Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
“Well, you should get used to it. No matter what happens in the future, you can come to us. To me. Do you hear?” Serenity tightened her hold to emphasize her point.
“Thank you.”
Serenity smiled and released Nikki’s hand. “Since I’ve taken you under my wing, I’m now inviting you to Nick and Aurora’s baby shower so you can meet the rest of the family. Don’t worry. Asher will be there, too.”
“Asher’s going to a baby shower?” Nikki asked, as the man in question joined them. In her nonexistent personal experience, baby showers were usually for women. At least, that’s what she’d read in books.
Asher shrugged as he joined them. “Nick decided that he missed everything about Aurora’s pregnancy the first time around. He doesn’t want to miss a thing now, so it’s a co-ed party.”
Nikki smiled. “I love that for him. But I’m not sure I belong–”
“She’ll be there,” Asher said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Once Serenity adopts you, you’re in for life.”
Serenity, warmth emanating from her smile, nodded. “He’s right.”
“Okay. And thank you.” Nikki couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so included.
“Good.” She clapped her hands. “Now that that’s settled, I’m going to find my husband and start celebrating our anniversary.” She strode out of the room, leaving them alone.
Asher walked over to where Nikki still sat. “Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded, overwhelmed but happy. “You’re lucky,” she murmured. “Your stepmother is a very special woman.” She slid off the stool and Asher grasped her around the waist.
“You are a very special woman.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Think you can put everything out of your mind and enjoy tonight?”
“Of course.” For Asher and his family, she’d do her best. “Let’s go celebrate.”
She put her hand in his and they walked out of the room.
Chapter Eleven
The next morning, Asher woke up with Nikki in his arms. From what Zach had told him last night, Asher had a feeling today would be their last day on the island. His family was going home as planned, and after talking to Derek, Zach had suggested Asher and Nikki join them. Asher’s intrepid brother had a plan and wanted to discuss it this morning. Since Asher was still in the dark, he hadn’t mentioned anything to Nikki. They’d find out what was going on together.
After he’d found her in the kitchen last night, they’d enjoyed their evening, and he hadn’t wanted to bring up anything that would remind her of her problems. Once his family retreated to their rooms, he’d lifted Nikki into his arms and carried her across the house and to his bed, where he’d proceeded to accept the words his father had put into his head.
He’d made love to her.
Although he’d kept the words to himself, he showed her in other ways. He slid into her slowly, built up her orgasmic tension, looked into her eyes, and any uncertainties about his feelings disappeared. She filled parts of him he hadn’t known were missing. But according to Zach, their time together was coming to an end.
She might not be aware of what was coming but he was. Headed back home to her brother, her family, and the real world where Asher would have to make decisions. How did he intend to handle it?
He pulled her closer, breathing in the island scent of her hair, knowing he couldn’t let her go, but keeping her wasn’t a straight road, either.
The sound of banging startled him, and he jumped, causing Nikki to jolt. “What’s wrong?”
“Wake up, you two. Meeting time,” Zach called from outside the bedroom doors.
“Go get some coffee. We’ll be there in half an hour,” Asher called out.
“What time is it?” Nikki asked.
Asher glanced over her shoulder to the clock on the nightstand. “Eight o’clock.”
She yawned, putting a hand over her mouth. “What does he want?”
Asher groaned. “Last night he told me he spoke to Derek. He thought we should fly home with the family. He wouldn’t say why, so I figured we’d all talk about it this morning.”
She nodded, her gaze steady on his. “What does this mean for us?”
“Time’s ticking!” Zach yelled, and his footsteps sounded as he walked away.
Asher wanted to answer her but didn’t know how. Not yet. “Let’s see what Zach has to say? We can talk about everything after we know his plan.”
Hurt crossed her features, the sparkle in her eyes shutting down. “Sure. Makes sense. I’m going to take a quick shower.”
Before he could grab her, she rolled to the side of the bed, sat up, and climbed out. She walked to the chair in the corner and retrieved her clothes.
After waking up here the first morning after his family arrived, she’d stashed some items here that she could wear to go upstairs and not experience that walk of shame feeling. Her words, not his. Because she’d withdrawn into herself, he let her go.