Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
He crowded me. “What if I told you I wanted to take care of you?”
I blinked up at him. “I would say no.”
“Why?”
“I can’t get used to having someone around who might walk.”
“Not going to happen.”
Then his lips were on mine. Hot, hard, seeking. He tugged me to his chest, devouring me with his mouth. I whimpered, wrapping my arms around his neck. He lifted me, letting my feet dangle in midair as he kissed me. Endless moments passed until he broke away, leaning his forehead to mine. Our eyes locked, intense green meeting confused brown.
He set me on my feet.
“I am not walking away.”
“My life isn’t mine to give you right now.”
“I’ll fit in wherever you have space.”
“Ronan—”
He cut me off with another kiss. “I have never felt this attraction to another woman before, Beth. You’re all I can think of. Don’t ask me to walk away. Don’t end us before we begin. Especially not because of time. We can figure it out. Please.”
I sighed, unable to resist. Not wanting to.
“Come for breakfast Sunday,” I whispered. “But Ronan, my brother is part of the package—you need to understand—”
He interrupted me. “Yes.”
“I don’t know—”
His mouth pressed to mine. “Yes.”
I sighed. “Okay. Sunday. Ten.”
He kissed me again. “Yes.”
Chapter Seven
Beth
Sunday morning, I was up even earlier than usual. Knowing Ronan would be here with us today made me excited. And nervous. I wasn’t sure which sensation was the most prominent. The diner had been busy on Friday and Saturday, plus there was a last-minute order for three extra cakes that had come in early on Friday from a company downtown, so I’d gone in early Saturday to bake some extras to cover the ones purchased and delivered on Friday. I didn’t mind because the extra income was a bonus. My boss was thrilled because the company paid extra for last-minute plus delivery. He gave me a bonus for it, which meant my bank account breathed a little easier.
I made up the pancake batter, doubling the usual amount since Ronan would be there. I grated potatoes to make hash browns and started the bacon. Evan would be thrilled. In his opinion, bacon was a food group unto itself and should be served with every meal.
Paige smirked as she watched me putter around. She sipped her coffee. “This guy has you spinning in circles. Although,” she drawled, “seeing those muscles, I understand why.”
“Stop it. There’s more to Ronan than muscles.”
She leaned her chin on her hand. “I bet there is. Is he packing?”
I gaped at her, and she shrugged. “Come on,” she teased. “I have to live vicariously through you.”
“How would I know?” I asked.
“From the look of your swollen mouth and mussy hair the other night, I would say you do.”
My cheeks flushed. I had been rather disheveled on Thursday when I stumbled in the front door. Paige had been awake, and the grin on her face had made me blush, mutter about being exhausted, and head downstairs as fast as I could.
I shook my head. “You’re awful.” Then I waggled my eyebrows. “And he is.”
“I knew it.”
Evan walked in, rubbing his eyes. “Bacon?” he asked hopefully.
“Yep.” I wiped the back of my neck. “Ronan is going to have breakfast with us.”
He frowned. “The big guy who was here?”
“Yes.”
“Cool. I liked him.” He sat down beside Paige, who ruffled his hair. He swiped at her hand, pretending to be annoyed, but he grinned as he did it. “So, is he your boyfriend?”
“Um, we’re friends?” I said, making it sound more like a question.
He crossed his arms on the table. “I’m old enough to know what a boyfriend is, Beth. As long as he doesn’t tell me what to do, I’m cool.”
“I don’t think he’d do that.”
“Okay.”
I turned back to the stove, trying not to smile.
Boyfriend. I whispered the word under my breath, wondering how Ronan would feel about being called that. We’d only had one date, so it was too soon to put a label on us. I needed to know more about him. He was such an open person until I asked him questions about himself or his family. Maybe there was bad blood or a break between them. I would give him time to trust me—I was sure he would tell me once we got to know each other a little more.
An hour later, I was ready. The food was mostly done except for the eggs. Everyone liked them differently, and I always made them last. Scrambled for Evan and Lucy. Fried for Paige. Poached for me. I wondered how Ronan would like them.
The doorbell sounded, and I sucked in a deep breath as I walked down the hall. I guessed I was about to find out.
I opened the door, Ronan’s broad shoulders filling the doorway. His smile was wide as he cast his gaze over me. He stepped closer and lowered his head.