Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“Mostly because of my dick, though, right?”
I snort and then laugh outright, shaking my head. “Surprisingly, that ranks in the top three, but it’s not at the top.” I can’t stop touching him. “I love how special you make me feel. And I love your daughter.”
He takes a long, shaky breath.
“And then your … dick.”
He chuckles and then crushes his mouth to mine. “I can live with that.”
Chapter Seventeen
BRIDGER
“Ilove tacos,” Birdie announces as we join Holden and Millie in the kitchen.
The house they rent in town is small, but the weather has been nice enough today that they opened the door to the screened-in back patio, giving extra seating space for not only the Lexington family, but also for Millie, Birdie, and me.
“I think that just about everyone loves tacos,” Holden says, offering his hand to my daughter for a high five. “And they were extra good tonight because you helped me chop the tomatoes.”
Dani’s on the patio, sharing margaritas with all three of her sisters, and I’m in the kitchen, nursing a beer, since we were able to walk over here for dinner, chatting with my two best friends as we finish cleaning up from dinner.
Holden and Millie got married early this year, after dancing around each other for the better part of a decade. They’re two of my favorite people, and I’m glad that they finally ended up together.
“We’ve decided,” Millie begins, “that we need to have family dinners more often. Everyone’s so busy, and if we don’t make time for it, we just never see anyone.”
“Makes sense to me.” I turn when all four girls on the patio start to cackle, and smile at Dani through the screen door. “Looks like it’s a hit.”
“They’re just here for the margaritas,” Holden says, but Millie shakes her head.
“No, they miss their big brother,” she says and kisses his shoulder as she walks past him toward the patio. “I’m going out to chat. Come on, Birdie, come sit with the girls.”
“Okay.” Birdie jumps off her stool and follows Millie outside.
“Holden, it’s time you and I had a talk.” My voice is low because I want this to be a private conversation.
“I figured this was coming.” He blows out a breath and crosses his arms over his chest. “I see how you look at my sister. It’s as if she’s the best thing you’ve ever seen in your life.”
I send him a toothy grin. “She is. I’m in love with her, and I don’t plan on ever letting her go. Hell, if I have my way, she’ll be living with us before Christmas.”
Holden’s eyebrows climb into his hairline. “That’s fast, buddy.”
“Not fast enough. Hell, I’d marry her tomorrow if she’d say yes. And that’ll be another conversation we’ll have to have.”
My friend sighs and drags his hand down his face, leaning back against the counter. “I’ve known you all of my life. Your family was always our safe place, Bridge. You’re one of my closest friends, and I know the kind of man you are. If I had a problem with you and my sister together, I would have said something all those weeks ago when you came to me at the ranch. Scratch that,” he says, reconsidering. “I would have beaten the hell out of you.”
“You could have tried.”
Holden rolls his eyes, and I smirk at him. “The point is, Dani’s an adult. She can date who she wants.”
“Yeah, but you’re the only father figure she’s ever had, man. You’re the one who raised her, protected her. Loved her. The respectful thing to do is to have a conversation with you and tell you that I love her, and she’s mine now.”
His eyes darken at that. “Yours?”
“Are you going to stand there and tell me that Millie isn’t yours?” I nod when his brows pull together in a frown. “Exactly. Your sister is mine. I’ll make sure she never wants for anything, and that includes a safe place. I’m her safe place. Have been since she was little.”
“I know. Bridger, what she and the others went through—”
“I know most of it and what I wasn’t aware of, she’s filling in the holes as bad moments come up. Which, you’ll be happy to hear, aren’t all that often.”
His shoulders drop at that.
“She won’t go near the chickens at the ranch, and she has a panic attack whenever they’re mentioned.”
He takes a swig of his beer and nods. “Yeah. And you know why?”
“I do. Fuck, Holden.” I push my hand through my hair and pace away from him, and then back again. “Fuck.”
“Listen, you’re as much a brother to me as it gets. All of you are my family,” Holden says as he sets his beer aside and crosses his arms over his chest again. “You know I’m not going to tell you to stay away from my girl. We already talked this out.”