Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“My independence is important.”
“And that isn’t changing. You get over your hissy fit enough to rationalize, you’ll see it clearly. Moving in with your fiancé isn’t stripping your independence; it’s part of your journey. He did what he needed to do. Now, you need to go to him. He’s waiting.” Ronnie’s words hit hard.
“Dammit!”
“Our job here is done.” Janice flits by, squeezing my arm supportively. “We’ll see you this weekend.”
They file out, Ronnie stopping at the door, her eyes glistening. “Blood or not, you will always be my family.”
Tears cloud her image and I inhale deep. She’s gone when I get myself together.
I don’t spare another glimpse around, urgency taking over.
Harley would usually be my go-to in situations like this. But she and Ace don’t get home from their honeymoon until late tonight. I’m on my own with this one.
My thoughts are all over the place on the drive to Major’s. I pull around the house to his private entrance like usual, but this time is different.
Do I knock? Open the door? Why am I nervous?
Major opens the door, striding confidently to meet me at my car. Instantly, my senses go on alert. He’s in black dress slacks with a tailored white button-down rolled at the sleeves, revealing the ink on his forearms. Déjà vu from the night he proposed flies through my mind.
“Besides the obvious, what are you up to?”
His hands settle on my waist, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Besides the obvious?”
“You stole all my belongings.”
“They aren’t stolen; they’re inside.”
“Moving is something we should have discussed.”
“We did.”
“I told you I’d think about it.”
“That was two weeks ago. My patience wore off.” He crooks an eyebrow, daring me to argue.
I can’t. He brought it up the morning after the wedding in front of our families. Everyone, including my crazy brothers, agreed it was a good idea. I deferred, saying I’d think about it. Major has brought it up multiple times, his tolerance waning.
“I’m not reading a rip-roaring, full-blown fit from you right now.” He brushes his thumb across my cheek.
“Thirty minutes ago, I was livid. But you have some wise women on your side.”
“I’ll have to thank them.”
“This is a big deal. I’ve been on my own a long time.” My whisper exposes my vulnerability.
“You’re still you, Jewls. That’s what makes me love you more each day.”
“You took the decision away from me.”
“I took the initiative to move along the inevitable. Our opposite schedules can’t be helped. Having you here full time, knowing you crawl into my bed at night, that you and our children are safe under this roof, waking up next to you on mornings I’m off-shift—it gives me peace.”
Gives me peace…
There is no more argument or hesitation. Major‘s past is overloaded with enough loss, anguish, and grief for a lifetime. I will do whatever it takes to bring peace and brightness to him.
“Okay, Major.” I tip up to kiss him.
He cups the back of my head, slanting to go deeper. I melt, letting him take what he needs. His tongue explores my mouth, sweeping everywhere. He groans his approval, threading his fingers in my hair.
My heart thunders in my chest, my lungs searching for air. I breathe him in, the scent of fresh pine, clean linen, and all him filling my senses.
“Fuck, baby.” He tears away, placing his forehead to mine. “We need to get inside.”
I brace on his biceps, my knees tottering.
He grins wickedly, lifting to carry me.
Once the door shuts behind us, I’m stunned silent. The blackout curtains are drawn, the only light coming from dozens of little candles around the room. In the middle of the bed lay my shoes with two large envelopes.
“Major?”
“Open the black one first.”
He sets me on wobbly feet as I cross the room and unseal the envelope, pulling out the stack of papers.
My eyes pop and heart picks up speed at seeing the blueprints.
“All permits are approved, materials ordered, and slab goes down on Monday. The contractor said it will be done by mid-November.”
My head whips up. “But I’m due…”
“I told him that date was unacceptable. He agreed to hire additional sub-crews, and the house will be completed October twentieth, possibly earlier.”
“Poor guy, you and Ace applying pressure.”
“He knows what’s on the line.”
I browse over the plans, ready to explode into girly squeals.
“Open the white one.”
This envelope is lighter, a single piece of paper. When I see the sketch, my heart stops.
“Major?” My lips tremble and voice cracks.
“It’s a first draft. You don’t like it, Ember has other ideas.”
“Ember?”
“There’s only one person I trust to give you what you want and fulfill my promise.”
“Promise?”
“She assures me this dress, no matter your size in August, will allow you to see your shoes.”
“August?” I sound like a damn parrot.
“I know it isn’t your dream to get married while pregnant, but we can do it again after the babies are born. Glitz, glamour, huge ass party with everything you want.”