Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Woman, don’t do this,” he growls.
I jab two fingers into his chest. “Don’t you woman me, asshole. Acting like a sexist caveman isn’t cute or sexy. Nobody’s going to swoon over getting called woman. Dickhead.”
“I’m not trying to be cute. I don’t want to have this conversation.”
“Too bad. You’ve made that clear, but I’m ignoring your request.”
“Molly—”
“Renzo’s hurting just like you are.” That makes him shut up. He looks very unhappy, but at least he’s not hammering something to drown me out. “Maddie says he misses you, but he’s too stubborn to come apologize. We need to fix this.”
“No, Renzo needs to fix this. He’s in the wrong. If he’s too stubborn, then he doesn’t really give a fuck about having me in the family after all. You’re not helping. You’re only proving my point.”
“God, you’re so freaking frustrating. Can’t you see it’s all just your big, stupid egos getting in the way? You guys love each other. You’re brothers. Go talk to him.”
“No.” He doesn’t elaborate. Just that one word, as if that’s enough.
“Maddie wants to come visit. She wants to bring Brando.” I quirk an eyebrow. “Or are you mad at the little kid, too?”
His expression softens. “Don’t use Brando against me.”
“I’m running out of ideas here,” I say, feeling genuinely desperate. “Give me something to work with. I need to make you happy again.”
He watches me for a second before wrapping his arms around me and hugging me tight. I relax into his embrace before realizing he’s doing it again. He’s trying to comfort me when I’m the one that should be holding him. I squirm, but his grip’s too tight, and he doesn’t let go.
“Every day I wake up with you in my bed is like winning the lottery,” he says and bends down to kiss my neck. “I mean that. You don’t understand how much I love you.”
“You think I’m great, right?”
“Mmmm, you need some compliments, baby? Alright, you’re great.”
“And you think I’m smart?”
“Very fucking smart.”
“If I’m so great and smart then why don’t you get your head out of your ass and start listening to me, you overgrown fuckwad?”
He laughs and I try hitting his chest, but he keeps my arms pinned. His smile fades. “I just can’t, okay? I gave them what I had and Renzo tossed me aside the first time I stepped out of line. Now I’m trying to make a new family with you. I want to focus on that.”
“I love being with you.” I touch his cheek and I mean it. He satisfies me in ways I never expected, and also the sex is great. “But I hate seeing you like this, and I hate knowing it’s my fault.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s Renzo’s fault. We didn’t have to take our fight this far. The problem is, I’ve been perfect for him, I’ve done nothing but sacrifice, and the moment I screw up, he acts like I stabbed him in the back. I can’t live like that. I won’t do it.”
I sigh and lean my head against his chest, listening to his heart beat. “You’re wrong.”
“I don’t think I am.”
“That’s the problem.”
“I’ve been a lot of things in my life, baby. I’ve been a killer, a brother, a best friend. I’ve been a son and now I’m a husband. Soon I’ll be a father. But I won’t ever let myself be used by people I love.”
“I want you to know something.” I squirm slightly, getting my arms free enough that I can reach down along his belt, down between his legs. He lets out a happy little purr and god, I love that sound. “No matter what happens, I’m on your side.”
“I believe you,” he whispers as I stroke him over his pants.
“Easy to believe me right now when I’m grabbing your dick.”
“You could tell me anything and I’d go along with it. The earth’s flat? Let’s fall off the edge together.”
“Careful. We both know that one’s true.”
He laughs and drags me over to the bed. I let out a little whimper as he buries my mouth with his, but I don’t let him take charge. This isn’t about getting myself off—it’s about comforting him. And there are very few times where he genuinely lets his guard down and lets me make him feel good. Sex is one of those rare moments. Which happens to be fun for me too.
I push him down onto the bare mattress. The room’s still in a state of flux and he hasn’t gotten rid of the bed yet. I drop to my knees, tugging at his pants until they’re off, and his hard cock’s stiff enough that he’s twitching. I love that he still gets like a damn iron rod for me every time I’m on my knees for him; it’s like no matter how much time passes, he still wants to fuck me like it’s the first time.