Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“It’s a fantastic song. It’s how I feel about life. About you.”
London looked up at me again, her heart in her eyes.
I waited, my breath catching, my hope rising.
Was she going to say it?
“Thank you,” she whispered instead.
And I tried not to be too disappointed.
London had been through so much before she came to Scotland, and I wasn’t going to rush this. I wasn’t going to demand too much of her. She’d come to me fully in her own time. I just needed to be patient.
We must have dozed for a bit because the next thing I knew, London woke me as she slipped out of bed. I automatically reached for her, wanting her back, and she laughed softly, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand before letting me go.
“I have to get ready for work.”
I groaned. “We need to talk about the job you don’t even like.”
“Let’s just take everything one step at a time.” London shrugged into her cami and shorts and then leaned over to give me a kiss.
I cupped the back of her head, deepening it until she was moaning and reluctantly pulling away.
Her plump lips were enticingly swollen. “Speaking of one step at a time,” she said a little breathlessly. “Maybe we should keep what’s happening between us between us. Kelly doesn’t need to know about this right now.”
Her words cooled my heated blood, and my dismay must have shown.
London’s eyes flared. “No, I don’t … look, I just … she’s been through so much change and trauma. I thought we could ease her into this change in our relationship. For instance, we could have Fiona come over because we’re going on a date. Steps toward her understanding things are changing between you and me?”
Despite my disappointment and concern over the suggestion, rationale kicked in.
There was merit to what London advised.
“Okay.”
“But I’m still going to sneak into your room every night.” She pressed a quick kiss to my lips before scrambling off the bed.
I grinned at her mischievous smile. “I look forward to it.”
She blew me a cheeky kiss before disappearing out of the room.
I missed her instantly.
34. Murray
London was gone by the time my alarm went off. Exhaustion hit as I pushed up out of bed to get ready for the day. Last night had been worth the exhaustion, though.
You hoped when you were attracted to someone that the sex would live up to the attraction. It didn’t always. But last night … wow.
I was grinning to myself at how fantastic sex with my wife had been when a second alarm rang out of my phone. Confused, I scrambled to pick it up and disbelief hit me when I realized what the alarm was for.
When London and I got married, there were certain details we’d provided in the forms for registration and the marriage license. One of those details, of course, was London’s date of birth. I’d immediately popped the date into my calendar so I wouldn’t forget.
And today was London’s birthday. Not just any birthday. It was her thirtieth.
She hadn’t mentioned a bloody thing.
Deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt, that perhaps even she’d forgotten it in all the chaos, I let that part go. And started shooting texts off to all our friends.
Tierney answered first.
She didn’t tell you? Do you want me to take away the birthday cupcakes I got her?
Snorting, I texted back:
No, don’t tell her I know. I want to surprise her.
By noon, the plans had all come together. Everyone had made themselves available at the last minute to join us for a birthday celebration at the house.
The only thing I needed now was a gift from me. Kelly said she’d venture onto Main Street during her school lunch break to pick something. Tierney promised to distract London and keep her out of the village until after one o’clock so she didn’t bump into either me or Kelly buying last-minute birthday stuff. Mum offered to bake a cake and bring that with her.
After I’d bought decorations, wrapping paper, thirtieth birthday balloons and banners, and a card from the gift shop, I made my way to Mrs. Gilchrist’s antiques store. The last time I’d been in the shop was for our wedding bands, but I’d spotted an engagement ring then that I thought would be perfect for London and I was optimistic it would still be there waiting for me.
Mrs. Gilchrist lit up as I entered her establishment. “Word is traveling you’re planning a wee birthday surprise for your wife. Is that why you’re in here?”
Bloody hell. “Please tell me no one has mentioned it to London.”
“Och, we know how to keep a secret.”
“Do you?”
Mrs. Gilchrist gave a bark of laughter at my incredulous tone. “At this kind of thing, we do, Murray Shaw. Cheeky lad. Now, what can I get you?”