Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“What did she teach you, baby?”
“She told me to never settle for love. No money, status, or ambition should come in the way of my happiness. When I found someone, the relationship needed to be based on truth, respect, understanding, and unrequited love. She was right.”
My heart skips a beat, feeling her grandmother’s love shining in her.
“She missed one thing, though.” A sparkle flickers in her eyes. “She left out the part about a passion so deep, it lives inside me every minute. Thank you, Ford, for giving me what my grandmother left this earth wanting.”
“Rowan, you’re killing me.”
She snaps out of her trip down memory lane. “She would have adored you.”
The words wash through me, igniting the primal need to protect and cherish her from ever seeing darkness again.
I scoop her in my arms, carrying her to the oversized lounger under the cabana.
She picks up on my intentions, cupping my jaw and kissing me softly. No other words are spoken as I strip us both and lay her down, sliding inside of her.
Rowan has no idea, but tonight changed things between us.
She’ll be resistant.
I’m up for the challenge.
It’s time to build our life together.
22
ROWAN
Dad reaches for the plate and I swat him away, serving Ford with a smile. “You get the first piece.”
“What the hell is that? I’ve been waiting all day for dessert,” Dad complains.
“You can wait all night, too, barring there is any left after Jewls.”
She presses her lips together, her eyes going wide when I hand over her serving.
“Serves you right after the stunt you pulled.”
“What stunt?”
I shoot him the ‘don’t pretend you don’t know’ glare, and he narrows his eyes in understanding.
“I’m not apologizing for watching out for my daughter.”
“Then you can wait your turn for cake.”
Ford may have stopped me from blasting my dad on his humiliating approach to my moving in. But I’ve waited weeks for the chance to exact my revenge. There are only a few ways to get to Hotch Ellis. Denying him his favorite dessert is one of them.
Watching the dread and panic on his face almost makes me feel bad.
Almost.
“Oh my God, this is divine,” Jewls gushes, shoving her fork at Major. He takes the bite and glances at my mom.
“Fucking fantastic.”
“Thanks,” she practically purrs under his praise.
“Now I’ve got to try it.” Talon takes the next plate.
“Seriously, Cassie. These guys fuel their bodies with a strict diet. But this cake won’t make it through the night.”
At this, my dad rumbles and I swear his eyes are misty.
“Baby, give it up,” Ford urges.
“Not until he acknowledges I’m a grown woman who can decide what’s best for me.”
Dad crawl-walks his fingers across the counter, inching to the plate in my hand. I wait until he’s almost here and poke him with the knife. “Nope.”
“Rowan Ellis, I’ve never known you to be a cruel girl. Hooking up with this jarhead has changed you.”
There’s a hushed silence before I burst into giggles. He snatches it out of my hand and hustles around the island. Mom takes over as I make my way to the stool next to Ford.
Before I can sit, he hooks me around the waist and pulls me into his lap. “You know how to bring a man to his knees. Thought he was going to cry.”
“That’s the point.”
Ford closes in, kissing me softly.
The front door flies open and Harley rushes in frantically. “We didn’t miss anything, did we?”
“Jesus, baby. Where’s the fire?” Ace comes in behind her.
“Love the dress, girly!” Cruz gurgles with a mouth full.
“Thanks, we got here as soon as possible.”
“Broke about five traffic violations on the way,” Ace grumbles, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“None of that matters. We couldn’t miss this.”
A slow burn travels through me, bringing emotions with it. Ford senses the change, curling our fingers together.
Harley and Ace had a promotional event tonight for a new band MJ signed. She invited us, but with all that’s been happening, I declined. She was adamant about ducking out until I insisted they attend. And promised to save all my news until she arrived.
The thought she’d willingly give up a night with up-and-comers alongside some of the best musical talent in the business was crazy.
“Cake?” Mom offers.
“Maybe soon. I’m too jazzed.”
“Time to spill before she springs through the roof,” Ford mutters.
Ace holds up a hand. “Better wait.”
The signal from the security chirps, a caravan of cars coming up the road.
“What in the world?” I glimpse around, baffled.
“No one wanted to miss this, so they followed us from the event,” Harley explains.
One by one, people file in the door.
Raven, Declan, Robbie, Ember, Finn, Presley, Charlie, Blake, Ginger, Shayla, Nate, and Cooper all fill the living room, looking every bit the rockstar-slash-supermodel crew.
“Cass, hide the cake!” Dad hollers, bringing me out of my daze.
“Daddy!”
“Don’t worry, I knew enough to make more,” Mom assures him.