Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Shock and surprise fills everyone’s faces, including mine as I look up at Callum.
“See,” Anya whispers to Willow.
“Why’s it so quiet in here? Someone die?” Paxton says, stepping in with his wife, Hartford.
“Pax, don’t say d-i-e in front of August,” Shepherd says, smacking Paxton’s head as he and Felicity follow them in with their baby, August.
Well the entire family is here now and I’m ready to leave. It’s overwhelming. I’m not used to so many people for just a simple Sunday dinner. It was always just me and my dad. Occasionally, we’d have Joey and his wife or some of the other ranch hands, but not often. So, this is a lot for me.
“Damn, did we miss the big announcement?” Paxton asks, looking around.
“Yeah because you’re always late,” Callum says. “Now, everyone knows we’re married. How about we eat because I’m starving.”
Everyone starts talking and I feel like I’m in a fish bowl. I’m out of place as I feel like everyone is staring at me.
“Come with me,” Callum whispers, grabbing my hand. He leads me upstairs and into a bedroom, closing the door behind us. “That went better than I expected.”
I turn to look at him and he begins to laugh. It somehow helps and I shake my head, fighting my own laughter. “That was a lot. I’m not used to so much family or being the center of attention,” I admit.
Callum steps up to me and wraps his muscular arms around me. If I thought his hand on mine was electrifying, this is a million times more. I welcome the warmth of his body and his masculine scent. It should feel strange but it doesn’t.
It feels right. Like I fit perfectly against him.
“I told you I’ll be right by you, Violet. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable, I promise.”
I know he’s talking about his family, but as I close my eyes and listen to his deep voice, I pretend he’s talking about everything.
I pretend he’s talking about this marriage.
Chapter 12
Callum
Having Violet in my arms is not something I planned on today. However the way my family acted around her, I had to take her to a safe space and make sure she was doing okay.
Sometimes my family can be a little much. I know this. Hell, the whole town knows this.
Violet stills as I trace my hands up and down her bare arms.
"Everything’s going to be okay," I murmur, my lips dangerously close to her ear. My voice is low, meant to soothe, but the proximity sends a wave of warmth through my body, tightening the air around us. I know I should walk away, put some distance between us before this becomes something I can’t control. But I can’t move.
"Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible, and I lean back just enough to meet her gaze. Her eyes are soft, reflecting a vulnerability that tugs at something deep inside me. "It was just a lot, but I’m okay now."
I drop my head a little, so we’re eye level, searching her face for any sign that she’s not being honest. "You sure?" I ask, my voice rougher than I intend. I need to know she’s okay, but there’s more to it than that. I need to stay close to her, to feel the heat of her body lingering against mine.
Violet nods, and in that moment, she pokes her tongue out, just the slightest bit, to wet her lips, and I’m riveted. My focus narrows in on that small, innocent action, and suddenly, all I can think about is how soft those lips must be, how easily I could close the distance and kiss her. My heart pounds in my chest, the logical part of me screaming to get a grip, but it’s useless. I can’t stop staring.
I’m in so much trouble.
"I’m sure," she says, her voice slow, deliberate. There’s something in the way she speaks now, like she feels it too. There’s this thick tension building between us. The heat radiates off her in waves, drawing me in, daring me to make the next move.
My fingers twitch at my side, aching to touch her, to pull her close, but I know if I cross that line, there’s no going back. I swallow hard, trying to rein myself in, but the intensity of the moment refuses to let me go. Violet looks up at me, her lips slightly parted, and I wonder if she’s waiting for me to do something, to act on the tension crackling between us. The space between us feels charged, like we’re standing on the edge of something dangerous, and thrilling.
I force myself to step back, my jaw clenched tight. "Good," I manage to say, but my voice is thick with emotion. "That’s good."
She looks at me for a long moment, like she’s waiting for something more, but I can’t give it to her. Not now. Not when I’m this close to losing control.