Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
A wistful smile trembled over her lips. “I like the sound of that.”
I set my palm on her cheek and stroked my thumb over her jaw. My ribs stretched around my foolish heart. Grin fighting its way to the surface. “Turns out I like every sound that comes out of my wife’s mouth.”
Redness splashed her cheeks while the joy in those eyes glistened and pranced.
Fuck, I loved it.
Loved making her happy.
She traced her fingertips over my lips. “And it turns out I like every grumpy, possessive thing that comes out of my husband’s.”
“You sure you can handle it?” I teased, wondering how it was possible lightness had taken me over.
Her head angled to the side, delight traipsing over her features as her voice went flirty. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I can handle everything you are. I was made for it, remember?”
“Good thing, because you’re about to get a whole lot of me.” I growled it as I stood with her in my arms, though there was something playful seeded in it.
She squealed and wrapped her arms tighter around my neck as I carried her to our bed and tossed her in the middle.
A peal of laughter rolled out as she bounced, her naked body so tempting as she sank into the sheets.
There was no stopping my grin as I crawled on top of her, wrapped her in my arms, and gazed down at the life shining back at me. I gently brushed my fingers through her hair. “I love you, Daisy Adair.”
She sent me a sweetly wicked smile. “That’s Daisy Cunningham to you.”
FORTY-EIGHT
CASH
SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD
Stadium lights blinded from above and sweat poured down his back.
His helmet felt five thousand pounds too heavy.
A millstone around his neck.
The ball a boulder in his hand.
They were in the last minute of the game and down by three. Down by three because he kept making little mistakes that cost them.
His team raced out ahead of him.
Protecting him.
Shielding him.
Their futures bent to his will.
To this stupid fucking thing Matthew had asked of him.
His mind spun back to this afternoon. His brother had been frantic, but that was typical Matthew bullshit. Making so much more out of something than it was. Creating chaos where it didn’t belong. It had only grown a thousand times worse since his injury. Yeah, it sucked, but that didn’t absolve him of the behavior.
What an asshole.
What a selfish asshole.
Anger surged as Kyle went rushing out to where he was supposed to catch the pass.
And Cash made that split-second decision.
He threw the ball. It spiraled flawlessly through the air. Meeting its mark the way he’d nearly perfected.
Right smack into Kyle’s hands.
Kyle sprinted, and he lifted his hand with the ball over his head as he crossed the goal line.
Touchdown.
Thirty-six to thirty-three.
Everyone screamed and cheered.
The game won.
While Cash stood stagnant in the middle of the field wondering what he had done.
The team bus pulled out of the stadium grounds. His team sang and chanted. Shouted and cheered. Their celebration was already in full swing, but Cash knew it would only grow wilder tonight.
But Cash couldn’t seem to fully settle into the mood.
His conscience pressed down in dread, making him feel sick.
His brother’s pleas spun and spun through his mind.
Trying to shove it off and focus on the good things he had ahead of him, he glanced back at the thread on his phone for what was truly the best thing ahead of him.
Wallflower
You did it. I’m so proud of you.
Cash
Did you doubt me?
Wallflower
Not at all. But still, I thought I was going to freak out on that last play.
Yeah, Cash had thought he was going to freak out, too. He guessed he still was freaking out.
Cash
You’re riding home with my parents?
Wallflower
Yep. They’re going to drop me off back at school. They’re so kind.
Cash
They’re the best. Well, except for you.
Wallflower
Are you trying to butter me up?
He couldn’t stop his grin.
Cash
I hope it’s working.
Wallflower
Count me sufficiently buttered.
Wallflower
Wait, oh God, that came out wrong.
He could almost see her hiding her embarrassment behind her hands.
Cash
I personally like the way it came out.
Wallflower
I bet you did.
Cash
Can’t wait to see you.
Cash
Can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Cash
Can’t wait to kiss you.
He left off the rest of what he planned to do to her.
Cash
We’ll be back to school in about an hour. Meet me at my truck?
Wallflower
I’ll be waiting.
The team bus traveled through the night, hitting the freeway that led back to their town. Voices were elevated, the guys refusing to stay in their seats as they shouted and stomped their feet.
Tons of that praise was directed at Cash, who did his best to give it back.
His brother was only exaggerating, he tried to convince himself. Probably trying to manipulate him so he could actually win some big bet. At this point, he wouldn’t put it past him.
But that dread was sinking deeper when another text blipped through and he rushed to look at it, but rather than it being from Daisy, it was from Matthew.