Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Something smells good,” Baker says, walking into the kitchen from the garage.
“Dinner, but it’s going to be a while before it’s ready. Are you hungry now?”
“Not for food,” he says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. He kisses my neck, and I tilt my head, giving him access. “Where’s Cam?”
“He’s napping. He’s been down for about half an hour,” I reply, turning to face him. “Welcome home.”
“You make this place feel like home. Have I ever told you that?”
“You might have hinted at that a time or two.”
“Come on. I need my fix before I have to share you with Cam.” He bends, lifts me over his shoulder, and carries me into the living room, where he tosses me onto the couch. Immediately, he falls to his knees, leaning between my spread thighs.
“How was practice?” I ask, running my fingers through his hair.
“Good. We’re ready for the game this week. Have I ever told you how much I love these leggings you’ve been wearing lately?”
“Well, it’s getting colder, and they’re comfortable for when I chase after Camden all day. Besides, you know what these gray sweats do to me.” I waggle my eyebrows.
He chuckles. “Babe, I’m a fan,” he assures me. “In fact, they’re going to look even better on the bedroom floor later tonight.”
“Tonight? We have at least another forty minutes or so before Cam wakes up.”
He grins. “I like the way you think,” he says, just as his phone rings. Groaning, he keeps one hand on my thigh while digging his phone out of the pocket of his sweats. “Hello?” He listens and then says, “Now? Yeah, okay. I’ll see you soon.” He ends the call, tossing his phone beside us on the couch, and groans.
“Everything okay?”
“My parents are almost here. They’re back from their cruise around the world and flew into Nashville to see Cam and me before flying back to Philly tomorrow.”
“Oh, well, I’ll go home and can come back tomorrow before you leave.”
“What? Why in the hell would you leave? You live here.”
“I mean, I stay here, but technically, I still live above my parents’ garage.”
“Yeah, well, we’re going to fix that. This is your home, Sloane. You’re a part of my life, a huge part of my life. I want you to meet them.”
I can hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes, he really does want me here. “What will we tell them?”
“That you’re my girlfriend. You’ve met them before.”
“But I work for you.”
Baker rolls his eyes. “And you love my kid. He’s thriving in your care, Sloane. My parents want to see me happy. That’s you. My happiness, my son’s happiness, is wrapped up in you. This is where you belong.”
“Okay.” I smile. “I’m sorry. I just have these moments that I think this is too good to be true.”
“We’re real life, baby. This isn’t a fairy tale, although I admit it feels like one. All these years you were right under my nose,” he says, leaning in to kiss the tip of my nose, just as Camden cries out over the baby monitor.
“I’ll go get him. There’s plenty of dinner for all of us. You stay down here to greet your parents.”
He nods and stands before helping me to my feet. His hand slides behind my neck, and he guides me into a kiss. “Thank you.”
“I have a feeling I’ll never be able to say no to you.” I laugh.
“Funny, I’ve thought that same thing about you. Just another reason we’re meant to be.” He kisses me once more as the front door opens.
I push at his chest and take off running upstairs. I’m a hot mess, but I’m not going to bother changing. I’m me, and that’s how Baker wants me, so that’s what his parents are going to get. Okay, fine, I’m going to try to tame the crazy knot on my head a little, but what you see is what you get.
I hope what they see is a woman who loves their son and grandson with all her heart.
“Swoan,” Camden whimpers as I step into his room.
“Hey, buddy. What’s wrong?” I ask, bending to lift him into my arms. He doesn’t answer, but he snuggles into my chest. And damn, every single time he does that, he steals another piece of my heart. “Guess what?” He doesn’t answer, so I keep going. “Daddy’s home from practice.”
“Daddy home.”
“That’s right. And you know what else? Grandma and Grandpa are here to see you. That’s exciting, right?” I ask him, as I lay him on the changing table to change his diaper.
“Citing,” he repeats, making me smile.
“That’s right. They’ve been on a very long vacation, and they’re so excited to see you,” I tell him.
“See Cam.”
“They love you very much,” I tell him.
“Cam love.”