Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
I giggle because the truth is that I love to eat, and take a bite of the eggs. My lashes close as a look of bliss comes over my face.
“Oh mmmm, this is so good,” I moan with delight. “The eggs are so soft and fluffy, it’s unbelievable. Is this special ketchup too?”
Liam grins while nodding.
“Yeah, I add buttermilk to the eggs to give them that light as air texture, and the ketchup is from a special’s farmer’s market that they hold around these parts. You get the best shit around here,” he adds. “From purple Japanese sweet potatoes to free-range eggs with blue shells.”
I stare at him.
“Oh wow, what weird colors. But do they taste different?”
Liam thinks for a moment.
“Well, the purple sweet potatoes are about the same, but the eggs have a really intense, golden yolk that adds a punch of flavor. We’re not eating them now, but I’ll get some for you,” he promises. “You’ll love it.”
I flush because we’re not supposed to communicate after our weekend rendezvous is over, and yet Liam’s acting like we’re going to have a long-term relationship. Well, maybe not a relationship per se, but at least something that extends beyond the next twenty-four hours. My heart judders as I flush hotly again, but then the voice in my head speaks.
You’re a paid companion, Avalon, it reminds me. You can’t have expectations beyond the here and now. Just enjoy this time for what it’s worth, but don’t get any crazy expectations into your head.
Of course, my conscience is right, and I force myself to re-set. I can’t expect anything more than hot sex and a couple of passionate kisses because I was literally gifted to this man by his friend. Hell, for all I know, he could be a sex fiend!
Liam’s definitely a sex fiend, the voice in my head says ruefully. You have firsthand knowledge of that.
Those words are true and I flush again hotly while stealing a look at the handsome mountain man beneath my lashes. He smirks at me while placing a big hand on my bare thigh.
“Feeling horny, sweetheart? If so, I’m ready to go back to bed if you are.”
I giggle helplessly.
“But I’ve only taken two bites of my eggs!”
He inclines his dark head.
“You’re right, eat more,” he says with a wink. “Because I’m going to have my way with you, and you won’t be leaving that bed for hours once we get started.”
I laugh again, loving the banter between us. But then I grow serious.
“So where are your daughters right now?” I ask. “Oh wait, you already said,” I say quickly. “With their moms. And I know this isn’t supposed to be that kind of thing, so you don’t have to answer any personal questions if you don’t want to. But what are your daughters like?”
Liam looks unperturbed, flashing me another Crest-white grin.
“No, it’s fine, I don’t mind answering. And yes, I have two daughters with my two exes,” he says easily. “Madison is nine, and Ellie is five. The girls are the light of my lives, but when they’re together, they can fight like cats and dogs. And Ellie’s fierce,” he says in a wry tone. “It doesn’t matter that she’s eight inches shorter than her sister. She’ll fly at Madison, biting, kicking, scratching, whatever. She’s hell on wheels.”
“Oh my god, the girls fight? As in physically tussling?”
Liam smiles wryly again.
“Unfortunately, yes. At that age, little girls can be just as wild as little boys, and they’re basically savages. They’re unsocialized small humans with poor impulse control. It can make for some insane brouhahas.”
I shake my head.
“Goodness,” I murmur. “It’s good that I didn’t actually come up here to babysit because it would have been total disaster. I mean, I don’t even know how to break apart something like that!”
Liam gets a grim look on his face.
“By force,” he says. “You wade in and pull them apart, and yes, I’ve taken a few blows in the process. But the good part is that small fists aren’t that powerful, so they’re more like taps than actual punches. But yeah, do you have any experience babysitting?” he asks with a smile. “Or was it all a ruse?”
“A ruse,” I admit immediately. “But I figured I could wing it. I mean, kids are kids, and it’s not like I’ve never been around children before. I’d feed them a few snacks, play games, read a story, and then put them to bed before taking up with their dad. How hard could it be?” I tease.
Liam grins wryly.
“Way harder than you think, baby girl. Way harder. But that brings me to another good point,” he says in a deep voice. “What brought you to Sweet Lies? Why are you doing what you do?”
Ah, the million dollar question. I pause to consider a moment before answering.