Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Chloe, remember Mommy’s friend, Marcus?” she asked in a soft voice that was mesmerizing.
Chloe sat up with a surprised look on her face.
“You’re back,” she stated like it was the most shocking thing ever.
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I slowly approached her bedside, my black sneakers lightly thudding against the beige carpeting in her room.
“It’s nice to see you again, Chloe. I’m glad you’re feeling better,” I told her before stopping at her bedside and peering down at her.
Chloe was one of those fearless, endlessly curious kids, and they were definitely the coolest.
“Why are you here?” she asked as she tilted her head.
A nervous look briefly crossed Madison’s face as she rubbed Chloe’s back.
“Honey, it’s time for you to go back to bed. It’s late,” she said.
“I can’t sleep.” Chloe pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“That’s actually why I’m here,” I told Chloe before grabbing the wooden chair at her cluttered desk and dragging it next to her bed. I took a seat and relaxed back in it. “I’m here to tell you a bedtime story.”
Madison’s eyes widened in surprise as Chloe gasped excitedly and snuggled her way under her sheets. She peered up at me with eager eyes, waiting for me to start.
I looked over at Madison and gave her a sure smile.
“I’ll put her to bed. Everything is okay,” I said.
Pure awe filled Madison’s face as she nodded. She lingered for a few seconds, gazing at me like she wanted to say something. Or kiss me. Maybe both. Instead, she got to her feet and brushed her hand along my shoulder before moving to stand in the doorway.
While I told Chloe a story that my mom used to tell me about a magical frog finding his way back home, I could feel Madison’s eyes on me the entire time. Part of it was probably her being protective over her child. At the end of the day, we still only just met, but I could feel the appreciation coming off her in waves.
It felt good doing this for her. For Chloe. If I hadn’t messed up and landed myself in prison, I could’ve already been telling bedtime stories to kids of my own, but at least I had this moment to enjoy now. Granted, I only got halfway through the story before Chloe dozed off, prompting me to chuckle under my breath and get to my feet. Carefully, I brushed away a loose strand of hair that was on Chloe’s forehead before joining Madison out in the hallway.
“Don’t worry. Lily finds her way back to her family in the end,” I told Madison as she led me to the kitchen.
Madison laughed softly as she fixed me a glass of water, her fingers brushing mine as she handed it to me.
“Thank you for doing that. It means a lot,” she said sincerely, leaning her hip against the counter as she faced me.
I shook my head, not wanting her to thank me or worry about bothering me. I could tell she was a good, hard-working person, and I believed those people deserved a break the most, especially during the hard times.
“It was nice,” I told her before sipping on my water and then setting the glass down on the kitchen counter.
A knowing smile crossed her lips as she shifted a little closer to me.
“I think Chloe really likes you,” she stated. “You know, you’d be a really good dad.”
Honestly, that was probably one of the best compliments I could ever receive. All I wanted was to be a good influence or a source of encouragement, whether that was for my friends, people in the prison system that needed some motivation, or kids. I wanted to be better than my past self.
“That’s what I strive to be,” I replied as I moved my hand on the kitchen counter just a few centimeters away from hers.
Madison glanced at my hand for a second before looking away.
“I really appreciate all you’ve done for me tonight. I don’t know how to even begin to thank you properly,” she said as her fingertips slowly brushed over mine.
I turned my hand over to take hers, hearing her breathing stop for a second. She felt so warm and soft to the touch, and it took everything in me not to let my hand trail farther up her body. It would be so easy to pull her closer, to claim her like that dark, possessive side of my mind wanted to. But I let her go. Protecting her and Chloe came first, and I would have been an asshole to push for more when she had asked for my help.
“You should try to get some sleep. I’m going to check in with Gus,” I told her as I stepped away from the counter.
A faint look of disappointment flashed across Madison’s face, but she gave me a small smile before leaving the kitchen.