Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
As I drink the whiskey that’s older than my grandfather, I let my plans run through my mind. This is all happening fast, and I don’t care if people think I’m crazy.
CHAPTER
SIX
HUNTER
Something is going on. Brendan asked me to dinner. At his apartment. All alone. And my uncle didn’t blink an eye. Either I’m dreaming or the world started spinning backward. Rosita came over earlier and handed me a dress bag. “Your young man had this delivered today,” she tells me.
Inside the bag, I find an adorable white sweater dress and wonder what is up with Brendan. Grabbing my phone, I send him a text.
Thank you for the dress. I love it.
Three little dots appear as I wait for his reply.
Please wear it for me.
How can I say no? He’s been giving me little gifts and spoiling me rotten since we met. I’m finishing up my makeup when there’s a knock at my door. Expecting Jason since no one else can get past my uncle’s gates, I’m shocked to find Brendan standing on the landing. “Good evening, little love.” He hands me a huge bouquet of flowers before leaning over to kiss my cheek. “I thought I’d come pick you up.”
My mouth opens and closes like a goldfish as he steps into my apartment. “Oh,” is all I manage to squeak past my shocked lips. Pulling myself together, I take a deep breath and go along with the crazy. “I’m almost ready.” I smile and take the flowers into the kitchen to find a vase.
“You’re gorgeous.” Spinning around, I find Brendan standing right behind me. “And all mine.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me before my blown mind catches up. This kiss goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. His hard body surrounds me as I breathe in his yummy scent. Oh, man. I’m in so much trouble here.
All too soon, he ends our kiss and lays his forehead against mine. “I needed that.” His warm breath brushes against my cheek, causing goosebumps to break out all over my body. I’m in so much trouble here.
“Thank you for the beautiful dress,” I tell him.
“You can thank me later.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I wonder if he’s getting tired of living by my uncle’s rules. Maybe Brendan is ready to throw caution to the wind and defy Uncle Marco. I wouldn’t complain.
He leads me to a brand-new black SUV parked in my uncle’s circular drive. “I like your new car.”
“It’s yours.” Brendan reaches across me and hooks my seatbelt.
“What?” I screech. Is this another man trying to run my life? I watch him run around the front of the vehicle and hop into the driver’s seat.
I’m about to blast him when he turns to me and reaches for my hand. “I love you, and I wouldn’t be able to survive if anything happened to you.” My anger melts away. “I need to know you’re driving a safe vehicle.”
Well, I can’t really argue with him. Brendan knows how to cut through all my defenses. “I have Jason watching me at all times,” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
“And now you have a safe vehicle to drive. So, no more public transportation,” Brendan growls. “I’ll spank your perfect ass red if I ever catch you on the goddamn bus again.” When he brings my hand to his lips and slides his tongue between my fingers, my indignation dies a quick death as desire fills my mind.
Brendan holds my hand while we walk down the hallway toward his apartment, and I realize I never did tell him how I feel. I’m hoping I’ll find the right time to tell him after dinner. I might be crazy, but I’m pretty sure I feel his hand tremble in mine when we stop outside his apartment door. What in the heck is going on? I wonder as he takes a deep breath and opens his door.
My mouth falls open when I see my uncle standing next to an older man. “I have something to ask you.” Brendan squeezes my hand and then shocks the hell out of me by dropping to his knees in front of me. My breath catches in my throat as I stare down at the massive diamond he’s holding. “I love you more than life itself. I know this is fast, but will you marry me?”
“Is that real?” My freaking mouth just took off without consulting my brain.
Brendan laughs a little and reaches for my hand. “Of course, it’s real.” He winks. “It means you belong to me.” My neanderthal wakes up and joins the fun.
“Are you going to wear one that means you belong to me, too?” I barely resist the urge to stomp my foot, but this is important.
“We’re in this relationship together,” Brendan promises me. “I’ll happily wear a ring that tells everyone I’m yours.” He points over at Uncle Marco and the older man. “Judge Martin is prepared to marry us if you’re on the same page as me.”