Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
It’s much later by the time Beckett and I are alone again. When we returned to the hotel, we changed clothes and met with everyone in my parents’ suite for food and champagne. We laughed and talked, and I was reminded once more just how much I enjoy having my family around me.
My whole family, whether they be a Gallagher or a Blackwell.
I love them all.
But now, Beckett and I are alone in our suite. We’ve had a shower, and he’s just finishing with removing my makeup.
I’m a spoiled woman.
And I love it.
“That feels so much better,” I murmur after he finishes rubbing the moisturizer into my skin. “I don’t think I’ll wear makeup for a while after this. I don’t like it.”
“You don’t need it.” He kisses my nose, then leans his hands on the counter on either side of my hips. His face is suddenly so serious, it makes me nervous. “We need to talk, Irish.”
“All right, then talking is what we’ll do. Let’s go sit in the living room.”
For a moment, I don’t think he’s going to move, but he kisses my forehead and steps back, giving me space to hop off the vanity. With my hand in his, we move into the living room, but he doesn’t pull me onto his lap.
And that makes my heart kick up a notch and not in a good way.
Beckett sits next to me and turns on the cushion with one knee bent to face me. I mirror the pose, resting my hands on his thighs, and it helps my anxiety a bit when he takes one of my hands in his.
“I’ve been thinking…” He frowns as he looks down at our hands. “Watching you tonight was fucking incredible. I knew you were talented and had a successful career before I met you, but I have to tell you that seeing you on that stage with Mik was—” He shakes his head and looks blankly across the room as if he’s searching for the right words.
I have to take a deep breath to calm myself down.
“It was spectacular,” he continues, smiling softly. “And I think that it occurred to me for the first time just how much you deserve to be on that stage with Mik all the time.”
“Whoa.” I hold up a hand, stopping him before I have a stroke. “Beckett, are you breaking up with me?”
His eyes widen, and he immediately tugs me onto his lap, wraps his arms around me, and buries his face in my neck.
“Fuck no. Jesus, not in this or any other lifetime.”
A tear runs unchecked down my cheek. “You scared me.”
“No, baby.” He leans back and brushes the tear from my face. “I’m so sorry. I should have led with that.”
I sniff and brush another tear away. Now that the floodgates have opened, it’s hard to close them up again because the thought of him ending this is just … no.
“You’re mine.” He cups my cheek, staring deeply into my eyes. “Do you understand me?”
I nod and bite my lip. “Okay. Now that that’s settled, what were you trying to say?”
“Fuck, hold on.” He hugs me again and drags his hand up and down my back. “I need a second because just hearing you say those words fucked me up.”
“I’m sorry, I—”
“No. No apologies. That’s on me.” He kisses my cheek, then my lips. “I just think that you should dance, baby. Now that The Asshole is gone, and you don’t have to be afraid anymore, you should be free to dance. I’ll commute to New York for the next few years. And you’ll come to me when you’re between projects. Your chickens will miss you, but we’ll figure it out.”
I’m already shaking my head, but he keeps talking.
“I want you to have everything you want. I’m so proud of you, Irish. And I know Mik misses you. You’re too young to retire. We’ll work it out.”
“No.” I take his face in my hands, loving how his whiskers feel against my palms. “No, a ghrá. My life is in Montana at the Double B Ranch. I have chickens to take care of. They’re my responsibility. You said so yourself, and I can’t just abandon them.”
He starts to speak, but I press my hand over his lips, and he narrows his eyes at me.
“I love our home. Our mountains. We’re turning your cabins into a special retreat for sick kids.”
He kisses my fingers, then takes my hand away from his lips. “I can still do that, baby.”
“Not without me, Beckett Blackwell.” I frown at him, shaking my head. “I want to be a part of it. I love my studio and my students, and I want to add yoga classes, too. I love Bitterroot Valley. It’s my community. People smile at me and know me when I walk down the street. Jackie knows I want a huckleberry scone when I walk into The Sugar Studio. Millie knows my coffee order.”