Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
“Don’t you like that? Men not wanting me?”
“I’m not an insecure man who feeds off my woman’s insecurities.” I grip her throat.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I know my worth. It was just a joke. I won’t do it again.”
I bait her more, tightening my grip.
"I’m not lying, Theo. I won’t say it again. Let’s go back before they call in a swat team to settle you down.”
I couldn’t help myself. Hanna doesn’t get insecure anymore. It’s not her thing. That isn’t the new her, the one who has put in so much time to love herself.
“You’re crazy. Seriously. Calm down a little. Jokes can still happen.” She takes my hand and leads me back toward the living room.
“Not at your expense,” I murmur.
We resume our spots, and everyone opens their gifts, enjoying each one, and when it comes time for mine, Hanna turns and rests her head on my knee, and I pet her hair. The room doesn’t see it or get it, but she does this move on purpose. My puppet shows me a small act of submission, worshiping me on a throne while she sits on the floor at my feet.
I open the gifts from my parents. My mother got me some clothes, and my father gave me a ticket to a basketball game in Charleston. Brenda got me a funny card and some gift cards.
And then it comes time for me to open Hanna’s. I get an envelope from her as well. Opening it up, I read the words.
My gift to you is one I would like to give you in private. It’s one I think you’ll really enjoy, but I prefer we be alone for it. I love you, Theo. Yours always.
My cock jumps. She’s going to give herself to me, and I feel she has it all planned out. I don’t need material things. I just need her.
“I promise you will be over the moon. Later this afternoon.” She winks.
Now, I’ll be salivating, foaming at the mouth, dying to have her. Great.
“Oh, I bet. Now, you open yours.”
And she does. Each gift, she delicately unwraps. Hanna has a thing about wrapping paper. She hates to rip it and ruin it, so she takes her time. You would think the gifts she receives are worth millions by how much she thanks everyone. So much love and excitement.
“Mine now, babe.” I hand her a box, and she takes it. Looking up at me, she smiles. “Go on, you don’t even know what it is yet.”
“I know it's going to be amazing already.” Dropping her eyes back down, she takes the velvet box and opens the top of it slowly. Inside it is a diamond bracelet with a locket on it. Her eyes glisten, tears welling behind her thick lashes. “Oh, Theo, this is stunning. You shouldn’t have spent this much on me.”
Ignoring that comment, I tell her to lift the velvet inside. When she does, she pulls out a piece of paper. Unfolding it, she reads it aloud.
“The second piece of this present is in the bedroom. Go find it, pretty baby.” She looks up and quirks a brow.
I get what she’s insinuating, and I laugh. "No. Go check the bedroom. It's sitting on the bed.”
“All right. It better be something good.” Standing, she heads up the stairs, and I wait a moment.
“Does she have any idea?” Brenda asks, and I shake my head.
“What is it?” my father asks.
“B, you tell them. I’m going to go be with her. We’ll head to your cabin in a little bit for dinner.” It’s Christmas Day, and trying to find a reservation at a nice restaurant in the city isn’t going to happen, so we’ll make it for tomorrow night, on our last one here.
“Sounds good. Good luck.”
I stand, hug my parents and Brenda, then I take the stairs. When I get to the door, I can hear sniffling. She found it. I take up the doorway and lean against the frame, crossing my arms and watching her closely. She sits on the bed, completely fixated on the letter in her hand.
“I have family?” she finally asks. Sitting in the middle of the bed, she peers up at me.
“You do. She was born a few years after you. She was also put in the system, and she’s living in Idaho now.”
“Theo… h-how did you find this out?”
I step into the room, taking long strides until I reachher. Dropping to my haunches, I place my hand on her knees.
“How did I not sooner, baby? This is my job. It’s what I do. Just a couple of months ago, I got curious, started doing some digging, and I found her.” I wipe away her tear.
“Does she know about me?”
I shake my head. “I wanted to wait until you knew and gave you the chance to decide what to do with that information.”