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)
Dinner had long since finished and everyone was talking in smaller groups. He took in the family scene and let the warmth wash over him, grateful for the people in his life. Despite the rocky start he and his older siblings had thanks to their mother’s mental illness, they’d managed to thrive. He’d always miss the idea of his mother, but he chose not to push to remember details because when he did, he recalled the neglect more than anything else. Until Serenity had arrived.
But here they were all together years later, and things were good. Even better now that he had Winter in his life.
Earlier, she’d had a revelation about wanting a relationship with her father, but he’d already had his own epiphany, one that was cemented tonight as he watched Winter relax around his family. She fit. As overwhelmed as she’d started out, she yearned for the closeness his siblings and parents shared, and they were all too happy to give it to her. Because his family had figured out what Harrison had been holding inside.
He loved this woman.
She had a journey of her own to complete before she could accept what was in front of her, but he intended to be by her side every step of the way. Because she loved him too. Whether she knew it or not.
He’d watched her face as he entered her, held her gaze as she found release, and saw when she’d accepted the love he showed her with both his body and his heart. But she was still skittish and often wary, like when she’d rushed off to walk Panda after they’d left the media room because their emotional connection had obviously spooked her.
And again when they’d walked into the restaurant when she’d been stiff and uncertain of her welcome. Until his sister and Aurora insisted she sit beside them. They’d pulled Winter into their circle, and he saw her visibly relax more as the evening went on.
“She looks calmer,” Asher noted, picking up his glass of Dirty Dare Bourbon and taking a sip. He’d obviously caught Harrison watching Winter, who was drinking an iced tea and laughing with Nikki, Jade, and Aurora.
“She is. It’s going to take time for her to realize once we let people in, we don’t let them go.”
Asher chuckled. “True.”
Harrison glanced at his oldest brother. “Winter wants to get to know the senator, but she’s worried about how Nikki will handle it.” He studied Asher, who knew his fiancée better than anyone. “I told her Nikki would understand. Was I right?”
Asher sighed then nodded. “It won’t be easy, but Nikki misses having her own family and her father’s been trying. He’s called and texted.” After finishing his drink, he slid the glass away. “The senator gives Nikki space but at the same time he shows her he’s not giving up. She’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”
Harrison nodded. “I figured as much.”
His brother leaned an elbow on the table. “What’s going on with you? It wasn’t that long ago you were freaking out and drinking because she was pregnant. Now you can’t take your eyes off her.” Asher tipped his head toward Winter.
He wasn’t wrong. Harrison squeezed the back of his neck, kneading the tight muscles there. “I think I knew the moment I laid eyes on her that she was the one.”
And if he hadn’t known it then, he sure as hell had the minute he’d found his way into her body. Gotten to know and admire her intelligence and saw how she’d handled announcing her relationship to Nikki and Derek and confronted the senator and his wife.
“Was it the same with you and Nikki?” he asked.
“Oh hell, no.” Asher shook his head. “I saw a gorgeous, too-young for me, spoiled woman. Then I learned I was wrong about the spoiled part. And then I was fucked.” He paused. “In the best possible way.”
“Okay, so I was close.” Harrison chuckled. “But you’re right. The pregnancy did scare the shit out of me at first because I didn’t see it coming. When I got my head out of my ass, I realized fate was handing me what I wanted all along.”
“I’m happy for you,” Asher said. “How long are you staying out here? Until the asshole is caught?”
Harrison pulled in a long breath. “It’s only been one day. I need to see what Zach comes up with. He’s working on it with Remy. His partner was a dick and isn’t taking things seriously. But I trust Zach to figure out who’s behind the threats.”
“Hello,” Zach said, pulling over an empty chair from the table behind them. “Did I hear my name?” He peeled off his leather jacket and hung it over the back of his chair.
“Hey,” Harrison said.
“What’s up?” Asher asked.
“I was thinking. Mom and Dad are buying a house here. You already have a place.” He glanced at Harrison. “What if I open a second location of The Back Door?”