Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“He’s handsome,” Lori said directly to me, again nodding with joy on her face. “He was shaved when we met him, but I recognized him.”
“Let him finish,” I said. “I think we’re goin’ to his family’s place tonight too.
“Then you have to come back tomorrow night and have dinner with us,” my mom said. She was sweet and wanted to show me I was okay. I got it, and without question, I needed her love, but they need to know everything.
“Mom…” I lifted my hand to silence her. “Go on, Slade.”
“Nico, my head of security will contact you tomorrow. My popularity will cause this to blow up on us. Caving to blackmail isn’t something I want to do, but it’s on the table if it helps protect us all. Hopefully, whoever took these pictures, doesn’t understand the truth about Mace to me. Right now, it’s easy to write it off as preparation for my role with Grainger Studios.”
That was a new theory I hadn’t heard before and could very well be true.
“Right,” my father agreed, turning serious. “Our family heritage is always the talk around here. Every ancestor I have was up to some sort of disruption to the status quo. I suspect Mace will be viewed as followin’ in the rebel line of his ancestors. I don’t see him takin’ a big hit around here.”
Again, something I hadn’t considered, but a very valid point.
“I wish that were all that happened,” Slade said. “I’ll lose a lot of respect from my viewership. My demographic’s middle America. They won’t handle this well.” Slade shook his head and blew out a breath. “But I’m ready to slow down. I’ve worked too much over the last twelve years. Mace’s given me hope for a more normal life…” He squeezed my hand tighter. Based on the self-abuse Slade pummeled himself with, I doubted the truth of his declaration.
“Ahh,” Lori said and again slapped at Max’s legs. “Why don’t you say those things about me.”
Max only shrugged. “I don’t think of ’em like that. And you’re hard to deal with.”
It was said good-heartedly, and we laughed at his simply stated truth.
“Let’s celebrate tonight and worry about the rest tomorrow. We have pizza. Have a slice before you go. The kids are in the backyard,” my dad said, pushing to his feet again from the recliner he’d dubbed as his own.
“I haven’t seen my niece much in person,” I said in such a way that I was asking for the extra time here. We wouldn’t stay long. We needed to get on the road, but a few minutes seemed doable.
“We can stay as long as you want,” Slade answered, again rising to his feet. “We have an hour or so drive ahead of us, but I haven’t eaten today. I flew straight here this morning.” His belly gave a solid growl as Lori got to her feet.
“She’s asleep in the guest room, but she needs to wake up,” Lori said, getting to her feet.
“That’s her room, Lori. Not a guest room. She’s not a guest,” my mom corrected, guiding Slade into the kitchen.
Lori rolled her eyes at me about our mom. She and I weren’t arguing, which felt really surreal. She pivoted, and I followed, quietly in search of my girl as Lori filled me in with all her latest accomplishments. She sounded much sweeter than those rough and tumble young boys playing outside.
Chapter 28
Slade
The wait was hell. From the perspective, where worry and concern lived wild and free, whoever was responsible for this breach had really fucked with my head. On the other hand, the man spread across my legs was now officially my guy.
I sat against the headboard, scrolling through my phone, not wanting to miss of minute of this brand-new Mace. Last night at his family’s house then on to Linda’s home changed my handsome boyfriend in ways I didn’t know were possible. He became less stern or resistant or both for that matter. The bursts of laughter and joy were also new. We spent the remainder of last night and these morning hours just having a good time together. It might have been the best day of my life.
I lowered my phone and stared at the drape-covered window. I wouldn’t be here right now if there wasn’t a blackmail attempt. The moment of appreciation stunned me. Thankfully, before I went down that mental rabbit hole, my phone’s screen change drew my attention that direction. Tommy’s name appeared. Based on the text, he was apparently in our house and making fun of me for sleeping in so long.
Why was he here? I racked my brain, trying my best to remember if I knew he was coming.
And did I want to leave this bed to find out?
Fuck. It took an insane amount of time to untangle from my sleeping guy. Last night hadn’t involved lovemaking, only the soul connecting chemistry we shared emotionally.