Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“I think he’s asleep, Grace.”
“Hmm,” she hums. “I better figure out how to get up and get him in bed. It’s past his bedtime.”
I stand up and bend down to get him. “I’ll help you,” I whisper as I take him from her lap. Asher barely stirs as he curls into me.
“You don’t have to do that,” she argues, but I shake my head.
“Show me to his room, sweetheart.” I see the way her body jerks with the endearment I used. I’m not sorry. Grace doesn’t know what’s in store for her yet. I’ve never been the kind of man who thought things over. I decide what I want, and I go after it. That’s who I am. I’ve just never seen a woman that I wanted to go all in on. Before tonight, I was pretty sure that Grace was everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. After tonight, while watching the way she and her son interact with one another, I’m positive.
Grace lets out an annoyed sigh, and I fight to keep the smile off my face. I don’t want to risk pissing her off more. I follow her down a small hall that only contains three doors. This house really is tiny. I discovered earlier the bathroom and utility room are combined. Grace deserves so much better. I think she’ll love my house. I know Asher would like the bedroom I have in mind for him. I make a note to get Lyla started on fixing the room up especially for him. She can enlist Jasmine’s help. I want it perfect for the little guy.
As Grace switches on the bedside lamp, I take a quick look around the room. I do grin then. It’s filled with fish. There are giant stickers on the wall of Nemo and Dory. There are some sharks, too, and I figure this must be the Oscar that he was talking about. Grace turns down his covers, and I lay him down. He was already in his pajamas when I got here, so I turn to leave the room, giving her time to tuck her son in.
“Ford?”
I look over my shoulder at the sleepy toddler, who has his eyes open but looks like he’s still half asleep. “Yeah, buddy?”
“Will you come watch Shark Tales with me tomorrow?”
“Asher, I don’t think—”
“Sure, if that’s what you want. I’ll bring dinner again.”
Grace is shooting daggers at me with her eyes, but I just shrug my shoulders. There’s no way I’m going to disappoint that kid. She finally turns back to Asher while I walk out—going back to the living room. I pick up the pizza box and the other stuff. Carrying it to the kitchen, I throw away the trash, as well as putting Asher’s cup in the sink. I go back to the living room and fold the blanket, putting it in a chair. I’m just sitting down on the sofa when she walks in.
“You didn’t have to clean up,” she murmurs, not really looking at me.
“I know. I wanted to. Being a bachelor, I’ve learned to take care of myself and those important to me. It made me feel good to pick up for you, Grace.”
“I’m not really used to that. I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
“How about you just let me do what I want and see if you can learn to like it?”
Laughter splutters out of her mouth as she rolls her eyes. “You have to be the cockiest man on the face of the earth, Carter Ford.”
“I like that,” I murmur.
“Like what?”
“You happy and saying my name.” She shakes her head as I pat the cushion next to me. “Come over here, Grace.”
“I shouldn’t,” she responds, but slowly walks in my direction. I let her get in front of me before I reach out and pull her down onto my lap. She gasps, immediately stiffening in my arms.
“Shh,” I hum against her ear. “You’re safe with me, Gracie Lou Sutton.”
“You know my whole name?”
“I know a lot about you, Grace. Detective Garcia shared some. The rest I found out on my own.”
She tries to push out of my arms, obviously not liking this conversation at all. I refuse to let her go, holding her tightly against my body. “Calm down, Grace. I’d never hurt you. I’d cut off my own arms before I did that. I have a daughter, and I’d kill any man who hurt her. You have nothing to fear from me. Hell, baby, I’m not here to play games with you. I’m here, because I think you’re a fucking spectacular woman. I want to spend time with you. I want you in my life.”
“What on earth for? I think it’s pretty clear that I’m nothing special and I have more baggage than any man would want to deal with.”