Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“I just found out this evening on my way home.”
“So you didn’t know and withheld that information as you did about Brock’s physical—something we will discuss later.”
He nips the tip of my finger. “I look forward to it.”
“Back to the baby … you didn’t know?”
“If I knew, I would’ve used it to talk you into letting me knock you up.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “You don’t really want a baby.”
“Try again, cutie.”
My breath stills as I lift my head. “Don’t mess with me.”
Our eyes lock, and the space between us is charged. He leans forward, pressing a sweet, almost reverent kiss against my lips.
I sag against him. I’m not sure what’s happening, and it scares me a little … but thrills me, too.
He rests his forehead against me. “Tomorrow, after we go to dinner at Mom’s, let’s sit down and talk.”
“Okay …” My breathing is shaky. “Is everything okay?”
With the news of Brock’s medical issues still so fresh in my mind, the sound of let’s sit down and talk sounds like its foreshadowing a dark moment.
“I hope so.” He grins, standing tall. “I’m just dead tired, and you have to be, too. Foxx said you were very active today.”
I gasp. “Did he tattle on me? That fucker.”
Renn laughs. “I guarantee no one has ever said that to his face and gotten away with it.”
“Just wait until I see him.” I pull his head against me and hug him. “How was your physical? I need to know you’re okay, and whatever you want to discuss has nothing to do with that. Humor me.”
“I’m good.” He pulls away. “Healthy as an ox. Very capable of giving you a baby, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I smack him. “I’m worried about your other head, thank you.”
“It works good enough to know a damn good thing when I see it.”
He holds my gaze, my words from the night on the plane to Australia returning to me.
“A nice man knows a damn good thing when he sees it.”
I reach for his hand, entwining his fingers in mine. His eyes are soft and full of an emotion that melts me from the inside out.
“He knows a damn good thing when he sees it. And … he loves me.”
My eyes search his, begging him to tell me what I want to hear. Tell me you love me, Renn. Please.
“My brain is fine,” he says softly. “But I love it that you worry about me.”
The irony of him using the word love in the wrong context is not lost on me.
I sigh. “Of course, I worry about you. I’ll worry every time you take the pitch. How long is your contract? A year? Is that right?”
He brings my hands to his lips and kisses them. Then he lets them go.
“Dad bought the Arrows today.” He lifts his wine and downs the whole glass. I watch him curiously as he refills it. “I just thought you’d want to know.”
I start to ask him why I’d care … but stop.
My stomach hits the floor.
If he had his meeting today and it went well, and if his father’s deal is done—and if the media isn’t as bad as we expected—then our marriage isn’t really needed anymore.
My lips part, assisting my brain with keeping me alive by allowing my lungs more oxygen. Still, it feels like the room is void of it. Like I’m quietly suffocating.
“So,” I say, clearing my throat. “Does that mean …”
“No. That’s not what that means.”
I grip the edge of the counter. “Renn—”
“We’re both tired. Today has been stressful—for me, at least. All I’ve looked forward to since I left the house this morning was coming back to you tonight.”
My sight grows cloudy.
He stands between my legs, tipping my chin up with his finger. “Tomorrow night, we talk. Promise me you won’t panic until then.”
“Should I plan on panicking then?”
He holds my face in both hands and kisses me slowly, deliberately. This isn’t one of his hungry kisses. It’s not fueled by lust. It’s triggered by something else, something deeper and more meaningful.
Something I’m too scared to name.
“How hungry are you?” he whispers against my lips.
“Not much.”
“Come to bed with me. I need you, Blakely. More than I’ve ever needed anything else.”
That’s all he has to say.
Because even though I’m worried, scared, and unsure about the future, I know I’ll be there if he needs me.
And really—I need him too.
CHAPTER 24
Blakely
“What’s wrong?” Renn reaches for me across the middle console. “Are you okay? You’ve been quiet this evening.”
I let him have my hand but stare out the window. The community we entered a few minutes ago, one that’s a short drive from Renn’s, is more upscale than his. And I don’t know what to do with it. Mansions that must expand into five digits in square footage make the luxury cars in the driveway look like toys. It’s overwhelming.