Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“That’ll be plenty, thank you. I’ll be right back.” I ducked into the bathroom and instantly looked away from my reflection in the mirror. Instead, I relieved myself and then used the last of the water to scrub clean. Maybe we could get to the boathouse today. An actual shower would be nice.
We’d see what Quin’s first update looked like. If everything was resolved today, chances were we could start our journey home tomorrow.
I clearly needed distance from Kayden, which I would have to be smart about. I refused to risk upsetting him. Knowing him, he’d believe he’d done something wrong if he noticed my pulling away. The mere thought sickened me.
At the same time, I could feel my self-control slipping, so something had to be done.
After toweling off, I righted my boxer briefs and applied deodorant, then walked out of the bathroom again.
Kayden was in the middle of carrying two plates to the coffee table. “Sit down, Sir. Let’s eat!”
“I’ll just go get dressed first—”
“Nuh-uh! We have blankets. C’mere. It’s cozy.”
I hesitated. Sitting there undressed when Kayden was so clearly in his Little space didn’t seem safe. Or Middle space, or what the fuck ever.
“Come onnn,” he urged. “Bacon’s getting cold, you know!”
Oh, all right. I’d bundle up and make sure we had some blankets between us.
I rounded the couch as he fetched my coffee and rambled about what he wanted to do today. He definitely wanted to play in the snow, and he wanted me to teach him how to play poker. Now that he was going to work with us, he wanted to learn so he could win money off Chris.
“Dad says Chris isn’t good at poker,” he finished.
I felt my mouth twitch as I took my seat, and I threw a blanket around my shoulders. “I’m afraid Chris is only decent in Quin’s eyes because Quin could mop the floor with the professional players in Vegas. I’m undoubtedly worse than Chris is. I can’t hide my expressions when I’m trying to study others’ poker faces.”
“Oh.” He set the coffee by my plate and sat down next to me. “I guess I can make my money off you instead. And none of that playing for quarters either,” he warned. “I’m talking dollars. Maybe even five-dollar bets if I’m feeling lucky.”
I grinned and took a sip of my coffee.
Perfect.
“First lesson is free,” I replied, picking up my utensils. It was an impressive, delicious-looking spread of eggs, bacon, buttery rolls, and presumably the last of my Brie. “You’re not supposed to tell anyone that you’ll raise your bet when you have a good hand.”
“Oh,” he repeated. “Dammit. Because then you’ll know. Duh!”
I tapped my nose.
He was definitely in his Little space.
He sat back to ponder that, and I tucked into my food. With a bit of luck on my side, he’d change the topic to something that edged him further away from being a Little with me. Perhaps discussing more work would do the trick. He already seemed so determined to become a logistics officer, and I couldn’t imagine his training would act as bait for his kinky identity to come forward. Either way, I needed a break before I broke.
I chewed around a mouthful of bacon, wondering how he got it perfect every time. For me, cooking tended to be hit or miss. I had some dishes I’d mastered over the years, but bacon, eggs, pasta, and potatoes came out with mixed results. I supposed I wasn’t paying attention all the time. In front of the stove, it was easy to drift off in my thoughts.
“Mister Wadey Doc?”
I snorted softly. That one was new. “Yes?”
He grinned, half timid for some reason, and scooted closer. “I gotta whisper something in your ear.”
The fuck you do, boy.
I narrowed my eyes at him and wiped my fingers on a paper towel. “No brat shenanigans, I hope.”
His eyes widened with innocence. “No, I swear!” Then he scrambled onto his knees and closed the distance, and he cupped his hand around his mouth and leaned in. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m super happy,” he whispered. “This has been the best kidnapping in the universe.”
I swallowed hard, unable to suppress the shiver that rolled down my spine, and I fucking melted. Or perhaps my brain short-circuited. He poked his face out and smiled at me, and he was so close, and so goddamn adorable, so appealing, so free of filters and uncertainties, that the last ounce of my self-control flew out the window. Unbridled heat and affection tore through me as I stared into the sun that was Kayden Winters. His pale blue eyes had always affected me in one way or another, and now, brimming with joy, he made me feel so complete.
Before I even knew what I was doing, I had a hand on his cheek, and I was leaning in to kiss him. I couldn’t fucking stop myself. A low, rushing sound invaded my ears, though not loudly enough for me to miss how he sucked in a quick breath. I’d shocked him. I’d shocked us both—and now I was beyond screwed. What the fuck was I thinking? He was at his most vulnerable, and I took advantage?