Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.” Brooks chuckles.
I don’t get a chance to reply because the ladies are making their way back to our table. “I’m all danced out,” Ramsey tells Deacon.
“We’re out,” he says, standing and wrapping my cousin in his arms. His hand goes to her belly. It’s still flat, but after watching Orrin, Brooks, Declan, and even Rushton with their pregnant wives, I know he doesn’t care that you can’t see the evidence of her pregnancy. They know it’s there.
One by one, each of my brothers stands to collect their wives. I stand as well, stretching my arms above my head, and my eyes land on Scarlett. She’s wasted. The glassy look in her eyes and the cheesy smile on her face are a dead giveaway. Her eyes land where my shirt has risen just above my waistband, and she licks her lips.
I remind myself that she’s off limits, at least for tonight, as I push my chair in and make my way around the table to where she’s standing. “You ready to go?”
“Shh,” she says dramatically, holding her index finger to her lips. “They might hear you.”
“They know that wasn’t our first kiss, Firecracker.”
“Huh,” she says and leans into me.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. “Where are your keys?” I ask.
“In my purse.”
“Here you go.” Crosby hands me said purse. “You’re taking care of her, right?” she asks.
“I’ve got her.”
“Okay.” Crosby leans in and hugs us both. “Be safe. It was nice to have you join us tonight, Scarlett. We try to do this once a month or so when time allows. I’ll make sure Palmer lets you know.”
“That. Do that.” Scarlett nods vigorously, making us laugh.
“She’s three sheets to the wind,” I tell Crosby and Rushton, who comes to stand next to his wife.
“Take care of her.” There is something in my sister-in-law’s voice that has me quickly reassuring them that I’ve got Scarlett covered. Crosby didn’t have the best upbringing, and I assume she and Scarlett bonded over that fact. I’m sure that Crosby sees a little of herself in Scarlett.
“Come here.” Despite my brother’s protest, I pull his wife into a hug. “I promise she’s safe.” Crosby nods against my chest before stepping back, letting her body relax into Rushton.
“Well, see you guys later.” With Scarlett’s purse in one hand and my other wrapped around her waist, we reach my truck, and I lift her into the passenger seat. “Can you buckle yourself in?”
“I can, but what if I want you to do it for me?”
With a soft laugh and a shake of my head, I lean into the truck and secure her seat belt. Just as I’m getting her belt locked into place, I feel her hands in my hair. When our eyes meet, I see the same hunger I feel for her staring back at me.
“Why are you taking care of me?”
Her question catches me off guard. “Because you need me.”
“Just that simple?” she asks softly.
“Yeah, Firecracker. It’s just that simple.” Not able to resist, I press my lips to the corner of her mouth before pulling away and closing her door behind me.
I slide behind the wheel and glance over. She has her eyes closed and her head tilted to the side. She looks so peaceful, and even with the glow of the parking lot lights, she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper as I lift Scarlett into my arms. She immediately locks her arms around my neck and holds on tight.
“Archer?”
“It’s me,” I tell her.
“Where are we?”
“My place. You said you’d come home with me, remember?”
“Are we going to have sex?” Her voice is sleepy and sexy. Add her question to that dangerous combination and my cock rises to the occasion.
“Not tonight.”
“I have to win a bet.”
“You have to sleep.”
“I’m pretty tired.”
“I know you are, Firecracker.” I carefully take the steps to my front door, knowing I have precious cargo in my arms. I somehow manage to get the door open without putting her down or dropping her and make my way inside.
“I’m going to put you down.”
“No. I like it when you hold me.”
Damn. “I’ll be right back. I promise. I have to go lock up the house. I left the door open.” I don’t know why I’m explaining it to her. She’s half passed out.
“You said you don’t break promises.”
Laying her on the bed, I quickly turn on the bedside lamp before kneeling next to her, pushing her hair out of her eyes. “I don’t, baby.” The term of endearment just slips out, but I don’t panic. The chances of her remembering any of this tomorrow are slim. “I’m going to lock up so you’re safe inside, and then I’ll be right back.”
“I’m always alone.”
My heart cracks right in two at her whispered, sleepy confession. “Not tonight, Scar. Tonight, I’m right here.” Standing, I lean over the bed and drop a kiss on her forehead before hustling out of the room to shut and lock the front door. I make a quick detour to the kitchen to grab a bottle of headache medicine from the cabinet and a couple of bottles of water from the refrigerator. I need to get her to drink at least one of them before she’s out for the rest of the night and swallow a couple of these pills to help prevent her hangover in the morning.