Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“Are you all right?” I cup her cheek.
When she looks up at me, her eyes are swimming with tears. It breaks a piece of my heart to see her upset like this.
Without a word, I scoop her into my arms and carry her up the stairs, not stopping until I reach our room. Once I sit her on the bed, I kneel in front of her. “Talk to me, Goldie.”
I reach up and swipe the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”
She presses her cheek against my palm. “It’s just … No one’s ever stood up to my dad like that. Not that I can remember, and especially not for me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She smiles, another tear slipping free. “I wish I had my phone out so I could’ve recorded the look on his face when you took his gun away. That was priceless.”
I smirk. “I’ll have Mr. Lou check the security footage.”
She laughs a little, then sobers again. “I’m happy,” she whispers. “I don’t know what this is or why you chose me, but for the first time I can remember, I’m completely happy. The shelter gave me a little dose of it, especially when our kittens and cats would get adopted after I worked with them, but what you’ve done is so much more. I don’t understand it.”
“There’s nothing to understand, Goldie. You and I are forever. Meant to be. Call it whatever you want–but we are two parts of one soul.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so.” A familiar pressure brushes against my knee, and then Heirloom jumps onto the bed and nuzzles her elbow. “And so does Heirloom.”
“Hi, little boy.” She scratches the top of his head, his whiskers out wide as he begins to purr.
“If Elliott sees the way he is with you, I don’t know–”
“Heirloom!” Right on time, Elliott’s voice bounces down the hallway. “Come see Uncle Elliott!” He even makes the psst psst sound, but Heirloom doesn’t budge.
I stand as he peers into our room. “Elliott, this is Marigold. Marigold, this is my best man, Elliott.”
“Hi.” She stands and wipes her face once more to make sure it’s clear. “It’s nice to meet one of Avery’s friends.”
“One of his friends?” Elliott grins. “Try his only friend.” He takes her hand, and I have to force myself not to grab him by the scruff of the neck and shove him out of the room.
“Down, boy.” He smirks at me, then lets go of Marigold. “I see you’ve got this one all sewn up. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It just … happened.” She shrugs. “I’m still sort of trying to figure this whole thing out.”
“Word of advice? Don’t even think about it. Avery has an eye for just the right thing. If he’s decided you’re right for him, then you are.” He shifts his gaze to Heirloom. “Well, well, well. What have we here? My baby boy in here completely ignoring me calling for him.”
Heirloom jumps down and winds between Elliott’s ankles.
Elliott sighs. “I know I shouldn’t forgive you.” He bends down and picks him up, then gives him a kiss on the side of the nose. “But I just can’t stay mad at this handsome fella. Such a good-looking boy, just like his uncle.” He turns and carries Heirloom out.
“Your tux is already in your room,” I remind him.
“Yeah, yeah. Let me talk to my nephew in peace,” he calls.
“I think he’s jealous.” Marigold laughs.
“Absolutely.” I pull her to me and kiss her. I can’t help myself. If she’s nearby, I need to have my hands on her, my mouth on her. Pretty soon, I won’t be able to stop myself from being inside her. The thought makes me groan. I kiss her more deeply, pressing my tongue against hers and running my hands up and down her sides before cupping one of her breasts.
She arches against me, and when I thumb her hard nipple, she lets out a high moan. I know if I reached down, I’d find her hot and wet between her thighs. Perfectly ready for me to push my cock into her bit by bit. Fuck.
I have to drag myself away from her before I go too far. I find with Marigold, I always want to go too far.
“The seamstress is here.” Mrs. Lou stands in the hallway.
Marigold’s face goes pink when she realizes Mrs. Lou has been there for a while.
“Don’t worry, dear. Like I said, I have plenty of grandchildren.” She winks and escorts the seamstress into the room along with three other women carrying bags upon bags of gowns.
“Oh my God. Look at all this lace!” Marigold presses her palms to her cheeks. “This can’t be real.”
“Out.” Mrs. Lou shoves me toward the door. “Ladies only.”
I take one more look at my bride, then allow Mrs. Lou to force me from the room and close the door in my face.