Series: Lee Savino
Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“What?”
“Ground beef.”
Her smile lights her face.
“The triplets also had a joke book,” I tell her. “They went through a period where they told the same ones over and over.”
“What do you call cheese that’s not yours?” she asks cheerfully. Her enthusiasm for the joke is really selling it.
I shake my head, my grin stretching my face as I wait for the punchline.
“Nacho cheese,” she cries, and I crack up. My laugh creaks out of me. How long has it been since I’ve had a good belly laugh? Too long.
I need to laugh more. My sense of humor has gotten dusty.
I’m writing myself a prescription for more Maisy.
“You’re a delight,” I tell her with real feeling. She beams at me, and I’m struck by the dazzling stars in her eyes. I knew Maisy was gorgeous and just my type. But I’ve never gotten close enough to have a conversation with her, and now I’m regretting it. I’ve missed so much.
“Thank you.” Her cheeks are bright. She glances down at the ground. “I hope Daisy is calling Axel back. He can fix anything.”
Just like that, my jealousy is back.
“How well do you know my brother?” A growl creeps into my voice no matter how hard I try to keep it out.
“Axel? We’re friends. Just friends,” she clarifies with a little laugh.
I appreciate it because it allows me to get myself under control. It’s not right that I want to kill my own brother just because he smiled at her.
How close are they? I’ve never smelled his scent on her, but I wouldn’t because I’ve been keeping my distance from Maisy.
“He took me to prom as a favor to Daisy. Which was actually cool because everyone in my class had a crush on him.” Another little laugh, this one self-deprecating. I try to keep my cool and listen, really listen.
“He takes me on rides sometimes,” she sounds wistful. “We just cruise the mountain roads and listen to music. Not often, just when I need to get away from it all.”
I frown. What does she need to get away from? I don’t know her, not really. And I hate that.
There’s a long moment of silence while she stares into the distance, and I try to read her. She’s tense, almost like she’s gearing up for something.
“Do you want to go on a date with me?” Maisy blurts.
I’m not sure who is more shocked–me or her. Her eyes widen even further, and she leans her head back a little, as if to create more distance between us.
I’m about to shut her down as gently as I can because there’s no way on Earth I can go on a date with this exquisite creature without her ending up naked and fucked so thoroughly she wouldn’t be able to walk straight when I remember her New Year’s resolution list. Number six: Go on a date.
If I don’t take her out, she might ask Axel or some other asshole, and I’m not sure my bear could handle that without tearing the guy to bits and scattering his body across the mountain.
Maybe it’s time to stop watching her from a distance and be a bigger part of her life. I can’t claim her yet, but maybe I can be the guy to help her gain some confidence.
That will mean getting closer, but I think I can manage it. I can tweak the Moon Cure compound and up my dose. That will allow me to keep my bear–and fate–under control while I help my beautiful girl spread her wings and fly.
Maybe it’s time for me to break my rules.
Time for me to recognize my interest in Maisy for what it is…
She’s my fated mate.
She belongs to me, which means she’s mine to encourage and mold. If I’m careful, I might be able to do that without taking over her life. I can be the Mr. Knightly to her Emma–guiding and encouraging until she’s matured enough to handle a man like me.
Besides, I don’t think I can stay away. I need more Maisy in my life.
She reads my hesitation as rejection, and her face turns a deep shade of purple. “Sorry,” she says. “That was highly inappropriate. I mean, you’re my doctor and all…”
I’m not her main medical care provider, actually, but I realize she’s trying to give me an out.
I take her hand again. “I would love to go on a date with you, Maisy.”
Chapter Four
Maisy
I can’t believe I actually did it. I asked my crush on a date. And he said yes!
I never could’ve done it, but being with him is so…easy. I feel so relaxed.
Except now that I’ve done it, I realize what I’ve done.
“You would?” Inexplicably, my eyes fill with tears, and I blink them back. Why in the hell would I feel like crying when the man I’ve been fantasizing about since I was a teen said he’d like to go on a date with me?