Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“And if I don’t know what path I’m even looking for?”
“Close your eyes right now.”
I sighed in frustration and closed my eyes. Bryson came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him. It felt so good to be in his arms, and at that instant, I knew there was no walking away from us. From at least seeing where things took us.
“Put yourself in a place where you feel the happiest.”
Groaning, I said, “Oh God, Bryson, this mind shit doesn’t work on me.”
He squeezed me. “Rose, please?”
“Fine.” I closed my eyes and tried to think of where I would be happiest. Images started to float through my mind. Being in Bryson’s arms. Riding my favorite horse. Game night with my family. Looking up at the stars with Bryson. Painting Bryson. Painting at sunset. Painting a little girl running in an open field filled with wildflowers. Painting Bryson holding the hand of a little boy as they walked toward the setting sun.
My eyes snapped open, and my entire body went tense.
“What the fuck?” I whispered.
“Um, that wasn’t the response I was hoping to get. You couldn’t find a happy place?” His voice had a bit of teasing to it.
Turning in his arms, I stared up at him. “I don’t want the LLC.”
“Okay,” he replied. “What do you want?”
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
I opened my mouth and was about to give him a one-word reply. But I was so strong in the knowledge that I was about to follow my heart and my head. There was no fear, no worry, just pure happiness in knowing I was certain of something in my life.
You. I want you.
The doors opened, and my father stepped out. “Is everything okay?”
My head suddenly spun, and I forced myself to remain calm. Could you fall in love with someone this quickly? No! No, of course you couldn’t.
“Rose?” Dad asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
“Everything is fine, Dad. I don’t want the LLC. I don’t want to do this for a living.”
I could feel Bryson next to me. He took my hand in his and gave it a soft squeeze, a show of him being there for me if I needed him.
Dad looked confused. “Ooookay.”
“I’m going to design Bryson’s house. I’m going to work at the boutique and I’m going to…”
Looking between them both, a sense of calm washed over me. “I’m going to go see if Mom wants to paint with me.”
“Paint?” my father asked, his gaze shifting to Bryson who nodded. He looked back at me, and I could tell he was asking himself if I’d lost my damn mind.
Standing up straighter, I squared my shoulders. “Let’s get this finished. I have somewhere I need to be.”
I started to head back into the building when I stopped, glanced over my shoulder at Bryson, and said, “Yes, I’ll go to dinner with you tomorrow night.”
As I turned around and headed in, I heard my father say, “What happened out here?”
Bryson replied, “She’s finding her happy place.”
Reality hit me right in the gut, and I hadn’t been prepared in the least bit. But I was ready for it all. At least, I hoped I was ready for it.
“Holy shit. I’m about to take the leap.”
Chapter Thirteen
BRYSON
Pulling into the small parking lot behind La Chic Boutique, the store that Rose’s cousin’s owned and where she was now currently employed, I parked next to Rose’s Bronco. I turned off the truck, slipped out, and shut the door. I wasn’t sure why in the hell I was so nervous, though. Maybe because it was our first official date? Or it was because it was Rose. Maybe it was because I let Ty talk me into thinking it was for the best we didn’t tell Rose that both of our parents would be joining us for dinner. And all I really wanted to do was skip dinner and take her to bed.
I walked up the steps, taking them two by two, and found myself standing on the little porch. There wasn’t anything on the porch except for a couple of hanging plants and a rug that was imprinted with I like it dirty. My mind instantly went to an image of Rose’s mouth around my cock. I shook that thought away as I chuckled thinking ‘yeah, I like it dirty, too’ and knocked on the door.
A few moments later it opened, and my breath was knocked right out of my lungs.
“Wow,” I whispered as I took in the beauty standing before me.
Rose grinned and motioned me inside. Once she shut the door, she did a little spin. “You like?”
My eyes dropped to her chest, where her breasts were on display, but only enough to make me want to see more.
“You look fucking amazing.”