Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
A mental image of Razor with his hairy butt sticking up for an esthetician to slather hot wax over popped into her mind. She stared at him for a couple of seconds before exploding with delighted laughter. He joined her this time with deep chuckles that somehow aroused her.
Honey realized he was making a point. They each came with pluses and minuses. Her MS didn’t scare him.
“I don’t care if you have a hairy bottom,” she told him.
“Thank goodness. I don’t care if you have MS.”
He couldn’t truly feel like this—really understand what her present and future held. “Razor, you don’t need to say that to be nice. We just met. The reality of my disease impacts my life in so many ways. I’m not normal,” she explained as he entered her street.
Razor remained quiet until he pulled into her driveway. He put the car in park and turned off the engine. Her heart sank as he stepped out of the door and circled the car to open hers. Silently, he leaned in to unbuckle her seatbelt. His lips brushed against her forehead, reassuring her. Was that intentional?
“Oh!” she gasped as he slid his arms around her and lifted her from the seat. As she clung to his broad shoulders, Razor closed the passenger door with a bump of one hip. He set her on the hood of her car, stepping between her legs to tether her securely in place. She didn’t question his dominance. It quieted the voice inside that told her he couldn’t be real.
“I refuse to be offended that you think so little of me to imagine I’d pursue you without considering the future. As a doctor, Little girl, I’m aware of the worst-case scenario. I also know they are making great progress in research and creating new medicines. How about if you take me for what I’d like to be for you? A Daddy who doesn’t run from anything.”
“You’re kind of a badass,” she whispered, smiling at him.
“Exactly. A hairy badass.” Razor leaned forward to kiss her thoroughly. She clung to him as sensual feelings she had thought might be dead inside her swirled to life. When he lifted his head, Honey couldn’t believe the precious gift he’d given her.
Hope.
Chapter 3
Razor rubbed his hand over his face. Walking back down that driveway to wait for Vex last night had challenged his strong need to take care of the precious woman he’d set inside the door. He wouldn’t rush this. Honey didn’t see herself as desirable. Razor had no problem proving that to her.
Picking up his phone, he texted, I hope you slept well, Little girl.
Three dots appeared and vanished several times, and he guessed she couldn’t figure out how to answer him. Finally, she sent, Yes.
Are you working today?
From nine to five.
Her answers were short. Hmm.
Can I pick you up at home at six for dinner and a movie?
Yes, please.
He’d take that short, positive response. At least she hadn’t run away. He suspected Honey wanted to protect herself in case he canceled or messed with her. Razor wasn’t a jerk. He’d make sure she had all the information she needed to understand she could rely on him.
It’s a date, Honey.
She sent him back a thumbs-up emoji. A few seconds later, it changed to a heart. He returned the heart, feeling like a school kid with a crush. Razor shook his head, laughing at himself.
His academic training hadn’t included the use of emojis. His parents had recognized him as gifted from a young age and had challenged him immediately. Razor remembered the fun games they’d set up for him to train his memory and expand his knowledge.
Advancing quickly through elementary and middle school, Razor knew more about math and science than his teachers. Yet his mother had stressed that learning how to interact with others was as important as creating a new strain of peptides to target healing speed.
With his mother’s guidance, Razor had developed social skills. He quickly helped people figure out that having a friend around who could solve an algebra problem at a glance or recite historical events came in handy. Many teachers, however, found a super-brainiac student intimidating and were glad when he finished the textbook and advanced to another grade.
He had two degrees because they wouldn’t allow a fourteen-year-old to undertake a medical residency. Having enjoyed psychology as much as his anatomy classes, Razor got a doctoral degree in that subject before pursuing medical school. His intensive study of the brain and human nature had come in handy many times in his medical career.
After kicking off the covers, Razor forced himself out of bed. Lucien had messaged that he wanted to see Razor before the morning crew rolled in to work in the warehouse. He couldn’t be late when the MC president requested to meet with him.