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)
I shove my hand through my hair and take a deep breath, enjoying the scent of pine and wildflowers hanging in the air. “I’ve never known anyone like Billie Blackwell, and that’s the truth. Yes, she’s stubborn. So bloody stubborn.”
He smirks at that and claps me on the shoulder.
“The best ones always are, son.”
“But she’s also sweet and kind. Smart as hell. Knows her mind when it comes to business, and it’s proud I am that she’s made such a success out of her bookshop.”
“And do you love her?”
My jaw firm, I stop walking and turn to face him.
“Listen,” he says as he rubs his hand over his mouth. “I don’t really care about the age thing. You’re both adults. I don’t give two shits about your money. Our family does fine, and Billie’s doing her own thing, like you said. But my girl is softer than she lets on to anyone. She’s strong and determined, and doesn’t show weakness often, but she’s a softhearted person, so if she’s just a good time for now until you find someone else who catches your attention, well, I’m going to tell you here and now that I’m not okay with that. I don’t care what your last name is.”
I see where his sons get their integrity. It also affirms my respect for this man and how he’s raised his family.
“No, she’s not a distraction or a good time for now. Christ.” I push my hand through my hair again. “It’s not that I have an issue admitting how I feel about your daughter, but I haven’t even told her yet, and I think, out of respect for her and our relationship, I’d like to have that conversation with Billie first.”
He narrows his eyes on me and nods, looking down at the ground. “That’s fair. And it tells me everything I need to know. Now, we’d better go make sure they’re not overcooking those burgers. Blake’s amazing in the kitchen, but he’s not great at the grill. Although I’ll deny I said that if you ever tell him.”
My phone rings, and Brandon nods.
“You take that. I’ll see you over there.”
He wanders over to the house, and I answer the call.
“Christ Jesus, it’s Sunday. Don’t you ever take a bloody day off?”
Ronan scoffs in my ear. “I take as many days off as you do, boyo. We need you in New York late this week. There’s a meeting regarding the new boutique hotel in Manhattan, and I’d feel better about it if you were there.”
I start to argue but then pause.
I’m planning a trip with my angel anyway. I’ll extend it and show her New York. Take her shopping and to a show.
Because I’m not going anywhere without her.
“Aye, okay. I can do that. Send me the details.”
I end the call and walk to the house, finding all of the brothers, plus Holden and Brandon, on the deck, hovering around the barbecue the way American men seem to do. But in the middle of them is my angel, holding a beer and laughing with them.
“How’s business?” Brandon asks her, and everyone turns their attention to her. They’re truly interested, not simply humoring her, and I love the way Billie squares her shoulders at the question, like the boss she is.
Good fucking girl.
“It’s really great,” she says. “I just promoted Emily to general manager of the store, with Tiffany the assistant manager, and I hired four new employees, one of whom is going to kill it with our online sales.”
Good. This means she’ll be able to leave for a little while and not worry about the business running fine without her.
“I’ve started working with publishers and PR companies on in-store signings, and I’d love to find some graphic designers to start offering special editions that readers can only get from our store. Incorporate it into our monthly book club, and then I could eventually include an online book club.”
She’s so bloody smart. Billie turns me on in every way, always. But when she’s in boss mode, she slays me. Intellectually. Physically. She’s lucky she’s surrounded by her brothers at a family event right now, or I wouldn’t be keeping my hands to myself.
Today, she’s in those jeans that show off her sexy arse, and a tank top, showcasing her strong shoulders. Her hair is up in a thick ponytail, just begging for me to wrap it in my fist. Her makeup is simple and flawless despite being out all day with the horses.
And now she’s talking business, and I’ve never wanted her more.
Her father asked me if I loved her. Fuck, yes, I love every inch of her. Every bit of her. I can’t breathe unless I’m with her, and I’m never letting her go.
I just have to find the right time to tell her because there are still moments when I swear she’s nervous or holding back on me.