Secrets and the Bride Read Online Alexa Riley

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Insta-Love, Romance, Virgin Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
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“I think my parents are planning on throwing me a surprise party this weekend if you’d like to come see it. I don’t have baby goats, but I do have baby chicks and a miniature cow named Stella.”

“Oh my gosh, I have so many questions.” She stops walking and turns to face me. “You have a miniature cow?”

I nod and feel the edges of my lip turn up in a half-smile. Damn, it’s been a long time since I’ve done that.

“And how do you know your parents are throwing you a surprise party? Is it your birthday?”

“Yes, and they’re terrible at keeping secrets. They get so excited things slip.” I pause for a second and try to think of other ways to entice her to come. “There’s also a lake and a guest cottage.”

“That sounds so lovely.”

“If you, I mean, your family would like to come for the weekend, you’re more than welcome.” I clear my throat and look down at my feet as they keep pace with her shorter strides.

“I’ll talk to my parents and see what they say.” Some of the sunshine has left her voice, and I hate to think it’s because of them. Or because she’s considering spending the weekend at my place.

“My family is staying, so it wouldn’t be only you. And you’d have the whole guest cottage to yourself.” I clear my throat and try to backtrack. “It was just a thought. Forget I said anything.”

“It’s so nice of you to invite me. I’ll just need to get permission.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest. “You know how these things go.”

“I would think it would be an easy decision considering we’re family now.” I chance a look over at her and see her eyes widen and her smile grow.

“You’re exactly right. That’s just what I’ll tell them.”

The way she’s blushing reminds me of the night we danced together at the benefit. I had a mask on, and for one beautiful night I was free to talk to Glenda, to hold her in my arms and twirl her around the dance floor like the princess she is. That one night is locked tight inside my heart for eternity, and no matter what happens for the rest of my life, that memory will live within me.

Seeing her at the wedding today was a reminder of all that I want, and all that I can’t have. Her father would refuse an offer of marriage to me no matter how much I offered because I know exactly what he would say. I know, because I overheard him after my accident telling his wife that I was damaged goods. And that I’d be lucky to find a woman that could stand the sight of me.

Even all this time later, the words that I wasn’t meant to hear still sting. I know I’m not good enough for Glenda, but now that our families are joined, maybe I can just be around her more and spend time in her presence. It’s selfish to think that she could ever look at me and see more than my scars, but I’ve loved her since I knew what love was, and I can’t give up on her. Not now, not ever.

“This is me.” We stop in front of her gate, and I look down at her, trying to keep my face in the shadows.

“Let me see your phone.” I hold out my hand, and to my surprise she hands it over without hesitating. I program in my number and send myself a text before handing it back. “Let me know about this weekend, and I’ll have the staff open the house for you.”

“I will.” She holds the phone close to her chest and bounces on her toes a little before she goes through the gate. “Good night, Cillian.”

I stand there for a long time after I watch her walk inside and close the door behind her. All I can hear is her voice saying my name, and I want it tattooed on the inside of my soul. One way or another, I have to convince Glenda that I’m good enough to belong to her.

Chapter Three

Glenda

I slept terribly. It’s been a long time since I had nightmares, but every time I would start to doze off, one would start to creep up, and I’d jerk myself awake. It’s the stress of the unknown lurking around me, and it’s starting to feel like my days are numbered. I kick my blankets away because I’m not going back to bed even though I’m exhausted.

There was one silver lining through the night, though. When I would think about Cillian, everything else would be forgotten for those brief moments.

Reaching for my phone on my nightstand, I pull it off the charger and power it on. I’d turned it off after the tenth time I almost texted Cillian. I figured if I powered it off then I would have time to come to my senses if I tried to turn it on and text him in the middle of the night. The last thing I wanted to do was come off needy. You can’t text someone minutes after they give you their number. Can you? I’m not sure what the rules are since I’m not allowed to date.


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