Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“I like something sweet all the time,” she replied.
Once we had our food and bottles of juice, I led her over to one of the benches and sat down, the outside of our thighs touching.
“I have to ask you something. You don’t have to answer, but I’m just curious,” Aisling said as she peered at me.
I lifted an eyebrow at her and nodded for her to continue.
“I know you’re excited about the baby and having a family, but… are you jealous that the baby isn’t yours? Maybe jealous isn’t the right word, but you know what I mean,” Aisling asked.
I shook my head.
“Like I said before, me and the guys are family. Hell, I’m the newest addition, and I’m closer to them than my actual blood family,” I explained. I’d put my life on the line for those guys, and I knew that they would do the same for me. When no one else would take me in or have my back, they swore to do so.
“So, whether or not the baby is genetically mine or not, I still see them as my baby. I’ll treat them as such.”
Aisling smiled a little as she nodded in understanding. She took a sip of her orange juice as her eyes shifted ahead, watching a few birds hopping along the ground.
“I was worried about this… deal. Part of me still is, but it’s nice to know that the baby will be cared for. By multiple people,” she admitted, a more serious look adorning her face.
“We promised you safety. That goes beyond physical. If you have issues or concerns, you need to tell us,” I replied as our eyes met. It probably seemed easier to keep her worries to herself around us since we probably didn’t seem like the friendliest crew, but we’d swore to protect her.
Aisling nodded, pressing her arm against mine for a second before we finished breakfast in comfortable silence. It wasn’t long before her eyelids started fluttering from tiredness, so I took her back to the clubhouse so that she could relax some more.
“Thank you for the ride. And for breakfast,” Aisling said as we walked into the clubhouse together, a slight pink tint glowing on her cheeks.
Honestly, I had a better time than I even expected, but she was full of surprises.
“I’m sure we can do it again soon,” I replied.
Aisling parted her lips to speak once we passed through the front door, but she froze at the sight of Bradley, who was seated at the bar.
Bradley peered back at her with a hard stare, and I could feel the wariness rolling off her.
“Come on,” I murmured as I placed my hand on Aisling’s tense back, ushering her to her room and shutting the door behind us. I shook my head, wishing that Bradley would lighten the hell up before he scared her off. I knew that he wasn’t happy about this plan, but it was time to get with the program like the others.
“Does he… hate me? We haven’t said a word to each other, and he’s like… giving me the death glare,” Aisling muttered, her eyebrows furrowing as she seemed genuinely bothered.
“He’s just… guarded. He’ll warm up to you,” I assured her. Would that actually happen? I wasn’t entirely sure, because Bradley could be a bit unpredictable. What I did know was that he wouldn’t dare hurt her or the baby.
Aisling released a slow sigh as she dragged her fingers through her hair, looking drained.
“I might’ve overdone it today. A lot of excitement,” she said with a tired smile.
I pitched a look over at the bathroom.
“Want me to run you a bath?” I offered.
A look of interest popped up on her face.
“That sounds great,” she said with an eager nod.
I headed into the bathroom and walked over to the garden tub tucked in the back left corner. After turning on the hot water and letting it steadily fill the tub, I turned to her, seeing her standing in the middle of the room with a shy look on her face.
She didn’t really seem like the overly shy type, but we both knew what came next.
“I’ll leave,” I told her, starting to head that way.
Aisling reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me.
“It’s fine. I… could you help me wash my hair? It’s so hard to do it alone while bathing,” she asked.
I held her gaze for a few moments, wondering if I was imagining the flirty glint in them. Did she really need help, or did she want help? Regardless, it was my job to provide for her.
“Get in the tub,” I told her, the tone of my voice dipping down lower.
Aisling’s breath faintly hitched before she turned away from me and peeled her shirt off, putting her bare back to me. With each layer of clothing that she removed, the fire in my lower stomach burned hotter and hotter. Her hair streamed down her back as she walked over to the tub, leaning over to shut the water off. Pitching one last look over her shoulder, she threw me a smile before sinking her body into the hot water, a pleased sigh breaking from her.