Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
I didn’t know what all would change in the future, but I hoped that I continued to grow. I hadn’t been allowed to bloom for so long, but the path ahead seemed bright and promising. There were shadows and obstacles ahead of me, but I wasn’t scared of them.
No matter what, I wasn’t alone. Care and support surrounded me on all sides, and it was relieving to know where I stood with my father. However, there was one more conversation I needed to have today, and it would be the most important talk of my life.
24
EMERY
When I reached the front door of the loft, I paused for a few moments, taking in a breath to steady myself. I couldn’t deny that I was nervous to talk to all of them about what I felt for them, but it was time. Even if Deviau was out there, I doubted that he would make an appearance for a long time. So, I didn’t really need bodyguards any longer.
The last thing I wanted was for them to leave, though.
I unlocked the door and walked inside to see them in the living room, relaxing and watching television. The only reason they weren’t tense was because I was on the phone with them on the way back to the loft. Before that, I texted them every time I made a move to let them know that I wasn’t taken or dead like they kept fearing.
“There she is,” Rhett quipped, lifting his hand to wave at me as he lounged against one side of the couch.
“How was your dad?” Andrew asked as he rose to his feet, reaching out to take my hand when I approached. When he noticed the nervous look on my face, he frowned in concern. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”
I swallowed hard and gestured to the couch.
“Can you all sit there? I need to talk to you,” I said, motioning to Benjamin and Akio, who occupied the floor and lounge chair. I wanted to be able to look at all of them while I talked.
Once they all took a seat, they gave me perplexed, worried looks.
I didn’t mean to make them nervous, but I couldn’t control my anxiety. I wanted them so badly, and I just didn’t want to lose them after we had gotten so close.
“First off, nothing is wrong. I’ve just had something on my mind that I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about,” I said, starting by putting them at ease. They relaxed slightly, but they were still tense with curiosity.
“Are you firing us?” Rhett asked, receiving a hard nudge from Benjamin.
I cracked an amused smile.
“As bodyguards, I am firing you,” I replied, seeing frowns threaten on their faces. “But I don’t just see you guys as my bodyguards. We’ve bonded. A lot.”
Andrew smiled warmly and nodded.
“I don’t think any of us have felt connected to someone like we feel connected to you,” he said.
Warmth burned my cheeks as a blush lit up my skin. At least I wasn’t alone in that feeling.
“I want you all to know that I care about each and every one of you,” I told them as my eyes shifted to each of them. “I… I love all of you.”
The guys looked between each other, looking surprised. Their looks of shock then mellowed out into looks of awe.
“We fell for you a while ago,” Akio admitted. “Hard and fast.”
Rhett parted his lips like he wanted to make a joke, but he snapped his mouth shut and merely smiled.
“I know it’s a big request, but I want you all to stay with me. Not as bodyguards but as… partners? Boyfriends? I don’t know,” I laughed bashfully as I drifted my fingers through my hair, drawing it back from my face. I didn’t even know if I was wording any of this correctly.
“You’d be with all of us?” Benjamin asked.
I chewed on my bottom lip as I nodded.
“I know it’s a little crazy, but I want all of you… if you want me,” I replied.
Andrew looked at the others.
“I’m not losing you. I’ll share,” he said, earning nods of agreement from the others. He then turned to me. “So, this is serious?”
“I want to be with all of you for as long as possible. Forever,” I told him.
Andrew breathed in deeply through his nose, seeming a bit nervous himself.
“There’s just one thing for me,” he said.
I felt my heart stop. Would this not work out?
“I’ve always wanted a family. Kids of my own,” Andrew explained.
I let out a breath of relief as I smiled warmly at him. I stepped forward and took his hands.
“Me too,” I replied. I wanted to take time to flesh out my plans and desires, but I wanted kids too. It always lingered in the back of my head, but I hadn’t thought of it too deeply since I never even had a boyfriend. Now, I had four, and the thought of having kids running around and watching them be fatherly made my heart flutter.