Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I take two deep breaths before squaring my shoulders at him. My brother gazes back, looking almost impassive like this conversation doesn’t matter to him.
“Fallon isn’t a traitor. She made a mistake. When she came here, she was desperate, angry, and mourning the loss of her father, and we can both understand how that feels.”
“I wouldn’t call what I did mourning our late, dear father, but I get your point.”
“Then I can understand it at least. I’m still mourning Jackson and all the men I lost in the fight. She lashed out and made a mistake, and now she’s paying for it, but I will not have you talking about my wife the way you just did. She didn’t seduce. She isn’t a danger. She’s mine.”
The moment thickens between us. Adler stares at me, and I stare back. There’s a knife’s edge, and I can tell he’s not sure which way he wants to topple.
“I could send her back,” he says softly. “Just to be safe. You’d hate me, but I’d be sure the family was safe.”
“You can send her, but I’d go too.”
He nods, not surprised. “Casey thinks I’m being too hard on her.”
“If Fallon had tried to use those documents against us, I’d be right there with you. If she hadn’t tried to get rid of them, I’d understand how you feel. But she’s done nothing but apologize and try to prove that she’s not who you think she is.”
“And you believe her.”
“More than that. I love her.”
He runs a hand through his hair and flips over a coaster. It rattles, and he flips it again, thinking. “I need time. I want to speak with her brother, too.”
“What will that accomplish?”
“I can’t say, but for now, she’s your responsibility.”
“You want me to babysit my wife.”
“I want you to guard her. And protect her. There are still bad men out there, remember?”
My expression darkens. “I remember.”
“Good. Then you have your orders, soldier. You’re on wife duty.” He gets up and squeezes my shoulder. “I know this is hard, but I’m doing what’s best for the family.”
I want to ask him, what family? But he’s already walking away, rejoining his children and his wife, and I’m left to stew. Fallon comes over and tentatively kisses my cheek. I pull her in and press my lips to hers, holding her there, tasting her, feeling her body on mine.
“I take it that went well,” she says, smiling a bit. “He doesn’t trust me yet?”
“Not yet, but he will.”
“Where’s that leave us?”
I pull her into my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck, biting her pouty lower lip.
“It leaves us together. If that’s what you want.”
“Jayson—”
“I love you, Fallon. Neither of us wanted this marriage at first, but it grew into something right, and now I won’t give it up. Not for anything. But I need to know you want it too.”
“I want it,” she whispers.
“Even after the way I acted?”
“I don’t really blame you for that. Besides, my captivity wasn’t all that uncomfortable.”
“Still.” I lean in, smelling her, breathing her in. “I should’ve listened from the start.”
“Probably.” She grins at me. “But you’re a stubborn asshole.”
“Pot calling the kettle black.”
“Hey, how dare you. I’m a lady.”
I grunt and kiss her neck. “Lady? I don’t think so. A lady wouldn’t let me do so many filthy things to her.”
Fallon’s chin tilts up and she gives me an aristocratic stare. “Even ladies have needs. Gentlemen would understand that.”
“I’m not a gentleman. I’m a rough, brash, violent American brute. And you like it.” I pull her tighter and squeeze her ass.
She laughs, batting me away, and gets out of my lap. “Yes, I do like it, but there are children around. Control yourself.”
“I’ve gone too long without you. I’m sick and tired of control.” I lace my fingers through her hair. “Unless you want me to control you.”
“Filthy man.” She purrs the words and kisses me.
“Filthy, filthy girl.” I bite her lip and pick her up. “We’re going back to my room.”
“Right now?” She blinks at me. “I thought I was talking to Adler too.”
“We’ll do that later. I need to fuck you, baby.”
Her ears turn pink. “Keep it down, would you? And stop carrying me, people are staring.”
“You think I give a fuck who sees me take my wife?” I kiss her hard, crushing her against me, and muscle her up over my shoulder, slapping her ass hard. An old dude nearby laughs and raises his cane in a salute. I give him a thumbs-up as I carry my wife to the elevators.
“You’re an animal, Jayson!” Fallon says, laughing as she hits my back. “Put me down!”
“Not until you’re in my bed, baby.”
I keep my promise. I carry her all the way to the condo, into our room, and only put her down on the bed, her legs spread, her clothes peeled off, her body sweating and writhing under mine. I give myself to her, suck her nipples as I fuck her pussy with my fingers, make her come over and over, spend myself between her legs, and even then I still need more, like every second we spent apart magnified itself ten-fold, and now I’m in a horrible debt trying to make up for lost time.