Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Sooner or later, Lionel is going to realize that. He'll back off. But fucking hell, I'm tired of playing his game. I just want to be home with my wife, holding her, loving her, and giving her the future I promised when I put that ring on her finger.
"You will not cancel, Grayson McGregor," Mina growls, her voice raspy as she narrows her eyes at me. "I don't need you here to nurse me because I have a virus. I'll be fine. But if you don't go, we're never going to hear the end of it." Her expression softens. "And I'd really like for him to forgive us sooner rather than later so he stops sending you to the ends of the freaking earth every other week."
"He's not mad at you, baby girl," I murmur, brushing my nose down the side of her face. He has a soft spot for his daughter. He just has this fucked up idea that he made her, so he gets to decide how her life plays out. Mina isn't the kind of girl willing to go along with that antiquated notion, though. She was born with fire in her soul and an independent streak a mile wide. I never met her mom, but I think she got her fiery Irish spirit. "He's pissed at me. I took his daughter away."
"I'm not property to be taken. I made my own choice. And I chose you." She places her palm against the side of my face. "I'll always choose you."
"Christ." I rest my forehead against hers, my heart pulsing. "I love you forever; do you know that?"
"That's good," she says, her voice steeped in weariness. Poor baby feels awful. "Because I have papers on you now, McGregor. That means I own you."
"Oh, yeah?" I grin, lifting us both to our feet to carry her back to the bedroom. "You own me, huh?"
"Mmhmm."
"We'll see about that, sweetheart." I nip her earlobe before laying her on the bed. "As soon as I get home from Mexico, I intend to show you exactly who owns who. And I want to hear you screaming my name while I'm showing you."
She smirks up at me, heat in her eyes as she snuggles in, stealing my pillow like always. "Have you ever noticed that your plans always end with me screaming your name?"
"Mmhmm. It's by design." I lean down over the bed, brushing my lips across her forehead. "I fucking love how good you sound screaming for me, Mina. Especially when that hot, wet pussy is wrapped around my cock while you're screaming it."
She's my first, my last, my only. And I'm hers. This love between us is wild and endless. It burns hot and bright. And goddamn, I don't ever want to stop wanting her the same fucking way I do now.
She whimpers softly, shifting on top of the bed, and I know she feels the same exact way.
I smile against her skin. Fuck, she's too tempting, too beautiful, even when she's sick. "Rest, baby. I'll be home before you know it."
"Promise?"
"Always. I love you forever."
"Love you forever," she breathes, her eyes fluttering closed.
Forever isn't long enough for me and her. I want whatever comes after that.
I kiss her again and then pull back, striding toward the door. At the threshold, I pause to grab my bag, glancing back at her. She looks so sweet in our bed, hugging my pillow like it's me. I hesitate, rooted to the spot. My feet won't fucking move as the desire to say fuck this job surges through me hot and fast.
I just want to crawl in beside her, pull her into my arms, and hold her. Fuck her father. Fuck the show. Fuck everything. This is where I should be—right here with her, taking care of her, loving her. This is where I belong. This is what matters.
We'll find a different way to get Lionel to back off. I'll go see him, plead for forgiveness, whatever it fucking takes to get him to see reason. But this—leaving her all the goddamn time on his whim—this isn't the answer. It can't be.
"Make me proud, husband," she mumbles, our tiny bed creaking as she shifts.
Shit.
Without Lionel, I'll never be able to give her the life she deserves. It'll be years, even decades, before I can make the kind of money these shows bring in. And she misses her dad, even if she'll never admit it. I owe it to her to pay my penance and fix this shit to ensure she has the future she deserves. She's what matters here—the only thing that matters.
For her, I'll do anything. Endure anything. Survive anything. No matter how long it takes.
"I love you forever, Mina," I murmur, dragging myself away.
Like always, I leave my heart behind…beating in her chest.