Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“I’m so sorry,” she says softly, reaching out and putting a hand on my shoulder. It’s just meant to be a touch commiserating a shared pain because she lost her husband. I know that logically, but when her hand touches me. I bring mine to it, hold it gently and bring it to my lips kissing it and continuing to hold it.
“Thank you,” I whisper, noticing how her cheeks blush. “I didn’t mean to tell you that. Something about you just makes things easier to say out loud—even things I’ve tried to hide from for years.”
“I understand. I’ve had fun talking with you, too.”
“I was wondering. Would you like to go for a ride with me tomorrow?”
“A ride?”
I grin at her. “Motorcycle. There are things I’d like to show you. Plus, I’ll buy you breakfast—” Her face falls, causing me to stop talking. I kind of panic—which is something I never do. “If you don’t like bikes, I can bring my truck.”
“It’s not that,” she says with a smile. “I mean, I’ve never ridden. I always wanted to. I tried to talk Carl into getting us a trike and riding cross country taking in all the places I’ve wanted to visit, but never had. He always talked like we would, but I knew he didn’t like the idea as much as me. I think he was afraid of bikes in general and for all of his wonderful qualities the man hated to travel,” she laughed.
“Then, what was the look for?”
“I have to work tomorrow. Well, at least half a day.”
“What do you do?” I probe, immediately praying it’s not a job that would keep her from moving.
“I work at the local hospital’s gift shop. We have volunteers that do a lot of the work, but I’m the main employee along with another girl named Tina. Sadly, she’s out of town, so I can’t ask her to sub in for me. I totally would if I could.”
“What time do you get off?” I ask.
“Three,” she answers, and it’s probably my imagination, but I think I see hope in her eyes.
“How about I pick you up at four. We’ll go riding and then I’ll buy you dinner.”
“I’d love to,” she says with a big smile.
“It’s a date then,” I murmur, getting lost in her eyes again. Her face deepens in color again and I know I still have hold of her hand, but I don’t really give a damn. “Cory?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to kiss you. This is your only chance to tell me not to,” I warn her.
She smiles, “Since I want you to kiss me, I don’t think I’ll try and stop you,” she gently replies, and my grin deepens as big as hers as I lower my head down and take her mouth.
She tastes like sunshine and home. It’s addicting and it fills me with a lightness that I haven’t felt in years.
Chapter 23
Pez
As we get to Daphne’s house, I’m grateful that Sabre remains outside to call the club. I’m not sure what he needs to talk to them about. I figure it’s because he knows there’s tension between me and Daphne and I need to fix it. I’m grateful. I don’t think I could handle this distance with her overnight. I need to try and fix it now. I’m just worried what will happen when she hears about my past. It’s something I can’t put off. I have to leave her tonight to take Sabre home, so I refuse to do it now. When I tell her, I need time to spend with her to try to make her understand.
It hurts that she doesn’t follow me into Cammie’s room. It’s just a sign of the distance she’s trying to put between us. Things felt so good earlier. I’m not sure how they turned on a dime, but I need to fix it. I walk over to Cammie’s bed, and maneuver so I can turn down the cover on her bed, while holding her body close. It’s not easy. It would have been nice to have Daphne’s help. I’m thankful as hell that she’s such a heavy sleeper. Once I get her settled, I put her stuffed Olaf in her arms. When I pull back, I watch as she snuggles into it, burying her head against it. She’s out cold. I have a moment of panic, afraid that she could smother herself by holding it so tightly. I bend down again, trying to remove it from her grip. For a kid, she’s got a strong grip. Cammie’s also managed to twist her body around it. There’s no way I’m going to get it out without waking her. I’ll have to get Daphne to help me. She’s trying to push me away, but I’m not going to let her. Besides, she’ll be as worried as I am about Cammie smothering herself. I look down and see Cammie’s stomach rise and fall, making me feel just a little less panicked. Still, I need to hurry. I leave the room, walking fast to get to Daphne. We need to get Cammie settled and then, I’m going to make her listen to me … somehow.