Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
She wasn’t going back to that place.
All three of them glared at her. She actually took a step back. It was so unexpected.
“I… um… what is it?”
“I thought we agreed you were moving in with me,” Marcus said in a low voice.
She licked her dry lips. “I can’t. I don’t expect you to open your home for me.”
“It’s your home too,” Marcus said.
“Marcus,” she said quietly. That was so sweet. But it wasn’t true.
“Tell her, Cullen,” Marcus demanded.
Cullen sighed and looked heavenward, as though praying for patience. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen him do this. “We can’t make her move in with us, Marcus.”
Marcus glared at his cousin, opening his mouth to argue.
Cullen gave the other man a look. “However, it wouldn’t sit right with us to drop you off at a hotel, Isla. We’d much rather have you with us. Where we can keep an eye on you. Like family does for one another.”
Family?
Tears filled her eyes, and she dropped her gaze so they didn’t notice. She knew he didn’t mean it. However, it still sent this strange thrill through her. A mix of longing and dread.
It was hard to explain. But when someone offered you something that you’d wanted all your life… yeah, it was big.
He’s just saying that.
You’re not family.
She should insist on the hotel. Obviously, she was getting way too close to them all. Which was a terrible idea.
Dear lord. She didn’t know what to do. Making decisions all day every day was just so draining. Knowing what was right or wrong, hoping like hell she didn’t make mistakes.
Yeah, it was stressful. But she managed.
Mostly.
However, right now, she didn’t have the energy to manage anything more.
“You’re coming home with us.” Marcus let go of her hand and wrapped an arm around her. “No arguments.”
“All right,” she agreed. “For tonight at least.”
Marcus scowled, not looking happy about that. And she hated that. She had this innate need to please the people around her.
“Where did this bossy side come from?” she said teasingly, hoping to get him to smile.
“Hmm. I don’t know. It seems to come out when you’re threatened.” Then he pointed his thumb at Cullen as they started walking along the hallway. “I guess I learned it from the big guy. He’s the king of the bossy britches.”
“He sure is,” Ivy agreed. She squealed as Cullen smacked her ass and stared up at him with a pout. “Ouch.”
“There’s more where that came from,” Cullen warned.
But Isla could see the twinkle in his eyes and knew he didn’t really mean it.
Marcus kept her pressed close to his side as they walked out of the building. She couldn’t help but lean into him, drawn to his scent and the happiness his touch brought her.
It was amazing how much lighter she felt when he was around.
Cullen held open the door for Ivy, then turned to lift her in, putting her in the special booster seat. The other woman had been shy about showing her Little side around Isla when she’d first moved in. But she was much more comfortable now.
Isla didn’t judge.
But sometimes she felt a tiny bit jealous. There were times she wished she could let go of the tight control she had on herself.
Marcus led her around to the other side. She raised her eyebrows as he opened the door.
“Gentlemanly of you,” she said.
“Hey, I know how to be a gentleman. I can be a gentle and I’m all man.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, making her giggle. “If you know what I’m saying.”
“We all know what you’re saying. We’ve all seen your manly bits. Many, many, many times,” Cullen said dryly as he walked around the car.
Her smile grew as she climbed in.
“Poor Cullen, I know it’s been hard on you,” Marcus replied with mock sympathy. “It’s difficult to know you’ll never measure up to your more handsome, smarter, more sociable, and much, much, much bigger cousin. But you do your best. And your best is well… okay.” Reaching over, he rubbed the bigger man’s arm.
Cullen just shook his head, grumbling as he got into the front seat of the car.
Marcus grinned down at her. She gave him a stern look. But inwardly she was giggling. And he knew it.
Then, to her shock, rather than closing the door, he leaned down and started climbing in.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Getting in with you. Scoot over.”
“You won’t fit.”
He gave a dramatic gasp. “Are you saying my butt is big?”
“No! I’m not saying that.”
“You are. You’re saying my butt is too big! Ivy, are you hearing this?” he pleaded.
“Don’t bring me into this argument,” Ivy said quietly.
He grumbled something quietly and pushed Isla along until he could sit next to her. She was squished between him and the booster seat.
“Marcus, you’re squishing Isla. Get in the front,” Cullen grumbled.