Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
She shuffles toward me, which warms my heart. Her trust. In front of her mom.
I take her hand and help her sit next to me, keeping her hand in mine. I hold it against my thigh.
Ilsa’s eyes widen again as she stares at our connection.
“He knows I’m Little, Mom.”
“Okay.” She turns her gaze toward me again.
“I promise to be careful with your daughter’s heart,” I tell her.
Josie turns toward me, tipping her head back.
Ilsa stands, clutching her purse at her side. “Okay. I’ll go. I was just worried about you.”
“I’m so sorry I forgot to text you last night, Mom. I was frazzled.”
“It’s okay, honey. Maybe the two of you could come to dinner next weekend? I’m sure your father will want to meet Chase.”
Josie’s breath hitches as if she hates this idea, but when I glance at her, I don’t think it’s her parents she’s worried about. It’s me. She doesn’t think I would want to go.
I release Josie’s hand and rise. “That sounds great. Let Josie know what night, and we’ll be there.” I walk her to the door and hold it open for her.
“Thank you.” She smiles at me. I think I chipped away at her concerns. I totally understand. She has every right to be protective of her daughter. I will work my ass off to prove myself worthy. I have no problem with that. I’m glad Josie has good parents who are supportive, know she’s Little, and don’t judge her. It’s a blessing.
After I shut the door, I return to Josie, sit next to her again, and take her hand.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she says.
“Do what?”
“Agree to have dinner with my parents. They’re overprotective.”
“They worry about you. They love you. I’m so glad you have them. I want to get to know them.”
“You’re serious.”
“Very.”
She licks her lips.
I lift my free hand, making sure she’s watching me as I cup her face. “You look so pretty this morning.”
I love how her cheeks flush. “I don’t have many other things. This is how I dress.”
“Well, I love it. You’re perfect just the way you are. I love that you allow yourself to be you.” I drag my thumb over her lips. “I have to go so I can run home, shower, and change for work. Will you be okay? You seem less anxious this morning.”
“I’ll be fine. I have to work today too.”
“I meant to ask you. What do you do for work?”
“I translate novels into German.”
I blink. “I had no idea. How fascinating. I guess your mom is German?” Now that I think about it, she might have had a slight accent.
“Yes. My parents raised me bilingual.”
“That’s amazing. So you work from home?”
“Yes. Translators are in high demand. It’s hard to find qualified people. I have a waiting list.”
“That is so cool.” I’m truly intrigued.
She shrugs. “It’s just a job. Luckily I usually love it. Unless the book is boring.” She giggles.
“I guess that happens sometimes too.” I’m still holding her face. “May I come back after work, Little one?”
“If you want to. You don’t have to.”
I lean closer. “I want to see you every single day for the rest of my life. I want everything with you. But first, I want to kiss you again.”
She smiles. “Okay.”
I lower my lips to hers and kiss her soundly, teasing her lips again with my tongue. When I draw back, I love how she’s panting. “I get off at six. Can I bring dinner?”
She nods.
“I’ll put my number in your phone, Baby girl. You text me during the day and let me know what foods you hate and what foods are your favorite, okay?”
She licks her pretty lips. “Okay.”
“Good girl.” I release her to grab my shoes and put them back on. God, I don’t want to leave. I know as soon as I’m out the door, her doubts will seep in, and I hate that.
I need to get moving though, so I quickly gather my things, program my number into her phone under the name Daddy and kiss her again at the door. “I’ll be here by seven, Little one.”
“Okay.”
I lift a brow and grin at her. “Okay what?”
She giggles. “Okay, Daddy.”
Damn, I’m in deep.
Chapter Seven
Josie
The day drags. I go through my normal routine after Chase leaves, eating my breakfast and settling down at my desk to get to work. It’s hard to focus though. My mind keeps wandering back to last night and this morning.
I keep wondering if I imagined things. Did Chase Reynolds really help me get out of the club last night, tuck me into bed, and sleep on my couch?
“He was just being nice,” I repeat several times during the day. It’s hard to believe that lie though because he texts me at least once every hour. He tells me he’s thinking about me. He asks me how my day is going. He reminds me to let him know what foods I like.