Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Yeah, because he’s been so careful in the past,” Bram argued, turning to look at me. “You’ve got nothing to add?”
“You two seem like you’ve got it covered,” I replied with a wry smile. My brothers had been having the same conversation for almost an hour, Bram getting more worked up and Alex more relaxed as time passed.
“Why are you doing this?” Bram asked, coming to a stop. “He treats you like shit, Katherine.”
“Ooh, he’s using your full name,” Alex said in amusement.
“Shut the fuck up, Alexander.”
“Calm it on down, Abraham.”
“Are you guys kidding right now?” I huffed in annoyance. “You’re thirty years old. Grow up.”
“We’re thirty-one,” they both replied before turning to glare at each other.
“Exactly. Shut it already.”
“You’re being an idiot, Kate,” Bram growled, taking a step forward.
“Leave her be, Bram,” Shane said, moving into the room in nothing but a pair of sweats.
“You shut the fuck up,” Bram said, pointing at Shane. “You’re not a part of this conversation.”
“Interesting. Sounds like I’m the topic of the conversation.”
“I didn’t beat your ass because my dad asked me not to,” Bram said in warning, crossing his arms across his chest.
Even with the tension filling the room, I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of my mouth. I finally knew why the boys had begun crossing their arms when something pissed them off.
“What the hell are you laughing at?” Bram asked with a scowl.
“Okay, this is over,” Shane stated, moving around the couch between Bram and me. “Hold her tight, baby.”
I clutched Iris closer as Shane bent over and scooped her and me into his arms. He didn’t flinch as Bram started ranting, just nodded at Alex—who was grinning—and carried us down the hall.
I glanced back toward my brothers as we reached my bedroom, and Alex had one hand on Bram’s shoulder, his fingers gripping Bram’s flannel shirt. He was saying something I couldn’t hear, but whatever it was had Bram relaxing slightly and nodding.
“Your brother is insane,” Shane mumbled as he kicked the door quietly closed behind us and set me on the bed.
“He’s just worried about me,” I replied, pulling off the irritating nursing cover I’d used when I was with my brothers.
“I’m not going to fucking hurt you,” he rasped, dropping down next to me and running his hand over his head.
“You already have—that’s worse in Bram’s book.”
His sad eyes met mine, and he barely nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you’ve said that.”
“I meant it.”
“You always mean it, Shane,” I said in exasperation as Iris finally stopped nursing with a small burp. I stood up and brought her to her bassinet, happy for a reason to step away from him.
“I’m trying, Katie.” Shane’s hands dropped to his lap.
“I’m not sure what you want from me.” I stood in the middle of the room, my hands fisted at my sides.
“I just want you.”
“Why?” I asked softly. “I already agreed to go back with you. You’re getting what you wanted.”
“Come here,” he murmured.
“No.”
He stood from the bed then, making my heart race.
“Why are we like this?” he asked, walking toward me until he’d stopped less than a foot away.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes you do.”
“You fucked up,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears.
“I fucked up,” he agreed, reaching out to cup the side of my neck in his large hand. “I won’t do it again.”
“That’s what you said last time.”
“Do you remember when you showed me your belly?” he asked, running his thumb up my throat. “You were just starting to get round, and you were nervous for me to see you.”
I nodded, swallowing hard.
“I thought, No one has ever been more beautiful than she is at this moment.” He lifted his other hand to trace his fingers down the side of my face.
I scoffed. “I did my hair and put on makeup when I knew we’d be Skyping. I usually looked like shit.”
“You got gussied up for me?” he asked with a small smile.
“You don’t get it. That wasn’t me. I don’t wear makeup. I hate doing my hair, and usually I don’t have time for that crap anyway.” I tried to pull away, but the hand on my face dropped to wrap around my back and keep me close.
“I see you,” he murmured, the smile never leaving his face. “You were even more gorgeous in the hospital after having Iris.”
I startled. “What?” I hadn’t seen him at the hospital.
A dark look crossed over his face, erasing his smile. “I got there as soon as I could, and you were sleeping. You were still a little bit sweaty—” I grimaced, remembering how gross I’d been.
“Your face was swollen, and you had these little red dots on your cheeks.” He reached up and ran a finger under my eyes. “You looked exhausted.”
“I was.”
“I’ve never seen a woman look more beautiful in my entire life.”