AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ZACH
Istand outside the bungalow, leaning on the hood of my Porsche, waiting for Hope. As promised, I stayed away from the penthouse and spent most of my day holed up at the office. I wanted to give her space and time to think so that she doesn’t wake up tomorrow and regret her decisions. Last night told me that she has enough regrets already.
I know I’m a bastard to even make this offer, but I never claimed to be a saint. Hearing her last night did something to me, but I also know myself. I know what I can offer and what I can’t. I cannot give her any false hopes about our future, about our marriage.
When she shows up today…orifshe shows up today, I’ll tell her that this is me giving her all the missed experiences.
I look once again at my watch. It’s five after eight already, where the hell is she?
Maybe she changed her mind. Yeah, that has to be it. I twist the knot of my tie around my neck. Maybe it’s for the best.
I tap my phone to call the caterers inside the house when a taxi stops near me.
The rear door opens and Hope steps out in a loose-fit, navy-blue dress. It is nothing like the sexy red from yesterday and it hides all her curves, but to me she is a fucking siren now.
Since last night, every time I think of her, I don’t remember the snippy, tired single mom but this sensual woman who turns me on like no other damn thing in this world.
My heart fills with a thrill, which I was missing for so long. I didn’t realize until just now how much I was looking forward to Hope coming here.
I wait for her to come to me. It’s part of the charm. She has to want this and she does.
Her hesitant steps bring her closer. Her low-cost heels make an off-beat sound indicating her nervous steps.
“Hi,” she says hesitantly as if not sure what she is doing here.
I place a gentle kiss on her cheek, making my intentions clear.
Her eyes widen and her cheeks turn bright scarlet as I lead her to the gate of the brownstone.
“What is this place?”
“It’s a house I own.”
“You own it?” Her steps come to a standstill just as I’m about to open the door.
“It was more like a gift to me.” I chuckle at her surprised expression.
“Somebody gifted you a bungalow?”
Hope’s brows furrow, and before she can think I’m some sort of boy toy, I explain, “Beast.”
“Wow.”
We finally enter the living room where on a glass table under the sparkling chandelier sits an ice bucket. A satisfied grin pulls on my lips when I see that the caterers have followed my instructions to the letter. There are two champagne flutes along with a bottle of sparkling wine waiting for us.
Hope’s steps falter a bit, but I gently place a hand on her lower back and nudge her forward. Our server fills the flutes and leaves.
I glance at Hope as she takes in everything. I’m not sure if she’s curious or nervous or shy or possibly a mix of all those emotions.
But before we can embark on this path, which some might say is insane, we need to be on the same page and for any discussion she needs to relax. Her hunched-up shoulders and continuous fidgeting tell me she is anything but calm. I take a seat and ask her to do the same.
“We have to be clear about this.” I motion between us.
She nods, looking at me with those wide, innocent eyes that often tell me what she isn’t saying in words.
“I like you, Hopper. The day we married, I promised to give you all the things that make you happy and this is my attempt to do that. I don’t want you to miss anything in life. I will give you the experience of all those firsts that people crave. First kiss, first date, first boyfriend, and whatever firsts you ask.”
My heart hangs in my chest as a blush spreads from her face down to her neck and hides under the V-neck of her dress.
