Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“Did she just call Chance stupid using multi-syllable words?” Kyle whispers, looking around at his family like he’s not sure, despite being completely certain that is exactly what Kayla did. He just wanted to point that out. I’m liking him more and more.
Kayla places one hand on my thigh and her other on Maddox’s. “You’ve said your piece and I’ve said mine. Get on board or get out of my way.”
Kayla sits proudly between us, the queen of our hearts and the powerhouse in a room filled with swinging dicks. She’s the woman you go to war with, not against, and seeing her strength up close and personal is like witnessing a miracle firsthand.
Fuck, I love her. And I am so damn proud of her.
Most of all, I feel really fortunate to be the man at her side, loving her in front of the people she’s gutted herself for, time and time again. She said that to them, she’s a resource. Well, it’s time for that to come to an end. It’s her turn to be taken care of, worshiped, and loved. To us, she’s everything, and I’ll see to it that she’s never taken for granted again by anyone. Especially her brothers.
Chance seems shocked at Kayla’s declaration. They’ve always been close, like best friends within the siblings, and I know this rift between them hurts her. But it’s up to him to accept us or not. We’re not going to change who we are for him, and Kayla wouldn’t change for anyone or anything. She shouldn’t have to.
Cole puts his hands over baby Emmett’s ears and hisses at Chance, “She doesn’t give a one fuck, two fuck, red fuck, blue fuck what you think about this, so let it go. You’re the bad guy here, on an island by your damn self. That should tell you something, considering the company.” He releases the baby’s ears, running a finger over each one like he’s checking that the gentle covering might’ve hurt the baby. Janey grins at him like he’s the cutest, sweetest thing she’s ever seen. Cole, I mean, not the baby, who is also cute and probably sweet.
Samantha is having a conversation with her husband that consists of eye twitches and twists of her lips while he looks completely confused about how he became the villain in our story.
“I just don’t understand,” he argues weakly.
Kayla huffs out in annoyance, but Samantha is the one who answers him. “It’s not for you to understand. It may look different from the norm—whatever that is—or what you’ve been taught to expect, but that doesn’t mean it’s not what Kayla wants. And when you are truly ready to understand and not judge, then it’s their choice on whether they want to educate you or not.” She pauses to let that sink in, then hits him even harder. “Do you understand Cole?”
Chance glances at his brother and shakes his head. Instead of being offended, Cole gives him an evil smirk, and I finally see the monster Kayla talks about as he somehow moves even closer to Janey, who is already nearly plastered against his side.
“Or any of your brothers, for that matter? Do you think they understand us?” Chance looks at Samantha meaningfully, and I wonder what happens behind their closed doors. What secrets is Mr. Boy Scout hiding? “Our relationship is personal and unique, the same as each of theirs.”
“Sounds complicated.”
Samantha is obviously losing patience and her voice takes on a teacher-like tone as she explains, “It’s like when we use a toy—two penises, multiple holes, all pleasurable when utilized safely and correctly.” Samantha glances at Kayla apologetically. “Not that I’m assuming your activities one way or another.”
“Samantha!” Chance hisses.
Why the hell is he so damn distressed at his sex life being the topic of conversation when ours is all he wants to talk about?
“What?” she answers, nonplussed by his dramatics. “You’re the only one making this about sex. Look at them. Look at Kayla. Do you see how happy she is? How could that be wrong?”
His fight is fading, and when he looks at Kayla again, she doesn’t flinch, staring right back at the brother she’s been through so much with.
“This is what I want. I’m lucky they went through the trouble to find me again.”
Maddox and I have been silently watching their family battle play out, supporting but not interfering, but at that, we both chuckle. “It was no trouble,” Maddox argues. “Trouble would’ve been living with this guy, all mopey and heartbroken for a love story that ended before it could even start.” He points at me. “He was a mess without you, nearly killed us both benching too much weight.”
Not appreciating the callout, I shrug. “I knew we were meant to be more.” When Kayla looks at me doubtfully, I admit, “Okay, I hoped.”