Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Brianna ran her hands up my back to my shoulders, making my body stiffen at first. I didn’t expect her to stay out here with me. Or to touch me like this. She shouldn’t, right?
But David was obviously fine with her getting close to the others. I didn’t think that I could bring myself to stop if she sidled even closer. Watching her be as determined as us and catching a glimpse of her curves through thin tank tops and short shorts kept me up in the late hours of the night.
In a good way.
“He’d be really proud of you,” Brianna said as she coaxed me to turn around. She gave me a kind smile, one that made my heart forget how to beat for a second. I hadn’t been looked at like that in a long time. “But do you love what you do enough to do it for yourself?”
I nodded without a second thought.
“Of course. These guys are my brothers, and I like helping people. You know, my family was full of engineers and inventors before my dad decided to switch it up and go into the military,” I told her.
Brianna lifted her eyebrows in interest.
“Really? Why the military?” she asked.
“Because we learned how to protect the ones we love,” I replied, remembering the comforting grin of my dad and the way he always put me and my mom first. “I almost failed that today when Emmett got shot.”
Brianna frowned as she shook her head.
“You have to let go of that. You can’t control everything,” she said before sighing. “Trust me. If I could control everything I felt, my life would probably be a lot simpler.”
I tilted my head a little, able to hear the stress in her voice. I didn’t expect her to seem so… conflicted.
“Is this about you and the others?” I asked. “And David?”
“Kind of. Well, yes, but it’s mostly about me,” Brianna admitted before looking away. “If I followed in the footsteps of my parents, I’d be at home caring for kids without a single dirty thought about another man besides my husband.”
But that wasn’t the case at all. She was here with all of us, and I couldn’t help but want to know what those dirty thoughts consisted of.
“Desire is the hardest thing to control,” I pointed out as I moved a half-step closer to her.
Brianna’s breathing went silent, her cheeks flushing that usual bashful hue that made her look even more beautiful. Her eyes swept up my tall figure, taking me in with a glint of awe and desire in her gaze. he liked when I loomed over her. A lot.
“I just don’t think I’ll ever be that content housewife my parents thought I’d be,” she said. “I want more than that. David wants more than that for me.”
She deserved more than what her parents saw for her. She deserved everything she wanted because she was a kind, supportive person. I saw that when she was with David. With the other guys. With the rebels. Right now with me.
“You should take what you want,” I told her. “I’m scared of letting things go, but you’re scared of reaching for them.”
Brianna’s eyes widened. At first, I thought I crossed a line and accidentally dealt a low blow, but her face hardened a little in determination.
“No, you’re right. I just wish I didn’t question every move I made. Every feeling I have,” she said.
“It’s okay to be cautious as long as it doesn’t stop you from getting what you want,” I told her. I probably shouldn’t apply those words to my own life, tough. If I did, she would’ve already been in my arms with our lips pressed together.
“You went after what you wanted. Did you have any doubts?” she asked.
“Many. They faded along the way, but I knew I couldn’t stop what I felt was meant to be,” I replied as my fingertips brushed her upper arm. Was it meant for her to find me all alone out here? For us to have this deep conversation?
“Meant to be,” Brianna murmured, thoughtfulness gracing her face. She then smiled up at me. “I’m glad I found you out here. I’ve been wanting to talk to you. Get to know you.”
“What do you think so far?” I asked with a light chuckle, my fingers sliding lower toward her hand.
Brianna glanced away in a shy manner before righting herself and meeting my eyes.
“I like who I’ve gotten to know. A lot,” she admitted. “I’m always nervous to wonder what you guys think about me.”
I hummed under my breath as I took her hand, pulling her an inch closer to me out of instinct. I wanted her closer.
“I’ll tell you what I think. I think you’re sharp as a whip. I think you’re beautiful and sweet. And I also think that you let too many voices cloud your mind and distract you from what you want.”