Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
He hummed. “Caelan does good work.”
“I told him he’s my favorite brother-in-law.”
“You said the same to Drey when he gave you free tickets to his upcoming game.”
I sniffed. “I don’t recall that.”
Dax only gave me a dubious look. “What time are we leaving to go see your parents?”
“About one pm. I’ll be in my office until then.” I had a book to read that had only recently been released.
“Office,” he said, all mockery. “Right.”
Okay, so it was more of a mini library slash reading den than anything else. “Not sure I like or understand your tone.”
“Oh, you understand it. If you don’t like it, that’s your issue.”
“Rude.”
“Fact.” He braced himself on his elbows, a heat beginning to gather in his eyes. “Now get over here. Neither of us are leaving this room until I’ve fucked you raw.”
I blinked, my belly fluttering. “Sounds good to me.”
It was my mom who answered the front door when we arrived at my parents’ home in the early afternoon. Saying big hellos, she pulled me into a hug. Her brows lifted when she realized I had company. “Hi, Dax,” she greeted, genuine welcome in her voice. “I didn’t expect to see you. Come in.”
We both strolled into the grand foyer and then, at her invite, followed her into the large sitting room. There, Dane was seated on one of the sofas, his cell phone in hand, idly stroking the white Persian cat on his lap like one of those evil movie villains.
The smile he offered me quickly dimmed at the sight of Dax.
Still, I gave him a bright grin. “Hey, Dad.”
He set down both his phone and Artemis—earning himself a put-out chirp from the fluffy beast—and then stood as I crossed to him. He gave me a light squeeze before settling his gaze on the man who sidled up to me. “Dax,” he grunted.
My husband inclined his head. “Dane.”
I turned to my mom. “So much love in the room.”
Her mouth curled into a smirk that earned her a dirty look from my dad. She took orders for drinks and then headed to the kitchen.
I would have gone with her if I could have trusted that these two men wouldn’t end up arguing in my absence. Instead, I sat beside Dax on the sofa across from the identical one that Dane had claimed.
Dax draped an arm over the back of the couch, sitting close enough to me that our thighs just about touched. He and Dane indulged in a brief mini stare-out, which swiftly ended at the loud sigh I let out.
My dad’s mouth took on a sardonic twist as he stared at me. “How’s married life treating you?”
“Like I’m special.”
His jaw ever so slightly tightened. “You don’t usually bring him.”
“He missed you.”
Dane gave me one of his trademark droll looks.
“And I know how much you like surprises, so I thought I’d ask him to come along,” I added.
“Oh, you’ve been full of surprises these past couple of months,” my dad uttered.
I rolled my eyes. “Did we not talk about how marriages that aren’t built on the elusive thing called ‘love’ can actually work out in the long run?”
A sigh slipped out of him, and he sliced his gaze to Dax. “Who would you have married if she’d said no?”
That was a very good question, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer. “That’s his business.”
“Can’t he speak for himself?” It was a taunt.
“No, I’ve broken his mind and he now only talks if I allow it.”
Dane sighed. “Are you capable of being serious for five minutes?”
“Yes, it just holds no interest for me at the moment.”
Right then, Vienna reentered the room with a tray of cups. Drinks were quickly passed around, and she then took a seat beside Dane.
We spoke of mundane matters, my parents eyeing me and Dax like hawks the entire time; monitoring our body language—no doubt noting that, though we only engaged in incidental touching, we were completely at ease with each other.
Dax’s hands were far from neglectful in the bedroom, but he still rarely touched me outside of a sexual context. Maybe it would be different if we were an actual couple; maybe then there’d be hugs, kisses, and some social touching—I didn’t know. I’d never seen him with any of the women he’d dated, so I couldn’t even guess.
Breaking out of my thoughts, I returned my focus to the conversation. Though Dane ceased making rude remarks and tossing out nosy questions, he didn’t let up with the glaring and scowling.
In response, Dax did what he always did. He ignored it. That was the thing—he could use silence like a weapon. Could ignore you so spectacularly it would anger you more than any insult he might give.
Though the whole thing didn’t appear to be bothering Dax all that much, I nonetheless eventually burst out, “Dad, would you please stop being an ass to him?”