Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“You plan on keeping her a secret?”
“No. Fuck that. I want everyone to know, but she and I need to talk first.”
“I can keep a secret,” he assures me.
“I hope it won’t be a secret for long.”
“Your fantasy?” Marshall asks.
“Yep.”
“Damn,” he breathes.
“Yeah.” I kiss the top of her head again and know that I need to get her upstairs. I’d love nothing more than to hold her here all night, but I know Aspen, and waking up with me and my little brother in the basement will not be something that she’s excited about, especially since she’s been ignoring me. “I’m going to take her to her room. I’ll be right back.”
“You sure about that?” he teases.
“I’ll be back,” I assure him. Standing, I carefully lift her into my arms.
“Conrad?” she asks sleepily.
“It’s me, baby.”
“I miss you,” she replies groggily.
“You have no idea.” My reply falls on deaf ears as she falls back to sleep. Luckily I’m able to carry her up both flights of steps without running into anyone. When I lay her on her bed, her eyes open.
“I wish you could stay with me.”
“I can if that’s what you want. I’ll stay.”
“You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it was a one-time thing.”
That noise you heard? That was my heart cracking. “No. It wasn’t.”
“You don’t do serious.”
“I do now.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Have I given you reason not to?”
“Only every minute since I’ve known you.”
“And our time here? Does that not count for something?” I want to strip her out of her clothes and remind her how good we are together. Surely, she hasn’t forgotten.
“It was the circumstances, Conrad. You and I both know that.”
“No.” I lean in close so she is sure to see me. I want her to look into my eyes. “What I know is I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. What I know is that our time here has changed me. Our night together altered my universe. I want you.” I finish speaking and place the palm of my hand against her cheek. My touch seems to have her melting into the mattress. That tells me all I need to know.
“Goodnight, Conrad.”
Dismissed.
I want to scream and yell and fight for her. Fight for us, but this isn’t the time or the place. We’ll get through this wedding, and then I’ll show her. I’ll prove to her that she’s changed me, and there is no one on this earth better for me than her. Leaning in, I press a gentle kiss to her lips. “This isn’t over.” I kiss her again and stand. “Night, baby.”
I force myself to leave her room. In my mind, I’m already formulating a plan to win the girl. Touch by touch, I’ll prove to her that we’re meant to be. She is my magic, after all.
Chapter 15
Aspen
“You’re beautiful,” I tell my sister. I’m trying like hell not to cry and ruin my makeup. However, seeing her in her wedding dress, knowing that in less than ten minutes, she’ll marry the love of her life, it’s got me all up in my feels. While I know that we will forever be the Steele sisters, she’s also going to be a Riggins. I’m happy for her. She deserves nothing but the happiness that Grant and his family have brought into her life.
“Stop.” She fans her face with her hands, trying not to cry.
“Knock, knock.” Layla sticks her head in the door. “Aspen, we’re ready for you,” she tells us. “Oh, and your dad is here for you, Aurora.”
“Thanks, Lay.” She smiles. “Give us just a second.” Aurora opens her arms wide, and I step into her embrace. “I love you, Aspen. Thank you for being here with me.”
“I love you too. Now, it’s time to get this party started.” I pull away, dab at my eyes, and turn for the door. I give Dad a hug and make my way to the top of the stairs, taking my spot.
Grant has four brothers, and they’re all close. However, it’s just Aurora and me, and when she asked me to be her maid of honor, that made the choice easier for Grant. He wanted Royce and Owen to walk in with their wives. That left Marshall and Conrad. Marshall called dibs on Carter, saying that chicks dig a man with a baby. That was before he knew it was going to be a small, intimate wedding. That left Conrad and me as maid of honor and best man.
Five months ago, when this was all decided, I was good with it. I didn’t care who I walked in with. All I cared about was being here for my sister on her big day. Life, however, had other plans, and as I reach the end of the hall on shaking legs, I try like hell not to make eye contact with Conrad.