Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
When I stand up, everyone has long since forgotten my reply and Archer’s dig and has moved on to what we should do today.
“I vote absolutely nothing,” Brooks says. He’s standing behind Palmer with his arms around her, his hands resting over their unborn daughter.
I admit my heart melts when I see these guys with their wives. It’s definitely relationship goals. I want what they have.
“Agreed,” Deacon chimes in. “I marry the love of my life next week. Just relaxing before the chaos of all the wedding stuff sounds perfect.”
“What chaos?” Palmer asks. “Your bride has it all worked out. It’s a small affair. Everything is going to be perfect,” she tells her brother.
Deacon’s eyes soften as they look between his fiancée, Ramsey, and his little sister. “Regardless of what happens, the day will be perfect because, at the end of the day, I get to call this one”—he points to Ramsey—“my wife.”
“Aww,” the ladies in the room coo.
“Just like that, panties dropping all over the place,” Maverick jokes.
“Don’t talk about my wife’s panties,” Declan grumps.
“He’s not wrong,” I speak up. “It’s sweet.”
“Right?” Kennedy agrees.
“Consider my panties dropped.” Jade chuckles.
“Hey now.” Orrin pulls her into his chest, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “No one is dropping your panties but me.”
“Ramsey Setty has a nice ring to it.” Ramsey winks at her fiancé, and the smile that lights up Deacon’s face can only be described as blinding.
“So, hanging by the pool?” Rushton asks.
“Two more days to do absolutely nothing? Sign me up,” Merrick says, snagging a piece of bacon from the plate in the center of the island of this huge kitchen.
“Oh, I have something for us to do today.” Palmer grins.
“What?” Brooks asks.
“Just a little something I thought would be fun.” There is an evil glint in her eyes. That look alone tells me that we’re in for a treat.
“You holding out on me, beautiful?” Brooks asks her.
“I would never.” Palmer turns to look at him over her shoulder. “You’ll be involved,” she assures him.
“That’s really vague, but I’m in,” Maverick tells his sister-in-law.
“Eat up, ladies,” Ryder says, handing Jordyn a plate. “We’ve got a heated pool and some rays calling our name.”
Everyone does what he says and digs into the piles of bacon and pancakes that are on multiple plates on the island.
“You know,” Ramsey says. “I could get used to you all spoiling us like this.”
“Come on now, Rams.” Archer laughs. “We all know Deacon dotes on you. It’s all right. We’ve already taken his man card.”
“Pfft. I handed it over willingly,” Deacon counters.
“Little brother, there is nothing wrong with spoiling the love of your life,” Brooks tells him. “That’s how you earn your man card.”
Archer taps his index finger against his chin as he lets his gaze roam over his brothers.
“What are you doing?” Declan asks, laughing.
“I’m trying to decide which one of us is next to lose their balls,” Archer jests.
“We didn’t lose them,” Orrin tells him. “We just found good women to love with all we’ve got. You’ll get there. In fact, you might be next.”
“Stop!” Archer holds his hand up, shaking his head. “Don’t curse me like that.”
“You think that love is a curse?” Ramsey asks him.
“No, but I’m too young to settle down like these old asses.” He points to Deacon, Orrin, Brooks, and Declan.
“Love knows no age,” Brooks tells him.
“Come on, man. It’s our family motto,” Declan adds. “Work hard, love harder. Don’t fight it.”
Archer again raises his hands in defense. “I’m not fighting anything. I’m just enjoying my time being single. Besides, I get bored easily. It’s going to take someone with spirit to tame me.”
“Oh, I can’t wait.” Orrin rubs his hands together.
“You’ve got some time,” Archer tells him.
“I agree,” Palmer adds.
“Me too,” Jade says.
“Yeah, we all know that Sterling is the next to fall,” Ramsey says, causing Sterling to choke on the piece of bacon he just shoved in his mouth.
I watch as Merrick smacks him on the back harder than necessary. Sterling grabs his glass of milk and takes a hefty drink. I find myself watching the column of his throat as he swallows. How have I never noticed how sexy that was before?
“What are you talking about, Rams?” Sterling manages to ask, still dazed by her proclamation.
Ramsey shrugs as if her statement is no big deal. She can’t see what her words are doing to me. My heart is racing, and my hands are clammy. I don’t know if it’s the thought of losing my best friend to the love of his life or the thoughts she and the rest of the ladies have put into my head that maybe, just maybe that person could be me.
“I think you’re next.”
“Why do you think that?” Sterling gives her his full attention as if the answer that she gives will dictate his entire future.