Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“She’s trying to make me a father,” Xander says when he sees me. “Also, you’re slow as fuck.”
“You should have been pulled over at least six times,” I reply and march right over to my girl, frame her face in my hands, and kiss the fuck out of her.
When I come up for air, she grins at me. “Don’t worry, I’m not flirting with your brother the hockey legend.”
Xander busts up laughing, and I narrow my eyes at her before leaning in to whisper in her ear. “That’s one orgasm you don’t get to have tonight, Duchess. I dare you to keep going.”
Her breath catches when I bite her earlobe, and then I step away to get started on making dinner.
“I want him to adopt a kitten,” she says after clearing her throat. “He needs one.”
“No,” Xander says. “I have enough responsibility, and I’m never home anyway.”
“But cats are very self-sufficient. I’m sure you know someone who could feed it while you’re gone.”
“No,” Xander says again. “Absolutely not. You won’t sway me on this, pretty girl.”
“No nicknames,” I say, my voice perfectly calm as I start chopping vegetables.
The room goes quiet.
“Wow.” Xander doesn’t sound like a cocky asshole right now. “This is serious.”
“Already told you that,” I reply and glance over to see Darby bite her lip. “Her name is Darby or D.”
“Understood,” Xander replies. “No, D, I don’t want a kitten.”
“They’re too young to be given away,” I add.
“But they’ll be old enough before we know it, and they need homes. I’ve made it my mission to find them excellent places to live.” She pauses. “Also, don’t look in the trash.”
“What’s in the trash?”
“Nothing.”
That must be where she tossed whatever burned. I don’t smell anything.
“How did you almost burn the house down while I was gone?”
Darby blows out a breath and her shoulders sag. “I tried to get fancy with a handheld blowtorch and things went sideways. So now I have to make cupcakes, which I can do in the cabin kitchen, since you’re making dinner in here.”
“I’m not using the oven,” I inform her. “Work your magic, Duchess.”
“Let’s go to Lucky’s for some pool and beers,” Easton suggests after dinner. Dad already went home with his girlfriend, and now it’s just the siblings here at the ranch. Even Harper’s husband, Blake, is with us, since he has a rare night off from the hospital.
“I feel like I’ve been at Lucky’s a lot lately,” Darby says with a laugh. “They’re going to think I have a problem. Although, I can’t drink tonight. I’m on call.”
“Same,” Blake says with a wink at my girl. Darby’s known Blake Blackwell and his family since she was a little girl. They’re practically family. “You and I can drive.”
“I can’t reach the wheel anymore, so I’m out on drinking and driving,” Harper says with a pout, and Blake kisses her lips. “But I can sit like a pro, so I’m in.”
“Let’s do it,” Ava agrees, and Xander’s already got his hoodie on, ready to go.
“I’ll head home,” Chad says, making Ava frown. “You should absolutely go, but I have to be in court first thing tomorrow, so I should go home and look over my case notes. Call me if you need a ride.”
I share a look with Xander, who rolls his eyes.
We take three vehicles, including my truck, since I also don’t plan to drink, and before long, we have a table secured in the back of the bar, with a round of drinks ordered, whether alcoholic or otherwise, and Xander breaks the balls on the pool table.
I don’t know that we’ve ever all gone out together like this. All the siblings with our significant others, and I have to say, it’s fucking fun.
“Hey, guys,” Ivy, the bartender says with a bright smile as she carries a loaded tray into our area and sets it on the table. She stops short when she sees Xander, and her pretty blue eyes widen.
“Well, hello,” Xander says, his gaze traveling from her long red hair, down her shapely little body and long legs, to her feet. “Thanks, beautiful.”
Ivy’s cheeks go bright red as she hands out the drinks, and then walks away.
“Dude, you know her,” Ava tells our brother as Easton laughs into his hand. “That’s Ivy.”
Xander frowns. “Who?”
“Ivy. She was in your class,” Ava replies.
“I don’t . . .” He’s still frowning, shaking his head. “I don’t remember her. She’s from here?”
“She told me she was born in this building,” Darby replies. “But maybe she looked different in school. Most of us did.”
I tug her against me, her back to my front, and loop my arm around her chest as we watch Xander and Easton play.
After a few rounds of pool, Darby glances up at me. “I’ll be right back.”
I kiss her cheek, and then she wanders over to the bathrooms, and when I look up, I see my whole family watching me.