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)
Kay was me, but also… not. She’s simpler, easier, lighter, less bogged down in schedules and routine, and not nearly as Type A as I am. She doesn’t spend her days and nights focused on ticking to-do items off her lists, caring about others, and planning for the future. She’s a ‘live in the moment’ sort, and I’d enjoyed doing just that.
I’d been careful to not reveal too much of my family history, even though we’d talked about how being the only girl in a family full of brothers made life hard sometimes, and how I’m dedicated to my work. They’d understood, saying they have to work hard too, though they’d sidestepped any discussion of what they actually do, and I’d respected that, wanting the same.
Still, in the hours of chit chat, I felt like I got a good sense of who they are, individually and together. Riggs is serious and quiet, and when he deems something worthy enough to express, it’s assuredly from a deep, dark well of thought. Maddox is more light-hearted and fun, the sort to chase adventures and experiences, of which I was assured I was with a comically animated wink. And their friendship felt nuanced and real, even though their shit-talking reminded me of my brothers at times—love expressed through insults.
The ability to be myself was freeing too. Usually, I’m The BITCH—Boss In Total Control of Herself, and honestly, everything else too. I fill in the gap of my parents with my brothers, manage countless contracts at work, and rarely have a moment to myself to just… be. I didn’t even know the desire was there, but a chance to be wild, carefree, and reckless had felt so good, and one anonymous night had felt like the right time to embrace those things, like the greatest opportunity for self-care I’ve ever had—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It was like we were living in this perfect little bubble where life was fun.
But now, the bubble has popped and I need to leave.
Unable to get out on either side, I scoot down the bed, climbing out that way. I slip my clothes on, holding my heels in my hand, and look back at the two men who are snoring lightly. A part of me wants to climb right back into the bed, curl up with them, and see if they want to have breakfast together before going our separate ways.
But it’ll only delay the inevitable. I have a life to get back to, one where Ian McCormick is going to realize his mistake and call for another chance at the contract with Blue Lake, one where my sisters-in-law are waiting for me to come home for Girls’ Night In at Samantha’s, one where I have responsibilities to fulfill and expectations to exceed.
Still, I pause. Seeing a notepad on the desk, I scribble a quick note.
Thank you.—K.
I stare at it for a moment, knowing it feels too cold. It’s like something I’d leave for my assistant after she made hard-to-get dinner reservations for me. Deciding quickly, I reach into my bag and coat my lips in red lipstick before pressing them to the paper twice, leaving a print for each man. It’s not nearly enough, but it’ll have to do.
I lay it on the nightstand and silently slip out the door. Once in the hall, I put my heels on and stride to the elevator. Head held high and back straight, I walk through the lobby and out into the sunshine of the cool spring morning.
“May I help you get a car, ma’am?” the valet asks, his face professionally stoic and showing no sign of judgment over my walk of shame. Not that I’m feeling any. I don’t do the walk of shame. I strut. I feel sore in the best possible way and freer than I’ve ever felt.
“Yes.”
A moment later, I’m being whisked back to my hotel, where I’ll gather my things and go back to my life. Alone.
RIGGS
Two Months Later
“Son of a bitch!” I grunt, finishing my third set of bench presses and letting the bar crash back into the hooks on the power rack in our home gym.
Yes, ours. As in mine and Maddox’s. And yes, our teammates give us hell over how weird it is that we bought a house together, but like with everything else, we usually tell them to fuck off and mind their own business unless they want us all up in theirs. Totally said in love, since we do like the guys on the Devils. Well, Maddox does. I like them as well as I do anyone else, which is to say, I tolerate them and their shit-stirring because we do what works for us, in every way, no matter what anyone else thinks or says. And it’s not as though our house isn’t big enough for the two of us with over ten thousand square feet, including two suites on opposite ends, a home gym, a media theater, a practice rink made of synthetic ice-like panels in a detached barn, and a large kitchen we don’t use enough. Hell, the house I grew up in with five people (my parents, two sisters, and me) would nearly fit in my suite alone.