Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
She only invited men home if she thought they’d stick around for a while. Or forever, apparently. But in truth, there weren’t too many men who came into her life worthy of meeting her sons. There had only been one so far and she obviously got that one wrong. “Keenan’s father. That’s it. You don’t plan on knocking me up and then splitting, do you?”
When his nostrils flared, she realized that teasing might not come off as it was meant to. Especially with what happened to his wife while pregnant.
Foot meet mouth. “Nox…”
“No, I wouldn’t abandon a pregnant woman,” he said on a long breath.
“I was teasing.”
“Yeah.”
She rolled on top of him and studied his face while combing her nails through his short hair. The spark that occasionally appeared in his eyes had been extinguished.
She needed to prevent him from tumbling back into that dark hole. “How about it? Dinner with me and my boys?”
“Not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I guess we’ll find out if it is or isn’t afterward. So, tomorrow night, then?” Might as well not put it off.
His hazel eyes narrowed on her. “Just dinner and a movie?”
“I can throw in some popcorn.” She grinned. “Let’s see how it goes first and maybe if it goes well, we can do it again. And eventually, do this again.”
“I don’t mind paying for a motel, Liyah.”
“I’m well aware. But my boys are plenty old enough to understand that their mother is allowed to date.”
“I wouldn’t call this dating.”
“I’d rather tell them we’re dating than boinking.”
When it took forever for him to answer, she thought he was going to turn down her offer. She was floored when he accepted.
“Okay, I’ll come over for dinner. But if things aren’t going well, don’t hesitate to tell me. I won’t be offended if I need to leave. It’s your boys’ home, they have every right to feel comfortable in it.”
“Well, actually… It’s my home and I make it comfortable for them. The day they start paying the mortgage and the high water and electric bills—because they waste both—I’ll consider their opinions on who I bring home.”
“Damn,” he whispered.
She grabbed his chin and dropped her head until they were practically nose-to-nose. “Listen, they don’t want for anything. They have a lot more than I ever did at their age. They can’t appreciate what they have because they’ve never gone without. And it’s because I bust my ass for those things. For them. They are my world, but I wish they understood just how well they have it.”
“They don’t realize how lucky they are since most people are one missed paycheck away from being homeless.”
“While that’s true, it isn’t due to luck, it’s my hard work. I invested years of my life building my business and dealing with the bad that comes along with the good. Even with all of that, it’s been rewarding, as has been raising two young men. Despite them being slobs and not appreciating everything they have.”
“You’re a good mother.”
“I’ll hold off on accepting that rating. How good of a job I did will be decided once they’re grown and it’s determined whether they’re an asset or a menace to society.”
“Most parents nowadays think their little Johnny can do no wrong, even when it’s obvious they have.”
“I’m not most parents.”
“That, you are not. I’m sure raising two young men by yourself isn’t easy. I hope one day they look back and appreciate everything you’ve done for them.”
“Enough talk about my boys while I’m naked in bed with you.”
He chuckled. “Agreed.”
He grabbed a handful of her hair, pulled her head back and nibbled from the base of her neck to under her chin.
“Mmm. Less talk and more of that,” she encouraged.
“Agreed,” he repeated in a murmur against her skin.
He not only agreed, he followed through, leaving her well satisfied for the second time that evening.
As soon as her mind cleared and her breathing returned to normal, she began to plan tomorrow night’s dinner.
“Grumpa thinks you’re a cop,” Keenan announced around a mouthful of shrimp quesadillas. A stray string of cheese clung precariously to his bottom lip.
Liyah shook her head. “Napkin!”
Kee’s face twisted in annoyance, but he scrubbed a napkin over his mouth, anyway.
Nox responded, “Your grandfather’s pretty smart.”
Keenan’s deep brown eyes went wide as did his now-clean mouth. “He was right? Oooooh.” He turned to Liyah. “He’s gonna be sooooo mad at you, Mom.”
“He’ll get over it,” Liyah informed her youngest, hoping that was true. And if it wasn’t, Magnum would simply have to live being butt hurt. Her father did not have a say in who she dated. Or “boinked,” for that matter. Even if he thought he did.
Even so, her father getting over the fact she was “dating” a cop would only matter if said cop stuck. And right now, it was a bit too early for that, since Nox was still on the bumpy path to healing.