Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
“It must’ve been weird for you to find me during one of my episodes. Next time, just wake one of the kids or Jin. I hate that you had to deal with it.”
I scoff, once again hating the feeling of being an outsider here. “We’re family now. Remember, Dad? It’s just what you do.”
He opens his mouth like he wants to say more, but just shakes his head. Guilt quells up inside me. Maybe my response was a little too sarcastic and rude. I like Owen. I’m not looking to cause trouble for him.
“Ugh,” I rush out. “I’m being a brat.”
He snorts and flashes me a sexy grin. “At least you’re in a house full of them. I’m used to it.”
“I really do like it here,” I continue, unable to keep from giving him a smile back. “This is how a home is supposed to be.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle as his smile widens. “That means a lot to me. You have no idea.”
I set my coffee mug down on my end table and stand back up. Owen stuffs his hands in his slacks’ pocket, navy blue eyes tracking my movement as I make my way over to him. His gaze burns into me, hotter each step closer I get. When I’m only a foot or so away from him, I stop and tilt my head up.
“Thanks for being so kind to me.” Before I can stop myself, I slide my arms under his, wrapping them around him.
He’s stiff at first but then he pulls his hands out of his pockets to return the hug. Like a creep, I inhale his freshly sprayed cologne, eyes fluttering closed. His arms are strong and hold me tight.
It’s nice.
Really nice.
Especially since I never get this from my own parents. Dad will give me the occasional peck on top of the head, but it’s rare. All my hugs come from Penny.
“And thank you for getting me back to bed last night,” Owen murmurs, hot breath tickling the hair on top of my head. “That had to be awkward for you, but you handled it beautifully. You’re a real gem, Mei, and I’m happy to know you.”
He releases me all too soon which has me mimicking his actions. When he doesn’t move away, I tilt my head up, studying him up close. Owen truly is one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen in real life. Like movie star handsome. His smile is my favorite part of him.
My bangs bounce each time I blink, capturing Owen’s gaze. With a crooked grin, he lifts his hand and delicately brushes them aside, revealing my eyes. His mouth opens as if he wants to say something, but he abruptly clamps it shut. Then, as if something occurs to him, he takes several steps back, his smile transforming to an unnatural, forced one.
“Right, so dinner at seven sound good?”
I nod and hug my arms around me, fighting off the chill of his sudden retreat. “We like Smoke & Sugar. I’ll be there.”
“Good,” he says quickly. “I need to go or the kids will be late. Promise me you’ll text if you need something.”
“Promise.”
This time, his warm smile is back. “Good girl.”
He strides out of the bedroom without another word. I’m left reeling at his last spoken words. Good girl. It’s such an innocent thing to say, but his praise embeds itself into my soul. For someone who’s ached for attention, love, hell, even acknowledgment, this small phrase does things to me.
Bad things.
Twisted, wrong things.
Awareness trickles over me like a cold, jarring rain shower. I’m attracted to my stepfather. Really, really into him. I’ve been hanging on his every word and devouring him with my gaze. And that’s after hardly twelve hours of knowing him.
What is wrong with me?
Furthermore, how do I get it to stop?
Chapter 5
Owen
This morning was uncomfortable. What a way to welcome my new stepdaughter. She saw me at my most vulnerable and was kind enough to get me back to bed. Of course, once I fully woke, I couldn’t get the humiliation off that clung to me like a second skin.
So fucking embarrassing.
Not to mention, I’m completely out of it during my episodes. I hate not knowing what I said or did during those moments. In the past, or so I’ve been told, if I speak, it’s mumbling or a name. Nothing of substance. Still, it’s stressful.
And Mei got a front row seat at my shit show.
To say things were awkward this morning was an understatement. I’ve been worried about it all day.
“How many?” a familiar voice asks, jerking me from my obsessive thoughts.
I clear my throat and give Savvy a friendly smile. “Six and a high chair tonight.”
My gaze falls to Savvy’s stomach since she’s absently rubbing it and drawing my attention to it. A small bump indicates she’s pregnant. Rhett mentioned it, but it’s a whole other thing to see it in person.