Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“God, I missed you,” I whisper, clinging to my daddy as he wraps his arms around me, holding me in the bear hug that I’ve loved for as long as I can remember.
“I missed you too, baby girl.” He pulls back to brush the tears from my cheeks. “No more tears.”
I nod and move on to my mom, hugging her so tight, I’m afraid I might bruise her ribs.
“How?” I ask. “I thought you were busy in Florida.”
“We are,” she confirms. “So we’re only here for two days, but Connor assures us his plane is ready for us anytime, so we don’t have to go by the commercial flight schedule.”
I whirl, scanning the room for my man, then I rush to him, throw my arms around his neck, and hug him close.
The damn tears are back.
“You did this for me?”
“You cried, angel,” he reminds me, his hands moving up and down my back soothingly. “And that was unacceptable.”
God, I love this man.
Holy shit.
I’m in love with him.
This isn’t a crush.
It’s not simply incredible sex.
I’m in love with him.
Chaos reigns around us, but I frame his face in my hands and gently lay my lips over his, and suddenly, everyone has gone quiet.
“In case anyone hadn’t heard,” I say, not raising my voice and not tearing my gaze from Connor’s, “we’re a thing. I’m not taking suggestions or concerns about it at this time.”
Connor’s smile spreads, then he laughs as he kisses my forehead.
“We figured,” Mom says with a wink. “Now, really, what’s for dinner? We’re starving.”
“We’re grilling,” Birdie informs her. “I’m going to flip the burgers.”
“No,” Bridger says, shaking his head. “You’re not. It’s too hot for little girls.”
“I’m not little. I’m going to be a big sister, so I’m a big girl.”
Dead silence.
My gaze whips to Dani, who’s biting her lip and fighting tears.
“Do not play with my emotions,” I say, pointing at her, but she just smiles at me. Then I run to her and hug her harder than ever. “Really? A baby?”
“Yeah,” she says with a giggle as Skyla crashes into us in a group hug. “Next spring.”
There’s more chaos. More hugs.
I glance over in time to see Holden, with tears in his bright blue eyes, pull his sister in for a tight hug, holding her close. He whispers something in her ear, and it makes her break down, and now I’m a blubbering mess, too.
Goddamn emotions.
“Here, angel.” Connor’s suddenly right next to me, holding out a handkerchief.
“You’re so fancy,” I say through my tears as I dab at my eyes. “Wow, this is the best family dinner ever. I can’t believe you did this. Did you know that Dani and Bridger had this announcement, and that’s why you flew Mom and Dad in?”
“There’s not much in this life that I wouldn’t do for you. But, no.” He kisses my head, wrapping his arms around me as we watch the others hug and laugh. “That’s a happy coincidence.”
“The happiest.” I sigh and wink at Bridger when he finds my gaze. “He’s such a good daddy. I’m happy for them.”
“Do you want kids?” Connor asks me.
“Maybe. Probably.” I shrug and glance up at him. “You?”
“I didn’t think so.” He frowns, and his eyes scan the room, taking in this big, loud family surrounding us. “Now, maybe. Probably.”
My gaze finds his, and he skims his knuckles down my cheek. “Go love on your family, bumble. I’ll be right here.”
“You’re pretty great. I mean, I don’t want to feed your ego too much, but you’re pretty fucking great, Connor Gallagher.”
He chuckles as he loosens his hold on me and steps back. “Go on then.”
“I’ll show you my appreciation later.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Chapter Seventeen
CONNOR
“She’s a headstrong girl,” Brandon, Billie’s da, says as we walk down the driveway. He asked me to join him on a wee walk, and I knew something like this was coming.
Especially after the way my angel kissed me in front of her family and staked her claim. For so many years, I’ve hated when people have ostensibly staked their claim on me. It’s always been for an agenda or to propel the other person’s status.
Not this time.
Billie Blackwell showed her entire family that I’m hers. I honestly wasn’t sure she’d ever get to the same point that I’m at, so I’m floored. I love this gorgeous woman.
I also almost hauled her off to the closest bedroom so I could fucking devour her.
“She’s a woman, not a girl,” I reply, and Brandon nods slowly next to me. “I mean no disrespect when I say that, sir.”
“None taken,” he replies. “You’re right. She’s going to be twenty-eight soon. She’s not a girl. But she’s my girl. And even though I appreciate the fancy ride home and the chance to see my family, I’m still going to put you on the spot and ask you what you feel for her. It must be strong if you’re sending your jet off to pick up her folks.”