Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Cesar chuckles, then laughs so hard some of the coffee spills down his hand. But instead of getting frustrated over burning his fingers, he knocks the mug against mine, as if we were toasting. “To the man who made it happen. I’ll rim your tight hole whenever you want me to, so you always remember I appreciate what you’ve done.”
I’m sure I’m blushing, but I grin back. It’s so hot that he likes it. “I had to do a lot of things myself from a young age, you know? So maybe that’s why I figured in the end that if the court won’t convict him, I just have to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Honestly? I didn’t actually think I’d do it till the last second. Still can’t believe it.”
“That’s why you prepared all this food for just one meal? To celebrate that it happened?” Cesar asks and gestures at the full table, eating with more vigor.
A deep sense of satisfaction fills my chest. “Maybe? Unconsciously? My mom always did that. Not just celebrate with food, but she’d make it special. Even if it was just pizza and cookies, she’d take it all out of boxes, put it on nice plates, maybe light some candles, put on music.” I clear my throat, hoping it’s not all too sad for him, but I want him to know me. “When she died I tried to continue with that for me and my dad. He wasn’t doing so well even before… you know. Her death really hit him hard, and he battled depression, so even as a kid, I tried to do what I could to brighten his day.”
Cesar watches me in silence, then places his hand on my forearm. “Thank you for wanting to brighten mine. I don’t often have company.”
“How so? I imagine a guy like you would always have someone vying for his attention.” A compliment, but I also do want to know so much more about who this amazing person sitting across from me is. If he’s ex-special forces then what does he do now? Was bodyguarding for Sullivan his last job? He did say he was let go after he lost his eye.
Cesar shrugs and leans over his plate to shovel tomatoes into his mouth. The glow of the lamp above adds warmth to his skin tone, until it’s almost honey-like, and I kind of wish to taste it.
“Maybe. I try not to overthink it.”
Okay, so I’m getting that he can be a bit closed off. Makes sense for someone who was a soldier. “If that’s what works for you. I, on the other hand, overthink everything.” I laugh, but it’s actually kind of a problem. “Like whether you like my new clothes, or if you’d be mad I grabbed them myself. If you like the food I prepared. Where we will go and how I will live there as a wanted man. Can police dogs sniff out my scent over snow? Should I keep my gun or throw it away? Was it okay to use the old bleach over the tiles in the bathroom, or should I have used something more environmentally friendly? Do I talk too much?”
“I like your voice,” Cesar says, sipping his coffee almost as if he were trying to hide behind the mug. “I also like your new clothes, so I’m not mad, even though I prefer you naked. The food is delicious, but we need chicken for protein. You don’t need to worry about the future, because I will take care of you and make sure you’re never caught. The Festive Fugitive will forever remain a mystery. I’m not sure if police dogs can ‘smell over snow’, but don’t worry about it. They lost our scent when we started using cars. Keep your gun. Bleach is fine. You don’t talk too much. You are nice, and I like your company.”
My heart beats faster, and this time not just because I’m horny. I can’t believe he’s not only listened to my babbling, but also remembered every single thing. “That’s so reassuring. My mind can be such a mess. How about your family though? Sorry for asking straight up, but if we’re going off-grid…”
“There isn’t anything to talk about, really,” Cesar says curtly, and I find myself sinking down the well of anxiety again, because who says stuff like that to someone’s face unless they want to dismiss them or point out that a line was crossed?
I shouldn’t feel this hurt when he’s just reassured me. Not everyone has to share as much, but yeah, I am a little hurt, because last night he told me that I’m his. How no other man will exist for me, yet now I’m getting shut out.
Then again, maybe his whole family died in a car crash, which then prompted him to join the military? I could see him being not ready to talk about that, and it’s no fault of mine.