Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
After they’d cleaned up, she didn’t fight him when he pulled her into his arms. She fell asleep fast, leaving him to breathe in her intoxicating coconut scent mixed with the lingering smell of sex in the air around them. He fell asleep to the thought that he could get used to her in his bed and in his life.
The next morning, he woke up early and slipped out from beneath the covers, leaving Winter to sleep. He let the dog out back and returned for a quick shower.
He pulled on a pair of track pants and strode into the kitchen, realizing too late he smelled coffee before he walked into the room.
His gaze came to rest on Zach. “Oh hell no. How did you even get inside? I changed the lock the last time you let yourself in.”
Zach liked to practice his skills on his siblings’ homes. It was annoying as fuck. “Did you really think an electronic keypad would stop me?”
“I had high hopes. What would you suggest I try next?” Harrison asked, tempted to slap the smirk off his brother’s face.
His brother lifted one shoulder and took a sip of coffee from one of Harrison’s mugs. “If you want to make it challenging, try a fingerprint.”
Harrison groaned. “It wasn’t a serious question. Where was the bodyguard?” He assumed Morgan had switched places with someone for the day shift.
“Watching me,” Zach said with a shrug.
Whenever the family used the security company, they had the names of everyone allowed in without calling first. And Zach, of course, was friendly with them all.
“I’m kidding, by the way. Today I used my key.”
Harrison rubbed his eyes, a headache already forming. He walked to the dog food and Panda ran up to him, jumping on her hind legs. “Thanks for letting her inside,” he muttered.
“No problem.”
He put the dog’s food into the bowl and set it on the floor. Then he made himself a cup of coffee. “You aren’t supposed to be here until the weekend. When Mom and Dad come,” he said to Zach. “What gives?”
He’d planned on having two days alone with Winter before his family showed up en masse. Unfortunately, he was the only one of the Dares with a Hamptons house anyone could stay in. Asher’s was still under construction and though he and Nikki could stay in one part, he couldn’t yet have company. Everyone had planned on staying with him. Something he hadn’t explained to Winter yet because he knew she’d be overwhelmed.
“I’m here because I wanted you two to have backup.” Zach shrugged. “Just in case.”
Before Harrison could either thank Zach for caring or call him out on his bullshit because they trusted Alpha Security, Panda ran toward the kitchen entryway.
“Zach!” Winter stepped into the room wearing Harrison’s T-shirt and nothing more. His white T-shirt which showed her pert nipples through the soft, thin material. “I didn’t know you were coming today!” She immediately bent down and picked up Panda, holding her against her chest and letting Harrison breathe more easily.
He shot his sibling a glare.
Zach grinned. “Morning, pretty girl. Sorry. Didn’t mean to disturb you.” He stepped down from the stool. “I’ll go hang out with Chris. He’s taking the day shift. Morgan has some time off, then he’ll be back for his usual times.”
At least his brother had the decency to leave them alone.
The doorbell rang, and suddenly he heard familiar voices talking. Too many voices. “Why did I give everyone a damned key?” Harrison muttered.
Because his house was used by all of his family members if they decided to spend time here when Harrison was in the city. Or join him during the summer. It was just how they rolled… and that ended now.
Winter’s eyes opened wide at the sound of voices, and she let out a squeak. “I need to get dressed!” Keeping Panda tucked against her chest, she spun and rushed past him, heading out the back entrance to the room that avoided the front door.
Zach met his gaze and shrugged. “Sorry, man. The parents will explain.”
Harrison groaned and walked out to deal with his family.
* * *
Winter rushed back to the bedroom and shut the door, locking it behind her. His family was… a lot. And she hadn’t even spent time with them yet.
She placed Panda on the floor and drew a deep breath, deciding to prioritize her thoughts before the buzzing in her head drove her insane. First, she needed to shower before she faced the Dares. When she’d woken up alone, she’d had time to remember being with Harrison. Feeling him deep inside her had been beyond orgasmic. Actually, it had been multi-orgasmic, and that included when he’d woken her up in the middle of the night by sliding inside her.
He’d tried to be gentle, and she couldn’t deny that his worrying about her and the baby’s well-being touched her heart. The same heart she was trying to hold on to and not hand over to the man on a silver platter. But she’d also decided not to overthink and just enjoy. It had worked well for her last night, so she’d decided to join him in the kitchen and see if he was in the mood for some morning sex. Instead, she’d seen his brother. And then she’d heard their family.