he picks the most ridiculous buddy movie possible. Within ten minutes, I’m giggling like an idiot, barely paying attention to the screen as Beckett keeps up a running commentary that makes everything ten times funnier.
At some point, I realize he’s not even watching the movie. He’s just watching me while his thumb traces lazy circles over my shoulder.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
BECKETT
The movie credits roll, but I don’t remember one thing about the goddamn movie. All I’m focused on is the feel of Elsie’s body locked against mine, her hair tickling my jaw as she melts into my side. The sound of her laugh, the way she rolls her eyes at every dumb joke I make, the satisfied little sigh she lets out when she realizes the animal crew has passed out in a heap at our feet.
Jesus, I want her. I want her so fucking much it’s actually painful.
The cat, the pig, and the dog are sprawled out on the giant pet bed like they’ve lived together their entire lives. Beans is belly-up, snoring so hard his bristly sides quiver. Pork has his face buried in the curve of Beans’ stomach. And Mr. Snugglebutt? The drama queen is dead center, orange fluff everywhere, one paw thrown over the carcass of a toy mouse like a villain hoarding his loot.
Elsie stares at the animal pile-up, and I watch the way her eyes go soft and shiny, the way her cheeks flush as she bites her lip to hold back a smile. Fucking hell, she’s beautiful. Her whole face glows as she drinks in the sight of our weird little family sprawled out together, like it’s the last puzzle piece snapping into place.
I can’t pretend I don’t know what this means. Not with the way my chest feels tight and hollow at the same time, the way my hands itch to reach for her and never let go.
“Look at them,” she whispers, voice cracking and sweet. “They already love each other.”
“Fuck yeah, they do,” I murmur, barely recognizing my own voice. Christ, I sound like an idiot, but it’s the truth. I can’t take my eyes off her. She looks at the three sleeping animals like she’s never seen anything so perfect in her life.
I want to lock this in. Make it permanent. I can’t fucking help myself. I tip her chin up so she has to look at me, has to see just how hard she’s got me hooked. “That’s because we’re a family now.” My voice is rough as hell, barely more than a growl. “You’re supposed to be here, Elsie. So are they. Feels like the universe finally got its shit together.”
She blinks, lips parted, cheeks flushed from the wine, or it might be from the way I’m staring at her like I want to eat her alive.
Fuck, if she only knew.
I drag my thumb over her bottom lip. Her breath hitches, her eyes so wide and blue I want to drown in them. “You know what I want?” I whisper, my voice low and rough. “I want you here. All the time. In my bed, in my house, with our weird little animal crew. I want you waking up next to me every damn day. Yeah, I know it’s fast. I don’t give a fuck.”