Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Not leaving you alone.”
“My dad will either have a stroke or kill you.”
“Nah, he and I are coming to an understanding.”
“Then I will kill you. Get out.”
I chuckle lowly. “Careful, Princess, your neck is splotching. We don’t want you worked up.”
“This is not funny. You are being intrusive.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“Never mind, I’ll stay in this heinous hospital gown,” she snips.
My arms curls around her waist, tagging her to me. I sweep my lips across hers, feeling her breath hitch. “You have three minutes. I’ll be outside the door.”
Before she can argue, I close her in.
Sterling shuffles through the door, stopping dead when he sees the empty bed.
“She’s changing.”
He scrubs his hands over his face, dropping his chin to his chest. For the first time since we arrived, I witness the man’s demanding character slip as his shoulders slump. “I wish Stacy wouldn’t have woken her.”
I remain quiet because regardless of my thoughts, Stacy is still his wife.
“Even through it all, she is worried.”
“She’s her mother.”
His angry eyes slice up to meet mine. “She made selfish and bad decisions.”
“Willow said the same thing.”
“She told you?”
“No details.”
“It’s not a pretty story, but it’s also not mine to tell. You want to date my daughter?”
His question comes out of the blue. “I am dating your daughter.”
“You see this going somewhere?”
“Think that’s obvious.”
“Then make sure you take care of her. She’s been hurt by the people who were supposed to love her the most, including me.”
I don’t get to expand on this information because Willow comes out of the bathroom looking completely refreshed.
“I’m starving,” she tells her dad. “Think you can pull some strings and get me something safe and approved?”
He smiles, the anger disappearing as he grins. “Sure, something can be arranged.”
“Good.” She breezes past me and climbs into the bed. “And so you both know, barring any allergic effects, I’m going home tomorrow.”
Sterling and I lock gazes, thinking the same thing.
She may be going home. But she’s not going home alone.
As pissed as she is, she can’t hide her reaction when we turn onto my street and the house comes into view. The closer we get, the more her eyes and mouth widen.
“This is where you live with Ford?”
“For now.” I don’t elaborate my plans to build a house around the corner.
“This isn’t even a home… it’s a mansion.”
“It’s a home.”
“Talon, I can’t stay here. I’ll get lost.”
“I’ll draw you a map.”
“Seriously, I won’t feel comfortable. Isn’t this about my comfort?”
“I’ll make sure you’re comfortable.”
“You can stay with me.”
“Babe, I tried out your bed while you were showering. There is no way we can both sleep on it.”
“I’ll take the couch!” she disputes.
“You’re not sleeping on the couch.”
“Bex will come stay with me.” She uses the same excuse she tried this morning.
“Bex is working and I have the next two days off.”
She chews on her bottom lip and continues to stare in awe as I park around the back.
“I’ll stay with my grandparents.”
I click her out of her seatbelt, lifting her into my lap and threading my fingers through her hair. “I promised your family I’d take care of you. Let me do that.”
“How many bedrooms does this place have?”
“I think the floorplan says seven. Plus, the pool house.”
“Seven is a lot.”
“It’s a nice place. Celia and Doug Whitman built it with their family in mind.”
“Whitman? As in Whitman Estates? The neighborhood is named after them?”
“They developed it.”
“Wow, that’s insane.” An uneasy feeling coils in my gut and I cup her chin, trying to gauge what she’s thinking.
“Willow, your brother is a physician, and you’re soon to be a doctor. Your mother strutted into the hospital sporting Jimmy Choos, your dad wears a Rolex, and your grandparents roll around in a ninety-thousand-dollar Escalade. You’re not new to money.”
She casts her gaze upward, sucking in a breath. “No, I’m not new to money, but believe it or not, I’m pretty frugal.”
“Hundred-dollar leggings aren’t exactly frugal.”
“Those are an exception.” She straightens, a flicker of righteousness in her tone. “And I buy most on sale.”
“No complaints from me.” I squeeze her waist. “You prancing around in these tight pants and skimpy shirts is a bonus.”
She rolls her eyes. “Men are so stupid.”
“Maybe, but we know what is sexy. And you in this get-up is fucking sexy.”
“I’m dressing in sweatpants the next few days.”
“Can’t hide your brand of sexy in whatever you wear.”
Her face softens and she drops her forehead to mine. “This is weird.”
“It’s only weird if you make it that way.”
“This house is lavish. I’m not sure I’ll be comfortable.”
“You’ll be surprised. Give it a chance.”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice, Willow, but I’m asking you to give it a chance. Pool, hot tub, media room, game room, fully stocked kitchen, plenty of space for the dogs. If you can’t stand it, we’ll go back to your place and I’ll deal.”