Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“You detest baths. You told me that on our last visit. Did you go soft on me? Are you sitting around taking lavender baths these days?” She teases.
I try not to make a face. A bath isn’t my idea of fun unless I have Lyla naked next to me. Then it would be different. “The bathroom also has a walk-in shower.”
She shakes her head. “So, why a jacuzzi? You spent money on something you’ll never use and that doesn’t make you happy.”
“Because you like baths,” I explain. “Every element of the cabin was picked with you in mind. Every choice I made came back to what would make you happy.”
Tears fill her eyes. “Amos,” she breathes my name so softly.
She is an angel. Better than I deserve. More than I could ask for. But I’m not letting her go. For now to eternity, she’s mine. She’s always been mine and it’s time I explain that. “I always knew we were meant to be together. I spent years fighting it and I’m done, Lyla. You’re mine and as soon as this damn snowstorm clears, you’re moving into our cabin.”
The sweetest smile crosses her face. “We’re together. We have a cabin.”
“Fuck, yeah we are.” I press a chaste kiss to her lips, not letting myself deepen it. We have a whole lifetime of happiness to look forward to together. There’s no reason to rush.
Lyla
I wake the next morning pressed against the soft t-shirt Amos is wearing. His chest rises and falls in a slow rhythm, and I snuggle deeper into him. I could get used to this, waking up sore and sated next to the man I love.
Last night’s conversation goes through my head again. I always knew we were meant to be together. I spent years fighting it and I’m done, Lyla. You’re mine.
He didn’t say he loved me but I’m pretty sure that he feels the same way I do. A bubbly, hopeful feeling rises in my chest as I think about his cabin. I wonder what it will be like to live together in a place he designed just for me.
My phone beeps and I scramble from the bed to grab it before it can wake Amos. It’s a text from my brother.
As soon as I see his name, my heart sinks. I don’t know what he’s going to think about us together. I doubt he’ll be happy. He might realize Amos is a good guy, but I know enough about the bro code to understand that sisters are supposed to be off-limits.
I haven’t heard from you. Where are you? Storm still going strong?
I cross to the living room, the hardwood floors cold beneath my bare feet. I don’t want the sound of my texting to wake Amos.
Glancing out the window at the falling snow fills me with that magical feeling I’d get as a kid when I knew it was going to be a snow day. Quickly, I text him back.
Everything is fine. I’m conserving my battery. Call you later.
I probably shouldn’t brush him off, but I don’t want Jamie interrupting the beautiful bubble of happiness that I’m in. I just want to be with Amos. It’s so easy, so natural when we’re together.
For a moment, I wonder what he’ll do when Jamie finds out. It’s not like I can keep something this big from him. What will Amos say? Is he willing to risk his friendship with my brother over us?
“What are you thinking about so intently?” His gruff voice interrupts my thoughts as he slides his arms around my hips and pulls me against his bare chest.
I let out a little sigh, loving the feel of him wrapped around my body. “It’s a perfect snow day and I know how we should spend it.” I tug on his hand, guiding it to cup my mound.
He drops his hand and chuckles, the sound a quiet rumble. “Nice try. I know you’re sore, woman.”
“There’s not some law against it,” I pout.
“What if I make you breakfast? You still like my French toast with extra syrup, right?” He nips at my neck.
“I want a different kind of breakfast,” I insist, turning my head so he has the perfect angle.
“Another day. We have decades to look forward to together,” he promises, placing a kiss on my head. “Now go get dressed while your man cooks for you.”
“So, let me see if I’ve got it right,” Amos says as he slides the last donut onto the metal baking tray. “We’ll put these in the proofer for forty minutes so they can expand before we dump them in the oil and cover them in the glaze.”
I give him a saucy wink from the stove where I’m stirring together the glaze mixture. “You’ve got it, baby. I’ll make a baker out of you yet.”