Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“It’s so beautiful out here,” I say with a sigh and lean against Brady. “Maybe the most beautiful place in the world.”
“We tend to agree,” Remington says with a wink. He doesn’t quite crack a smile, but Remington rarely does.
He’s so stoic.
Some might call him grumpy. At least, that’s what Erin calls him, and it never fails to make me laugh.
It doesn’t take long before we pull up to a stop, and the guys help us out of the sleigh and onto the red carpet. There aren’t any photographers out here—we don’t want anyone to freeze— but we laid the carpet so it wouldn’t be slick.
“Wow,” Brady says when we step inside. “This is really pretty.”
From the thousands of twinkle lights hanging all around us to the gorgeous white flowers on the tables, the space is absolutely gorgeous. There are already some members of our Iconic Women’s Collective here, having their photos taken, mingling, and drinking champagne.
I love that for four events a year, we include spouses or significant others. A fancy party for everyone to enjoy. We’re never disappointed in the turnout, and I’d say that this event won’t be any different.
“Oh, this is just gorg!”
We turn and smile at Katie, the young woman who works for Polly and has been dating Jake for a few months. She’s in a pretty silver dress, and Jake is in a tux, and I think my heart just melted into a puddle at the look he sends his date.
Our Jake is very smitten with Miss Katie.
“Well, aren’t you two just absolutely beautiful?” Erin asks as we make a little semi-circle around the couple. Jake’s face flushes all the way to the tips of his ears.
“Thank you,” Katie says, executing a perfect curtsy. “This is so fun. I’m going to make Jake dance all night.”
“Great,” Jake says with a smile. “Just what I love to do most. Dance.”
The guys all laugh, and Chase claps him on the shoulder, and then we start to disperse so we can mingle with our guests.
The night flies by. Everything goes smoothly, and finally, it’s almost midnight.
The DJ counts down from ten seconds, and when he reaches one, he yells, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
I’m a bit tipsy from all the champagne, but when Brady pulls me to him and lowers his magical mouth to mine, I fall the rest of the way into happy bliss.
I hear the buzzing around us, the commotion, the song. But all I feel is this man. He’s been so attentive to me all night, not afraid at all to show me affection, as if it’s a simple, foregone conclusion that we’re a couple, and he doesn’t care who sees.
It’s just moments after midnight when people start to filter out, ready to go home. The music continues, but the crowd thins significantly, and finally, around twelve-thirty, I turn to Brady and grin.
“What now?” I ask him.
“Depends,” he replies, looping his arms around my back. “Where is Daisy tonight?”
I smile slowly. “She’s having a sleepover at your parents’ house with Holly and Johnny.”
His hazel eyes narrow. “And you’re just telling me that now? Shit, I would have left hours ago.”
“I know, and as a co-host, I had to stay.” I laugh as I run my hands up and down the lapels of his suit. “This color is really great on you.”
“Your place or mine?” He’s laser-focused on me and it makes my core tighten in anticipation.
“Yours is closer.”
“Mine it is.” He nods and takes my hand, leading me toward the door. We’re stopped several times to say our goodbyes, and finally, we’re in his 4Runner, driving away from the venue.
“How did your car get there?” I ask him. “We rode a sleigh to the event.”
“The guys and I knew we’d want our own cars when it was all said and done, so we parked them out here earlier.”
“Smart.” I shift in the seat, suddenly nervous. Sure, we’ve kissed and kissed, and I feel like I’ve grown to know Brady so well over the last month or so, but it’s clear that we both intend to have sex tonight.
And I haven’t had sex with anyone in a really, really long time.
“Whoa, you’re thinking pretty hard over there.”
I smile softly and look over at him. “Are you nervous?”
“No. Absolutely not. Wait, are you nervous?”
I shrug a shoulder and bite my lip. “Maybe a little.”
He tugs my hand up to his lips and nibbles them. No, he doesn’t simply kiss my skin, he bares his teeth and nibbles. Now my nipples are hard.
“You’ll keep the earrings on,” he says, almost casually. “Because I’m going to fuck you while you wear my diamonds.”
Well, damn. Now, my panties are completely soaking, and I can’t help but squirm in the seat.
“Still nervous?” he asks me.
“No. No, I wouldn’t use that word to describe what I am.”