treadmill, I slowly increase the speed to a steady pace. My mind is nowhere and everywhere at the same time. I revealed my vulnerable side to Sly when I showed him Ava’s room, and he didn’t run. Instead, he held me for a few moments. He grasps my pain and takes it away. He feels what I feel, and I feel what he feels. The connection we share is euphoric. And our bodies fit together like a puzzle piece, meant for only each other. I only have one more day with him before I go back home and get ready for work. Hopefully, those days pass by quickly.
Adrenaline coursing through my veins, I feel like I’ve released my feelings and can now relax. After my workout, I stop just outside Sly’s office and peek inside. Glasses adorn his face and he works intently, so I decide not to disturb him. It’s really late, and I should get some sleep.
In the bedroom, I see the skirt has made its way into the hamper as I strip off my workout clothes. I pull on a satin, baby-pink gown and slide into bed. Moments later, I feel Sly’s arm wrapping around my waist as he snuggles against me.
Chapter Ten
RAINE
The morning sun breaks through the curtains, and I stretch out my body and feel Sly next to me, still sleeping. Propping my head up on one hand, I lightly brush my fingertips over his naked skin and he stirs awake.
His gorgeous, caramel eyes greet mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning, Mr. Wilkes,” I tease.
He leans over me. “Mmm, I like when you call me that, especially while we’re in bed.”
“Do you now?”
He shakes his head and bends down to kiss me. “I want to take you somewhere today.”
“Okay,” I bravely say without questioning him.
“Well, first, I need to take George outside and feed him, then I’m taking you out for breakfast.” Sly gets out of bed and pulls on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt that hugs his muscled torso. I do the same, sliding on a pair of skinny jeans and a tee shirt. I let my hair hang loose, then put my feet in a pair of flats for comfort.
“I know a great little pastry shop,” he says as we enter his car.
Inside the car, he rests his hand on my thigh while he drives with the other. Right now my world is serene and almost perfect. The season is changing as I watch the blur of colors out the window. We drive a little ways and then Sly pulls up to a cute, little bakery. The outside reads Sweet Treats by Fannie Wilkes.
Wait, what? Wilkes? I give Sly a worried look, and he just smiles and gives my hand a squeeze. I’m not dressed properly to meet family, especially his family.
“Oh, there’s my handsome grandson.” The little woman comes around the corner and gushes over him, and he eats it up. He looks so boyish right now, and I can’t help but smile. “Where have you been hiding this beautiful girl?” she questions, looking at me.
“Gram, this is Raine,” he introduces us.
“Such a pretty name for a pretty girl.” She hugs me, taking me by surprise.
“Thanks,” is all I can manage to say.
“Pick anything you like dear, on the house,” she insists.
“Oh no, I couldn’t,” I plead.
“Do what she says,” Sly orders. So bossy.
I look inside the case and scan the assortment of goodies. “Okay,” I point. “I’ll take one of those chocolate éclairs.”
“That’s my favorite too,” Gram says, rushing back to the other side of the counter.
She gives Sly a look and they share some secret only they know, leaving me feeling clueless. Sly orders two coffees as I carry our sweet treats to the small wrought iron table and chairs. He’s happy and in his element. I can tell his grandmother adores him, as he does her.
“Did you bring me here just for the free food?” I joke.
“Actually, I wanted you to meet my grams. She and I are close, and always have been. She’s been running this place for thirty years. She loves you, you know.”
“How do you know?” I ask, biting into the éclair.
“I
Adrenaline coursing through my veins, I feel like I’ve released my feelings and can now relax. After my workout, I stop just outside Sly’s office and peek inside. Glasses adorn his face and he works intently, so I decide not to disturb him. It’s really late, and I should get some sleep.
In the bedroom, I see the skirt has made its way into the hamper as I strip off my workout clothes. I pull on a satin, baby-pink gown and slide into bed. Moments later, I feel Sly’s arm wrapping around my waist as he snuggles against me.
Chapter Ten
RAINE
The morning sun breaks through the curtains, and I stretch out my body and feel Sly next to me, still sleeping. Propping my head up on one hand, I lightly brush my fingertips over his naked skin and he stirs awake.
His gorgeous, caramel eyes greet mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning, Mr. Wilkes,” I tease.
He leans over me. “Mmm, I like when you call me that, especially while we’re in bed.”
“Do you now?”
He shakes his head and bends down to kiss me. “I want to take you somewhere today.”
“Okay,” I bravely say without questioning him.
“Well, first, I need to take George outside and feed him, then I’m taking you out for breakfast.” Sly gets out of bed and pulls on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt that hugs his muscled torso. I do the same, sliding on a pair of skinny jeans and a tee shirt. I let my hair hang loose, then put my feet in a pair of flats for comfort.
“I know a great little pastry shop,” he says as we enter his car.
Inside the car, he rests his hand on my thigh while he drives with the other. Right now my world is serene and almost perfect. The season is changing as I watch the blur of colors out the window. We drive a little ways and then Sly pulls up to a cute, little bakery. The outside reads Sweet Treats by Fannie Wilkes.
Wait, what? Wilkes? I give Sly a worried look, and he just smiles and gives my hand a squeeze. I’m not dressed properly to meet family, especially his family.
“Oh, there’s my handsome grandson.” The little woman comes around the corner and gushes over him, and he eats it up. He looks so boyish right now, and I can’t help but smile. “Where have you been hiding this beautiful girl?” she questions, looking at me.
“Gram, this is Raine,” he introduces us.
“Such a pretty name for a pretty girl.” She hugs me, taking me by surprise.
“Thanks,” is all I can manage to say.
“Pick anything you like dear, on the house,” she insists.
“Oh no, I couldn’t,” I plead.
“Do what she says,” Sly orders. So bossy.
I look inside the case and scan the assortment of goodies. “Okay,” I point. “I’ll take one of those chocolate éclairs.”
“That’s my favorite too,” Gram says, rushing back to the other side of the counter.
She gives Sly a look and they share some secret only they know, leaving me feeling clueless. Sly orders two coffees as I carry our sweet treats to the small wrought iron table and chairs. He’s happy and in his element. I can tell his grandmother adores him, as he does her.
“Did you bring me here just for the free food?” I joke.
“Actually, I wanted you to meet my grams. She and I are close, and always have been. She’s been running this place for thirty years. She loves you, you know.”
“How do you know?” I ask, biting into the éclair.
“I
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