“I don’t mean it like that,” I say, realizing that if I tell her one thing, I’ll have to tell her about her dad contacting me too.

And that’s not something I wanna lay on her right at this minute.

“Hey? It’s still our special day. Our special night,” I remind her, happy when that gets a smile and a hug from her.

“What do you feel like doing?” I ask, holding her close as I stroke her hair. “We can do anything. Go anywhere.”

Trying to sound as if we have the whole world at our feet.

Because we do.

“It’s Cherry…” Jacinta groans, playfully batting at my chest.

Something I haven’t told her yet either, but it drives me wild when she play-fights like that.

I’d like to see her tiny hands do more than just bat at my chest too…

The memory of her hands working me, soon have me stiff and at attention again, and I have a pretty simple suggestion for the rest of the night, which I whisper into her ear.

She shivers, her body pressing against mine. And it’s broadcasting rest and relaxation.

Not another ten rounds in the ring with Mister big stuff.

“Okay, okay,” I chuckle, kissing her head in surrender. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. You are the most amazing girl in the world, you know that,” I tell her.

Figuring maybe a hot bath, some pizza, and an old movie might be more Jacinta’s thing.

She readily agrees to this, with one condition.

“That we can have ice cream too,” she says, wincing as if I could even think of refusing her every desire.

“Name the flavors,” I pipe back without a thought, and in moments I’m on the phone trying to arrange the basics when it’s clear our hotel manager is still a no show.

“I guess he took the deal alright,” I mutter to myself, grinning out of habit but then frowning.

I don’t feel like driving around town trying to find everything, and there’s no fucking way I wanna call the diner for a delivery.

Rick can do it. It’s what he gets paid for.

While Jacinta busily hums to herself, straightening the bed and then running a bath, I shoot Rick his next assignment by text.

Dinner and ice cream by the gallon in at least three flavors delivered a.s.a.p. and left by the door.

P.S Do not disturb!

However he does it, I don’t care. And before our dinner arrives I take over bath duty, ordering Jacinta to get comfortable and relax in our suite while I get things ready for her.

“Get ready to do a ton of nothing for the rest of tonight,” I instruct her.

For the rest of our lives if she wants.

The thought makes me smile. Relaxes me as she shuffles to the nearest couch.

I’ve never felt so calm and content in my whole life.

I fill the tub, add the hotels' bath salts and after making sure the water’s just right and call for Jacinta to join me.

“I’ll wash your hair too if you want,” I croon, figuring she must be undressing as I trace my fingers through the water.

Where is she?

Hefting myself up, I step into the lounge and feel the corners of my mouth twitch.

Not disappointed when I see her curled up with the comforter, fast asleep, but a little let down I couldn’t share a bath with her, wash and dry those golden locks.

See if I couldn’t change her mind about maybe setting a record for the most climaxes on her first day as a non-virgin nautical archaeologist.

But we’ve got longer than just tonight together.

I could wake her, sure. But I figure she’s had a full day so far, and tomorrow’s only gonna be fuller.

Hearing a noise at the door, I figure it's Rick doing his duty, dropping off dinner and I commend him internally for it.

When I hear the gentle knock I just know it’s him.

My eyes dart toward Jacinta and seeing her sleeping like a log I figure I can have a quick word with Rick.

“I thought I said do not disturb?” I hiss, filling the doorway, towering over him before it registers that he’s not alone either.

“I know, I know.” He smiles. “But I figured you’d want in on this,” he says, beaming the biggest grin I’ve ever seen him sporting.

He’s got some bags in one hand, the smell of takeout hitting my nose, but he slides a thin folder from under his arm, urging me to take a look inside.

“Most everyone we’ve pitched is in so far,” he whispers, beside himself with excitement.

“I think this is a Lundstrom record! And the majority of ‘em want to rebuild under finance, which is just… awesome!” he says excitedly, raising his hand for a high five that I ignore.

My expression has his falling as he picks up on my mood.

“I am sorry about the do not disturb thing,” he murmurs. “But I thought you’d want to know. Thought you’d want to see these numbers? The projected interest payments alone…” he says, but my hand is up. Stopping him from even saying it.

Tags: Flora Ferrari Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net