Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I need ta savour this moment fer a wee while longer.
“I’m happy,” Callia whispers softly as she strokes my chest with her tender touch.
“I hope so,” I say, “Because ye know ye’re stuck with me now. I ain’t goin’ta be lettin’ ye out of my sight ever again.”
The need to keep her safe, ta make sure she’s never in harm’s way is runnin’ rife through my veins. I don’t want her ta know anythin’ other than happiness and love.
Love.
It’s a word I’ve never said ta anyone, other than my parents. I’ve never felt the need to confess it. I thought for a while I loved Orla, but I never felt the need ta tell her. With Callia, it’s different, though.
“I can think of worse things to be stuck with,” she teases, causin’ me to chuckle.
Then she nestles her head into the crook of my arm, and I want nothin’ more than ta keep her here forever. It’s taken too long fer me to finally admit I want her. Perhaps it was the protective streak that took hold of me when I first laid eyes on her. It made me want to save her, even from myself.
“Do ye remember the day we met?” Callia questions in a soft whisper as she trails her fingertip over my chest.
“Aye, ye were a reckless wee thing,” I tell her. “And all I wanted ta do was tie ye ta my bed and keep ye there until ye were old enough fer me ta claim ye.” There’s no point in hidin’ the truth from her. We’ve taken the next step and Callia knows I want her.
She scoots up to look at me, a smile brightenin’ her expression as her eyes shimmer. “Oh? And why didn’t ye tell me that, back then?”
I ponder her question fer a moment before I say, “Because ye needed ta grow up. There was time, and I needed ye ta realise ye had other options.”
Callia sniffles, and I watch as a lone tear trickles down her cheek. “There’s still so much ye don’t know about me.”
“When ye’re ready , ye’ll tell me. We’ll figure things out as we go. It’s a journey. One we’ll take together.”
“I want ta know everythin’ there is ta know about ye,” Callia announces. The excitement is clear in her voice as she speaks.
I consider this fer a moment, then reply, “Ye will. There’s more ta both of our lives than we‘ve shared so far. We’ll just have ta take each day as it comes.”
I pull her in fer a kiss, and I can’t stop the need that courses through me . I want ta do so much more with her right now, but there’s work waitin’.
“I have ta go fer a wee while.”
“No,” Callia mumbles with a pout pursin’ her pretty mouth. “I want ye ta stay here with me forever. No goin’ out there into the real world.”
I chuckle. “Aye. That would be heaven, but right now, I’m needed in hell.” I laugh when she scrunches her nose at my analogy. “Sleep fer a bit.” I shift from under her. “I need ta go see Monster.”
“Do ye have ta?” She looks up at me with a plea in her eyes.
I don’t want ta go, but I wasn’t plannin’ on leavin’ Monster ta deal with Bragan all alone. He has the rest of the brothers around, but I’m his second-in-command. And I need ta get his advice on goin’ forward with Lia as well.
“Aye, I’ll be back soon. I promise,” I tell her as I press my lips to hers.
Leavin’ her is difficult, but when she finally accepts I’m comin’ back, I quickly get dressed and head out to see the rest of the brothers who are congregated in the lounge.
I’m greeted with whistles and catcalls from the men who are my family, and all I can do is roll my eyes. Feckers. I find Monster outside; he’s with Hades and Sully. There’s blood all over his T-shirt and jeans.
“Is it over?” I ask him the moment I come to a stop beside them.
Monster nods slowly. “Aye. He’s paid fer his sins. Sully is leavin’. He’s goin’ across the pond, so I’ll need help with the clean up.”
“Aye,” I say. “I’ll help, no problem.” I look ta Sully who I know is itchin’ ta go see his lass. “Is Clover doin’ all right?”
“I think so. I haven’t spoken to her since she left. She wanted space, and I needed to clear my feckin’ head.” He pulls deeply on a cigarette before he blows out the smoke, creatin’ circles in the air.
“Don’t leave it too long,” I warn. “She’s a pretty lass. Ye never know who’s goin’ta try ta take yer place.” I laugh as I swat him on the shoulder when he pins me with a glare.