Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
I had thought Declan would have me go with him, but I was ultimately happy he didn’t. He had told me, “I need you here to watch over things, Bailey.”
It was a pivotal moment in our business relationship. It meant he had come to trust me within the Blackwood dynasty, and I was essential to his work. That truly said as much to me as the developing personal relationship we were working on.
“When I come back,” Declan promises, pressing his lips to my forehead, “we’re not going to leave the bedroom for three solid days. I’m just going to put in your vacation request now with human resources.”
“Just three days?” I tease, my heart pattering over his desire to be with me. It’s a mutual feeling.
“Maybe four days,” he concedes before kissing me. Another gentle melding of our mouths causes a swirling of emotion beneath my breastbone. “Happy Thanksgiving, Bailey.”
“Happy Thanksgiving,” I whisper back.
He rolls slowly to his side, his arms still tight around me, and I roll with him. I feel so replete, and I can’t think of one thing in the world I would want more than this moment.
I press my face into the side of his neck, feathering a kiss there. He squeezes me, and we lay for a long time just holding each other.
My eyes start drooping, and I vaguely feel him pull the covers over us. I snuggle in tighter. Before I drift off to sleep, I admit to myself I am indeed falling hard for this man.
CHAPTER 25
Declan
Despite Chicago being my hometown, I’ve never had a sense of homecoming when I return. I don’t need a psychologist to analyze that for me. I’ve never developed any type of bonds within the city that would make me nostalgic. Over the last couple of weeks, as I have gotten to know Bailey and have talked about my family more, it has brought about a sharp contrast on how very different my life is from most people’s.
I always knew that, of course. But I had often put that in the context of me being a part of the elite wealthy while others aren’t. Merely spending Thanksgiving with Bailey, her parents, and Leonie made me realize it’s not about money.
It’s about relationships.
As I sit in the waiting room of my father’s executive offices in the Blackwood building, it’s telling how much I already miss Bailey. I’m a man who often travels for his work, and it has never been an issue for me. But from the moment I left Vegas, I started counting down the hours until I could get back to her.
If that doesn’t prove I’m falling hard for this woman, I don’t know what will.
Today’s meeting with my father is to go over the San Francisco project. We are in mutual agreement that this is the best location for the next Blackwood resort. Today, we will go over the strategic plan I have developed. I will let him fill me with his infinite wisdom that he still thinks I need despite this being my sixth project.
But I get it. One day, the man is going to turn over the reins of this empire to me. He loves the Blackwood dynasty more than he loves anything. Marissa and I aren’t really his children. His hotel chain is. I cannot fault the man for wanting to make sure his legacy will continue.
Of course, the legacy is important to me as well. I’ve devoted my entire adult life to it. I’ve been groomed to sit upon the throne, so to speak. It has been the driving force in my life, and all personal decisions I have ever made have revolved around what is best for the Blackwood name.
Another reason I know Bailey is probably the one woman I would take a risk for is I am not in any way looking forward to moving to San Francisco. The thought of leaving her behind is causing quite the conundrum of feelings within me, and I need to do something to reconcile it.
Last night, as we were lying in bed and on the verge of drifting to sleep, I had asked Bailey a question that caused her to bolt upward out of my embrace.
“Would you ever consider leaving Vegas?”
I had yet to turn off the bedside lamp. Her face was aglow with an incredulous expression. “Are you asking me to come to San Francisco with you when you move?” she had asked hesitantly.
For a moment, I had felt foolish for even asking. Our relationship was too new. “I guess. I don’t really know. I know it’s a huge commitment to even ask, yet I am curious as to what you would say.”
Bailey had sunk back down into her pillow, studying me as she pondered it. “I’d have to think about it. My parents are obviously a big factor, but I suppose there are workarounds.”