Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Just to sleep,” I say when we reach my bedroom.
“Okay, baby,” he says, bending and kissing my temple. He releases his hold on me, and I walk around the bed. I toss my coat onto the chair in the corner of the room, kick off my shoes, and slide beneath the covers.
I hear rustling, shoes hitting the floor with a thud, and then the bed dips. “Crosby?”
“Yeah?”
“Come here.”
I hesitate.
“Let me hold you.”
I know it’s a bad idea. It’s a really bad idea, but I do it anyway. I meet him in the middle of the mattress, and he pulls me into his chest. He makes me feel safe and protected, and in no time at all, I’m falling into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Rushton
I’ve never really thought much about what heaven is like. Not until about five minutes ago when I woke up holding Crosby in my arms. She slept curled against me the entire night, and that brings a smile to my face. My arm is numb, and I have to piss, but I’ll be damned if I move an inch. Nope, I’m holding out. I don’t know how long it will be before I get to do this again, if ever.
Not able to resist the pull, I press my lips to the top of her head as she starts to stir. She lifts her head and peers up at me, and my breath stalls in my lungs. Her eyes are sleepy, and her hair is a mess, but I’ve never seen her look more beautiful.
“You’re here.”
“Did you expect me not to be?”
“I’m not sure. I guess I assumed you’d wake and go home.”
“No way, gorgeous. We’re spending the day together, remember?” Her brows furrow as she deciphers what I’m talking about. “We’re babysitting.”
“Oh. You don’t have to help me. I can do it. You should be with your family.”
“I’ll be with my family. I got to meet Orion, and now I’m going to spend some time with the rest of my nieces and nephew while their mommas get their turn.”
She opens her mouth and quickly closes it, and nods. “Thank you. I’m going to use the restroom, and you can shower. I’ll drive and just drop you off here when we’re done.”
“What time do they need us?”
“If I know Palmer and Kennedy, they’re itching to meet him. I’ll call and get a plan together while you’re in the shower.”
“I can meet you there.”
Nice try, baby. “Nah, makes just as much sense for us to ride together.” I kiss the top of her head and climb out of bed. I make my way into the en suite bathroom and take care of business. Grabbing the toothpaste, I squeeze some onto my finger and do the best that I can until we get to my place so that I can shower. I know I should just head there now, but I want to spend the day with her, and I’m afraid if I let her out of my sight, she’ll make up an excuse that she can’t help me today, and then I’d spend the day wondering what she’s doing. I’ve done my fair share of that, so yeah, this is the plan.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, and I don’t recognize the man staring back at me. My eyes are lit with something I can’t name. I guess I can call it the Crosby effect. She’s the only thing in my life that’s changed. Sure, we have new babies to welcome to the family, but that wouldn’t do this. It wouldn’t make me feel… different.
Better.
Happier.
Opening the bathroom door, I find Crosby sitting on the bed. “All yours. I’m going to call my brothers. I assume we’ll be at Declan’s since he has two of the three kids.”
“Okay.”
“You all right?”
She nods, and a small smile pulls at her lips. “Yes. This is just… different for us.”
My feet carry me to the bed. Lifting her chin so that I have her full attention, I speak freely without thought. “We’re a work in progress. You let me know when you’re ready to change things up again.”
“What does that mean, Rush?”
“It means I want as much of you as you’re willing to give me.”
“Rush….” Her tone is full of warning and, if I’m not mistaken, regret.
“Shh,” I say softly. “When you’re ready, gorgeous. Until then, I’m taking all that I can get.” I press my lips to her forehead. Bending, I grab my shoes and walk away, shutting the door behind me as I exit her room.
When I reach the living room, I realize I had left my phone in the truck. Cursing myself, I quickly slide into my shoes and jog out to the truck to grab my phone. I don’t have any missed calls or messages, which is a relief.
I pull up a text and add Declan and Brooks and start to type.