Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“Babe, are you almost ready? I’ve got something I want to show you really quick before we go.”
She nods and I gesture for her to come to me. When she gets to my side, I push a button that retracts the blinds and exposes the back yard. Her body goes still against mine and I hear her gasp. My house is nice, but I bought it for the backyard and view. An extended patio leads to a pool with a cascading rock waterfall. There’s a separate pool house and summer kitchen to the side with a wrap-around bar. The landscaping is made up of all different palm trees and tropical plants. Beyond the patio is a grassy area that leads to a deep-water dock on the Intercoastal Waterway complete with a boatlift. The houses in this neighborhood are spaced generously so the entire area is completely private.
“This is breathtaking,” she says softly.
“Is it what you envisioned?”
“It couldn’t be more perfect if I did it myself. How did you remember?”
Lacing our fingers together, I lead her to the bar where there’s a bottle of wine chilling. Settling her on a stool, I pour us a glass and hand one to her. “I told you I remember everything. Did I know we would reconnect, no, but when I saw this backyard paradise, I knew I had to have this place.”
“I absolutely love it.”
“I’m glad. It’s important you feel comfortable here.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but I cut her off by slamming my lips to hers. She tastes like strawberries and white wine and it makes me want to savor every inch of her. I try to be gentle, but when she moans I deepen the kiss. Our tongues dance together as I fist the back of her neck holding her to me. I pull back lightly and kiss a path from her chin to her earlobe. She’s slightly panting which turns me on even more.
“Baby, I won’t push. But go with me on this okay? I need to know you will feel comfortable in my place.” I lay my forehead against hers to stare into her eyes.
“Is this all part of your plan?” She grins.
“Operation Matthews in effect. You’re still on a need to know basis.”
“Well this mission is accomplished. I love it.”
Stepping back, I sip my wine while staring at her. This is a good moment between us and I don’t want to ruin it but I need to warn her about tonight. I pluck her off the stool and twist so I am sitting and she is between my knees. I squeeze her hips and she smiles at me exposing the dimples I love so much.
“Ari, I need to tell you something about tonight. There are going to be some people there that are going to intentionally make you feel uncomfortable. I’ve never had a date to these parties but that doesn’t mean I haven’t left with someone. None of these women mean anything to me and from what I can tell, the wives and girlfriends don’t like them being there.”
Her face pales, and the smile is gone immediately. I can feel her shields going up with the stiffness in her body.
“This is going to be very uncomfortable for me isn’t it? Not only am I your baby mama, but now I’m going to be around a bunch of women you’ve slept with for years. Why would you want to do that to me? You know how insecure I am already and this rekindling of ‘us’ is so fresh.”
“Stop.” My voice is a bit harsher than I meant. “Don’t ever degrade yourself like that again. That’s twice today. First today in the meeting calling yourself nothing special and now referring as being a baby mama. To me, you are one of the three most special women in the world. And since it’s weird to put you in the category with my mom and sister, I’ll say you are precious to me. As for why I want you with me, it’s because of how I feel about you. Some of the women you’ll meet tonight will be wonderful and I need you to know whom you can trust. As for the others, they are what we call ‘player pussy’. They are invited by guys who want to get laid, and know they are an easy bet. Some of them even come alone looking to hook up. Think of them like musician groupies.”
“That’s really disgusting.”
“You have no idea. But that’s why I needed to show you this tonight.” I wave my arms around indicating the backyard. “You have never, ever, left my mind. I told you I thought of you when I was knocked out last season on the field, but that wasn’t the only time. Many of the decisions in my life had been influenced by you and our time together.”