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Hell, I’d been thinking about the freckle under her ass since the first moment I saw her But it was more than just lust now I liked Reese I liked the woman she was inside At first, I’d been afraid it was pity and thatsorry for her and wanting to help her

I didn’t think that anymore Reese didn’t want pity She didn’t require it She was tough Much tougher than I had given her credit for I respected her ability to roll with the punches of life and keep fighting With a body like hers, she could have used those assets to follow another path in life One where her looks paid the bills But she hadn’t done that Instead, she worked hard cleaning houses, and she was proud of her job

There was much more to Reese than I had first assuetting tome in, and she didn’t even realize it But I had to face the fact that she ht not want that It was very likely that Reese wasn’t interested inmore than friendship

Maybe that was for the best For starters, we lived several states away from each other That in itself was an issue And it wasn’t like she would up andmy ranch to Rosemary Beach was impossible I had a job and a future here

Stepping into the shower, I decided that I wouldn’t think about that now There was no point This needed to be taken slowly My fantasies about her would remain just that

Thirtyonabout her

“Hey,” I said, as I answered on the first ring

“Hey I’m earlier than usual I hope that’s OK” She sounded excited

I s for you to call anyway”

“Oh,” was her only response

“How did tonight go?” I asked Astor Munroe was also giving reed not tohi to ith him if she kneanted her

“Great I read hiiven me last week It wasn’t a picture book It was , but I read it without panicking or getting a rong I also took a spelling test The first one I’ve ever passed inable to pass a spelling test sliced irl who had struggled and been ignored

“That’s a I’m so proud of you, but then, I knew you could do it Never doubted you,” I assured her “I’h to read to me”

That always o silent on me She was still scared to read to me, but dammit, I wanted her to trustshe read for Astor made me jealous of the man Which was ridiculous but true

I started to assure her that she didn’t have to if she wasn’t ready, but she spoke first

“OK Uht,” she said softly

Maybe it was selfish to let her do this when she was obviously so nervous, but I wanted this bad “I’m honored,” I admitted

A soft laugh ca, andisn’t as bad as that, so I can do this”

Only this worin like a fool over the daly