Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Jax smirks. “Probably because he just told the Big O he’s marrying his sister.”
My head snaps toward him. “How the hell did you figure that out?”
Jax shrugs like it’s nothing. “I have eyes and ears, duh.”
Steele’s assessing gaze flicks between Oliver and me. “That true?”
I straighten on my skates. “Yeah. It is.”
Oliver steps up beside me. “I’m good with it.”
Steele nods once. “Okay then. Congrats, man.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Appreciate it.”
As we head to our stalls, Oliver meets my eyes for a brief second before looking away. I give him a single nod, and somehow, that seals an understanding between us.
Whatever I have to do to protect and take care of his sister, I will.
35
Kia
For a place where I’m about to make a life-altering decision, the Cook County Courthouse feels absurdly ordinary. Gray marble floors. Fluorescent lights. The faint smell of paper and cleaner lingering in the air.
Our footsteps echo as we walk down the corridor.
Elody skips ahead, her dress swishing around her knees, shiny, black patent leather shoes tapping against the floor. She hums to herself, swinging the small bouquet she insisted on picking up from the flower shop.
I smooth my hands down the front of my dress for the third time in as many minutes. Rina surprised me when she brought it over the other day. It’s pale pink, soft, and simple. In other words, absolutely perfect. I didn’t even bother to argue. I just let her zip me into it while my hands shook.
More than twenty-four hours later, they’re still shaking.
This isn’t how I pictured getting married. There isn’t a white gown, aisle, or music swelling in the background. Just an ordinary dress, paperwork tucked under Laiken’s arm, and the knowledge I’m stepping into something that started out as a solution and already feels like so much more.
I glance sideways at the man I’m about to marry. He’s wearing a suit that’s charcoal gray, tailored, and fits him perfectly. The sight sends a fresh wave of desire through me, and my cheeks heat for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with waking up with his face buried between my thighs this morning.
I can’t shake the memory of how he took his time, treating my pleasure like it was something to savor, something worth lingering over, as though it truly mattered.
As if I mattered.
Like what I felt was just as important, maybe even more so, than what he wanted for himself.
The realization leaves me unsteady, because it’s not just rare, it’s foreign to me. I’ve never met a man like him. His selflessness and generosity continue to throw me off balance at every turn.
With a swallow, I force my gaze forward before he can catch me staring.
But I’m too late.
This man notices everything. He reaches for my hand, his thumb sweeping over my knuckles. When I glance up, I find him watching me.
“Are you all right?” he asks quietly.
I nod, even though my heart feels like it might beat its way right out of my chest.
He leans closer. “Your cheeks are flushed. I’m curious as to what you’re thinking about.”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “It’s cold out.”
One dark brow lifts as he continues to stare. It feels like he can see straight through the lie.
“Are you sure it doesn’t have anything to do with this morning?”
Heat floods my face, and the second I bite my bottom lip, his gaze dips to it.
I get the feeling he’s remembering too, replaying it in his head the same way I am.
His mouth curves, the smallest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips as he leans in close enough for his breath to feather against my ear. “I’ve been thinking about it too,” he murmurs. “And I promise… there’ll be a lot more of that, if you enjoy it so much.”
My breath catches as my body reacts instantly.
And the worst part?
He knows it.
A few steps later, we reach the courtroom. Laiken opens the door and I step inside. Oliver and Rina are already there waiting for us. My brother looks handsome in a navy suit without a tie, his hair slightly damp, as if he rushed to get here on time. Rina glows beside him in a green wrap dress, her eyes bright with excitement.
A fresh wave of tension crashes over me as I meet Oliver’s gaze.
“Hey, kid,” he says. “You look stunning.”
Tears prick my eyes as I cross the room and throw my arms around him. “Thank you for being here.”
He squeezes me tight. “Like I’d miss your wedding day. What kind of brother would that make me?”
I pull back just enough to meet his gaze. “You’ve always been there when I needed you, and I don’t say it enough, but… thank you.”
He flashes a quick grin. “We’re Van Dorens. Showing up for one another is what we do.”