Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
She grinned. “It’s so beautiful. I love it.”
“I’ve never been this happy before, Rory. I need you to know that.”
“Me either. It kind of scares me. I’m not used to these feelings. And wanting to play hooky from work.”
Her eyes seemed to sparkle every time a headlight lit her face. “Go camping with me, Éan.”
She laughed. “Camping?”
“Yes!”
Her smile faded some. “When?”
“I’ve got to work the next few weekends. The weekend of Halloween.”
“The benefit gala for the fire department is that Friday.”
I tugged her hair, exposing her neck to me. Placing my lips on it, I ran them softly over her skin, causing her to squirm in my lap.
“We’ll go after the gala.”
“That sounds like it could be fun.”
I breathed in her heavenly scent. “How is this going to work?”
She dragged in a shaky breath. “What?”
“Well, a guy wants to be able to dance with his date, but that’s difficult when they’re kind of keeping their relationship a secret.”
Jetting her lower lip out into a pout, she replied, “That’s so sad.”
“I know. I have a feeling she is going to be dressed in a smoking-hot dress, too.”
A wicked gleam hit her eyes. “I happen to know that’s a true statement. And I also have it on good word that she’ll have some red lace under said dress.”
“Red. I like that color. Reminds me of fire.”
The corners of her mouth lifted into a wide grin. “Rumor has it that’s why she’s wearing red.” Then, in a slightly more serious tone, she said, “I heard it was your favorite color.”
Lifting my hand, I traced a finger along her jaw. “I’m falling hard for you, Éan.”
Her beautiful blue eyes searched my face before catching my stare. “And I’m falling hard for you, Finn.”
I drew her lips to mine, and we kissed like it was our first time. It started off slow and quickly turned more passionate. I was positive if we had been alone, I’d have taken her as mine.
I’m not sure how long the kiss lasted. All I know is that while we were kissing the cab pulled up to Preston’s pub, I heard my father clearing his throat, and Rory broke our bond.
Giving her a sexy smirk, I asked, “You ready to meet the rest of the family?”
Her face turned white as a ghost. “W-what?”
She quickly got off me and turned to see my father leaning down and staring into the cab. “Oh my! You look like…you’re a…oh goodness.”
“Dad, do you remember Rory Adams?”
He nodded. “Little Rory. You do know your dad would kick my son’s ass if he saw what I just saw?”
Trying to speak, Rory cleared her throat three times. “Y-yes sir. I mean, he wouldn’t. No wait. Yes he would.”
Reaching for her hand, my father helped Rory out of the taxi and pulled her into a hug. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”
Even with the sun setting in the sky, I could see her cheeks stain with a beautiful rose blush. It matched the color of the clouds.
“All right, Michael Ward, you step aside and let me see the woman who has captured my Finn’s heart.”
Rory peeked over at me while pressing her lips tightly together. My mother walked up and took Rory by the arms and held her back to examine her. “Rory Adams, I remember braiding your hair when you were five years old!”
Rory giggled and replied, “Really?”
“Yes! Oh, my goodness. Haven’t you grown into such a beautiful young woman!”
Rory’s head dropped in embarrassment. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“You will call me Jenn. Now, let me give you a hug and tell you thank you for being there for our Harmony when she needed you.”
Once they were wrapped up in an embrace, my mother whispered something into Rory’s ear. Glancing back at me, Rory smiled, and my breath was taken. I never in my life would have imagined feeling this way. I had a new understanding of what Preston felt for Harmony.
“Looks like you found yourself a catch there, little brother.”
My head turned to see Wes standing there. “What in the hell? Mom didn’t say you were coming up from New York.”
Wes chuckled, then shrugged. “I have a few weeks off. Thought I would hang out with the family and get to know our little niece. Maybe even help with a few installs of some solar systems.”
“That would be awesome, Wes.” I’d been asking Wes to come and do just that. Really see what this business was all about. I didn’t want him to think he was simply a silent partner and the one who’d written the checks to get us started. He had long since been paid back, but he still handled all the books and the spending.
“The girlfriend is adorable—and I’m pretty impressed Mom is behaving!” Angela said as she walked up and gave me a hug. “Nice going, big brother.”