Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“You okay, Mad?” I ask between giggles.
Roman slips his hand up the back of my sweatshirt and traces his fingers down my spine. I try like hell to pretend he’s not touching me, but it’s difficult.
“Too big for this fucking thing,” Maddox grumbles.
“You want to come over here, and join our Monroe sandwich?” Lachlan asks.
“Hey,” Monroe protests in her sleepy voice. Then we hear a grunt, and I’m sure she’s either whacked him on the back of the head or dropped an elbow.
“Just kidding, Roe, but you are comfortable,” Lachlan adds, trying to kiss up to her.
“Can you jokers not see I’m sleeping?” Forrest grumbles groggily.
We all laugh, and just like that, my solo time with Roman is gone. Slowly, we all sit up and stretch. Roman manages to touch me under the radar, his hand still on my thigh beneath the covers.
“Pie,” Monroe announces. “I’m gonna need me some pie. Em?”
“Let’s do it.” Roman squeezes my thigh and moves his hand, and I toss back the cover, and stand, pulling Monroe to her feet. Linking my arm through hers, I lead her to the kitchen. We break out the pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies that we made and serve up a piece of each for the guys. She and I do the same, but our pieces are a fraction of the size of theirs.
It takes us a few trips, but we serve the guys dessert. They all offer to help, but we wave them off. No sense in all of us being up and in the kitchen.
“Oh, God,” Maddox moans as he takes a bite. “You two made these?”
“Just like we do every year,” I remind him.
“Marry me.” He looks at me, then at Monroe. “The offer stands for both of you if I get pie like this more than just on holidays.”
I feel Roman stiffen at my side, and I bump my leg into his. Maddox isn’t being serious, but when I glance over at Roman, he’s glaring at his plate. “Nah, you’re not my type.”
Maddox scoffs. “What? Sexy, artistic, good in bed, stable career, owns his own home, isn’t your type?”
Everyone laughs, except for Roman. I don’t know what to say to that, because he described himself and every other man in the room, including mine. They’re all totally my type, but Roman is the only one I see that way. I start to panic, not sure how to get out of this when my bestie comes to my rescue.
“I’m mean, I’d take a go if you agree to be my sugar daddy,” she quips, and this time Roman joins in with the laughter.
“Well, you can be my sweet momma, you know, because of the pies,” Maddox tells her. “I think it’s only fair I’m your sugar daddy.” He winks at Monroe. “We could have some fun with that, Roe.”
“Meh, we better not.” She shoves an enormous piece of pie in her mouth.
“None of you asshats are marrying my sisters.”
Roman stiffens again, and I want to scream in frustration. This day has been perfect, and this silly banter is not going to ruin it.
“Technically, Monroe isn’t your sister,” Lachlan points out.
Forrest glares at Lachlan. “Same as.”
“Anyone want leftovers before I play Tetris to get them in the fridge?” I ask. I still have all three small slices of pie on my plate, but I’m desperate to change the subject.
“Is that a real question?” Roman asks.
I turn to look at him, and he gives me a soft smile. “Umm, yes?”
He tosses his head back in laughter. “Are you hungry?”
“Nope. I can’t even eat this.” I hold up my plate. My stomach swirls with anxiety. I don’t need Roman getting scared about us again.
Roman takes my plate and places it on top of his. He makes a point of using my fork to cut off a big slice of pie.
“I’m in for leftovers,” Forrest says. He stands and makes his way to the kitchen, with Maddox, Legend, and Lachlan on his heels. Monroe winks and heads that way as well.
“Where’s my sugar daddy? I need a back rub,” she calls out. The guys all erupt in laughter that floats to us in the living room.
“You good, baby girl?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I just… don’t need him getting in your head,” I say honestly.
“He’s not,” he assures me. “It was just an off-the-cuff statement. It’s okay.”
I nod. “I missed you.”
“You have no idea, baby.” He runs the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip. “You better go.” He nods toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right in once I finish this.”
“So, what, three bites?” I tease him.
“Lately, you’re the only meal I savor.”
“Lately, you’ve not been savoring me either,” I sass, and stand to go to the kitchen with everyone else.
Roman reaches out and catches my wrist. “Baby girl, you know that your sweet pussy is what I crave. When I came to see you, it just wasn’t the right time. You were upset, and I didn’t drive to see you for that.”