Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“I love you,” she says against my lips. “So much. And I sounded like an ungrateful bitch earlier, and I’m not ungrateful.”
“Call yourself a bitch again and see what happens.”
“You know what I mean. I am so thankful for everything from that ginormous cat tree for Cally to the blankets, to the soothing hair brushing, to the orgasms, to—”
“I get it.”
“I love all of it. The big things?” She pushes my sweaty hair back off my forehead. “They’re fun, and feel fancy. Like the dresses and the studio. Hiring people to take care of my fucked-up house. Those are huge. But it’s the little things that made me fall in love with you. Even just the way you look at me, like you are right now.”
“And how is that, beautiful?”
She drags her fingertips down my cheek. “Like I’m the best thing you’ve ever seen. Maybe better than the Stanley Cup.”
“You’re everything.” I swallow hard and keep my gaze on hers, needing her to hear every word. “You’re my world. I want to give you all the things, big and small. Mostly big.”
I waggle my eyebrows and she laughs.
“Like, really big. And not at all nice. Nice isn’t even an option when you’re thinking about it.”
“Big like your ego,” she says, squeezing my cheek playfully. “I love my studio. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m going to paint in there in the morning, before we work out.”
“I can’t wait to see what you come up with.” I nibble her lips. “You know what’s really sad?”
Her brows pull together in a frown. “What?”
“You just had a shower.”
“Yeah?”
“And I’m a mess. All sweaty and gross.” I lean in and wipe the sweat on her, making her groan and giggle at the same time. “And now you need another shower. With me this time.”
“Are you incapable of showering by yourself?”
“We’ll never have to find out.” I stand with her in my arms, and she scowls. “Yes, yes, my knee, blah blah blah.”
“You’re bad.”
“No, I’m very, very good. I’ll show you in the shower.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
IVY
The doorbell rings just as I get to the bottom of the stairs. I have no idea where Xander is. I got lost in painting in my studio this morning, and I haven’t seen him in a couple of hours. So, I head over to open the door and smile when I see Cassie standing on the other side.
“Hey, come on in! No one else is here yet.”
“Good. I’m going to get set up so y’all can graze all day.”
“You might be my new favorite person.”
Cassie smirks as she walks past me to the kitchen. I’ve known this woman for a long time, and I know that she’s a highly sought-after personal chef. Xander has started having me put in my own food orders alongside his.
It’s been a month since the gala in Denver and since my man surprised me with the studio.
To say I love my new workspace is a huge understatement. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t spend time in there. It’s the perfect spot.
And the fact that Xander thought to give it to me makes it all the more special.
“Also, I’ve been obsessed with the chicken salad with crackers you’ve been making me for lunch.”
“Oh good. I love that one too. I eat it all the time.”
She’s already bustling around in the kitchen, and as she makes a few trips out to her car to get more supplies, I go in search of my man.
He’s not in the gym, which is good because today is supposed to be his rest day. I climb the stairs and find him in the bedroom, pulling a black sweater over his head.
It’s definitely almost winter. It’s been cold as hell outside.
“Hey.” He grins and takes my hand, pulling me against him. “I didn’t want to interrupt genius time.”
Smirking, I loop my arms around his torso and tip my chin up for a kiss. “Cassie’s here and getting started in the kitchen. The others should be here soon.”
He nods and kisses me again. “My brothers are picking me up in a bit too,” he says and ghosts his knuckles down my cheek.
“Still going into Bitterroot Valley to watch some football at the Wolf Den?”
He nods. “Yeah. I haven’t seen the brothers in a few weeks, and Zack’s in town.”
“Fun.” My hand drifts up his chest, but he quickly catches it in his own and brings it up to his lips.
“Don’t start something now, Red. Or I’ll cancel the whole fucking day and keep you in our bed.”
“Right.” I shake my head, but his eyes narrow, and I know that all I’d have to do is say the word and he’d make good on his promise. “Your sister is excited for us to work on the wedding. We’re getting crafty today and sampling the dinner menu, thanks to Cassie being here. So we’re not canceling.”