Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
As for me, I stayed up, listening to the unfamiliar sounds of the house as I finally let my own worries surface.
I’d kept them tamped down, wanting to be a calm voice of reason and a steady shoulder for Runa.
But I couldn’t help but wonder what it meant now that she was a wealthy woman. One who wouldn’t need to rely on me for anything. One who could buy Denali anything she wanted. Who could hire babysitters and nannies. One who wouldn’t have any use for me anymore.
I wanted to believe I had a place in their lives, in Runa’s future. But I didn’t know what that kind of money would do.
Would she want Denali to grow up on the ranch like she had? What would my visitation look like with my daughter then? My life was in Florida. Those men and women in and around the club—that was my family too.
Eventually, I had to force the thoughts and worries away, ignore the black hole in my chest, and let sleep claim me.
I wasn’t sure how long I got to sleep, but it wasn’t nearly enough before, out of nowhere, I felt the whole bed shaking.
For a split second before I could fully wake up, I wondered if Wyoming had earthquakes.
But as soon as my eyes opened, I realized what was making the world—no, bed—shake.
Denali.
In her princess-printed pajama set, her hair all crazy from sleep.
Jumping up and down on the bed.
“You are way too energetic for this hour,” Runa grumbled, folding up to grab our daughter, then pulling her down between the two of us. “How’d you sleep?”
“Good.”
“Have you been up for a while?”
“No.”
“Once I’m awake, I’m gonna make pancakes for breakfast.”
That was the wrong thing to say because Denali apparently woke up with an appetite and wouldn’t stop talking about pancakes until a tired Runa climbed out of bed and stumbled downstairs to get the food started.
I took a few minutes to text Huck, letting him know that we would be staying for a few days to sort things out.
Then I made my way downstairs to find Denali at the giant kitchen counter, eating freeze-dried strawberries right out of the giant can as Runa stood at the stove pouring batter into a hot pan.
There was a sharp feeling in my chest, so strong it made my step falter, made me lift my hand and rub at my chest.
Because I liked the image more than I would admit. I could picture thousands of ones just like it.
“Daddy, do you want strawberries?” she asked, reaching into the can and producing a pink-powder-coated hand and a few pieces of sliced, dried strawberries.
I took one to humor her before walking up behind Runa, swiping her hair to the side, and pressing a kiss to the side of her neck.
“Looks pretty good for thirty-year-old pancake mix.”
She chuckled at that as she let herself lean into me for a moment.
“I think, if we are staying the full day, a trip to town to get a couple of fresh foods might be necessary. And coffee.”
“Denali and I could take a trip, if you want. Give you some time to yourself to explore. You didn’t get a chance to check out your old outdoor haunts.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Nope. But I take no responsibility if Denali throws a bunch of snacks into the cart.”
“So long as you also throw some fruits and veggies in.”
“And sauces,” I said.
“Can never forget those,” she agreed.
“What do you say, princess? You wanna head into town with me after breakfast to pick up some groceries?”
“Do they have little carts?” she asked, hopeful.
“Last time I was there, yes,” Runa answered. “But I can’t make any promises, so don’t get your hopes up too high, okay?”
She slid a plate in front of Denali, who put way too much maple syrup on them. Add that to the grocery list.
“Can I bring a toy?” Denali asked.
“Sure,” I agreed.
“But no more than three,” Runa said. Then to me, in a lower voice, “Trust me, you need to set limits.”
While I cleaned up after breakfast, Runa took Denali upstairs to shower when she got herself an unreasonable amount of sticky from her syrup.
“What are you doing?” Runa asked when I stepped into the shower with her after the kitchen was spotless again.
“Saving water.”
“Denny—”
“Is down in the library with her books again,” I said, reaching for her hips and pulling her back against my chest.
Her round ass pressed against my hard cock, making both of us groan.
My hands moved over her then—teasing over her breasts, over her stomach, between her legs.
She sparked at the touch. She always did.
It wasn’t long until her hips were riding my hand, until her whimpers were filling the shower niche, and she was reaching back to stroke my cock.
“Fuck me,” she demanded.
And I couldn’t turn down that invitation, could I?