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)
“Appreciate it.”
“Off the record, the actions of you and your team stopped a catastrophic act. I’m glad the bastards are no longer breathing.”
“So are we.” I half-salute her on my way out the door.
“Wow.” Jewls leans forward in her seat, looking up through the windshield. “This is incredible.”
“It’s a house.”
“Major! You have a fountain in your driveway.”
“Technically, the driveway circles it.”
“There are four garages.”
“One is an add-on.”
“Your parents added a garage when they already had three?”
“When they viewed this place, it was a pit. Total gut job. Dad didn’t want to bother with the hassle, but Mom fell in love. Unless they wanted to steal square footage from other rooms, they couldn’t add much storage space inside. Dad built the extra garage bay as a shed. It holds whatever shit Mom can’t fit in the house.”
“What a nifty idea.”
“Not sure he would agree anything about this place is nifty. But Mom loves it, so he agrees to almost anything.”
“Hence the fountain with the dancing goddess in the front?”
“You got it. Stay there.” I go around the truck to her door and help her down.
“I’m capable of getting out on my own. That’s what the racing boards are for.”
“My way is better.” I kiss her forehead and link our hands.
The front door swings open, and Mom comes rushing out. “You’re finally here.”
I wrap my arm around her, keeping Jewls close. “Hey, Mom.” She barely gives me a squeeze but crushes Jewls into her with a high-pitched squeal.
“Your mom has been pacing the floors watching out the window since your text half an hour ago.” Dad pats me on the back. “Good to see you, son.”
“Wanna tell me again why you drove instead of taking a fifty-five-minute flight?” Drake saunters up with Sam on his heels.
“Air travel is for sissies.” The twins always give me shit about my preference to drive. My years in the military gave me plenty of time on planes. And unless I upgrade to First Class, commercial flights don’t accommodate my size. The thought of being cooped up with a bunch of people while trying to get comfortable in a standard-size seat never appealed to me. Plus, I like the idea of having six hours alone with Jewls.
“I enjoyed the drive,” Jewls pipes in, winking at me.
They exchange a look and a curt nod. “Definitely brainwashed,” Sam states.
“Good thing we have all weekend to bring back her sanity.” Drake hugs her, lifting her off the ground and spinning.
She’s forced to drop my hand and brace onto his shoulders. I hold on to my composure until his hand slips dangerously close to her ass.
“Put my girlfriend down before I break your arms.”
“Major, you shouldn’t threaten your brother.” Mom giggles.
“Yeah, Major. What’s wrong with me hugging Jewls?” he goads.
“Hug her with her feet on the ground.”
“Is he always this insecure?” He sets her down.
“Not sure insecure is the term I’d use.”
“What’s with the welcome wagon?”
“Wanted to make sure Jewls gets settled.” Sam drapes an arm over her shoulders.
“She’ll settle just f—”
“Actually,” Jewls smiles at my mom and steps over, curling to my side, “I asked them to come. Tonight’s a big night.”
“Tonight’s like any other night.”
“Not true. Harley, Talon, and Ford, along with the parents and Tom, are at Tom’s celebrating Ace’s reinstatement. Since we couldn’t be with them, and we left Nashville earlier than expected, I wanted to celebrate with everyone here. This weekend is a celebration of your dad, but tonight is a celebration of you.”
Her green eyes dance with happiness so vivid I’m momentarily stunned. My family has always been close, and it doesn’t take much to enjoy a good party. But the last time we actually celebrated me was my high school graduation. The day I quit college and announced I joined the Corps, Mom begged to do something special before I left. But under the circumstances, I declined.
Looking at her now, feeling the excitement she’s radiating is infectious. A realization races through my system and strikes deep in my soul.
I fucking love this woman.
Her eyes grow wide right before my mouth crashes down. She whimpers, clutching my waist as my tongue curls around hers. After a second, she melts into me. All too soon, a throat rumbles, followed by another, and I remember our audience. Slowly, I pull away, placing my forehead to hers.
“Thank you.”
“You deserve it.”
“I’m beginning to think Jewls has a thing for sucking face in public.” There’s a beat of silence before my family all bursts into laughter.
A bright blush splotches her cheeks and she shoves me, defending herself. “That was not my fault.”
“How about we get the suitcases?” Dad unloads the bags from the back, handing them to my brothers.
“We’ll be there in a minute.” I wait until the sound of the door closes before I place my lips back on hers.