Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77611 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Jake speaks first, his smile crinkling his eyes. He’s incredibly handsome, though he doesn’t look that much like the rest of the Finns. “Hey, Bex’s friend the singing, and apparently dancing, teacher. I like your moves. I’m Jake and this is Bellamy.”
“I’m Win, and I’ve heard a lot about you, Jake. All good things, including the fact that you’re smart enough to consider taking over the world.”
“That’s not on the schedule for a few more years,” he jokes. “Is my uncle around?”
I see Bellamy’s barely noticeable flinch and frown at him. “He’s upstairs getting dressed.”
Bellamy offers me a tight grin. “I heard you had a rough time of it. I imagine you’re ready to head back right away, but if it’s okay, I need to talk to Michael for a few minutes before we go.”
I steel myself and glance over at Jake. “I made breakfast. A leftover scramble. Why don’t you go inside and visit with the dogs while I talk to your dad for a minute, then I can make you a plate.”
Jake lifts his eyebrows curiously, but nods and disappears into the cabin.
Bellamy pats his arms with his glove-covered hands. A little dramatically, if you ask me. “You don’t want to have this talk in the cabin? It’s not that far by snowmobile, but it’s still damn cold out here. This kind of weather can’t be good for your voice either,” he wheedles.
It’s none of your business, Win. You and Michael aren’t even dating. Stay out of it.
I know that. And yet I don’t want Bellamy coming in and busting through my perfect daydream with his weird flinches and tight smiles. “Your brother saved my life and has been taking care of me all weekend.”
He meets my gaze. “I heard.”
“He’s also making the dessert for the party at your children’s request, and showing up for a crowd of people he doesn’t know because your husband asked him to. And unlike the two of us, he isn’t that comfortable in crowds.”
A hard and somewhat obstinate expression crosses Bellamy’s face. “You know that after less than two days with him?”
“I know him better than you do.”
“If that’s true, it’s on him, not me.”
“Please. Believe it or not, I’ve actually been talking you up to your brother so he’ll give you a chance after his bad experience with the rest of your family. But I know all about how charming and determined you can be when you want to be in someone’s life, Bellamy Demir. Half the city knows. And you should want to be in Michael’s because, although he might be prickly at first, he’s also wonderful and worth knowing. That’s all I wanted to say. Now come in, warm up and have some food.”
He looks gratifyingly startled when I turn to go back inside. I’m glad I went a little overboard with scramble since I thought Connor was coming. I now have three men to feed and a tense family breakfast to get through.
Reality has arrived.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MICHAEL
There’s a heaviness in my chest as I finish dressing and sit down on the side of the bed to pull on my socks. I lingered in the shower longer than strictly necessary because I wasn’t ready for the day to begin, but there’s only so long I can hold it at bay. The slice of sky I can see through the bedroom window is a bright, clear blue. The sun is shining. And I need to turn on my phone to find out who’s coming to take Win away from me, and when.
I’m not ready.
The last few days have been a gift. Being around a man who relishes moments the same way he devours my desserts has been refreshing. He makes me feel alive in a way I’ve never experienced. Makes me laugh. Makes me want things I never thought I would.
He’s also stubborn, slow to trust and has a difficult time accepting help. But every time Win shared a piece of himself over the last few days, the explanation of why became a little clearer.
Compared to what he’s experienced, my life of guilt-soaked luxury was a picnic. I never wanted for anything but approval and the freedom to make my own choices. I lived in a gilded cage that was never actually locked, and was raised by a mother who loved me enough to take all the ridicule that came her way because of me.
When I got out of the shower and heard the music downstairs, I got a flash of what my life could be if Win was in it. Music in the morning. Laughter and passion every night.
The beauty of the image ripped the breath from my lungs.
I know he feels something for me, but it’s still so new, and Ken is right; I’m not sure where I’m going to end up at the moment. Before I met Win, this was the last place I would have considered settling down. Living so close to my brother and the life he’s built for himself felt presumptuous. Particularly since we kept rubbing each other the wrong way.