Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Conrad, this is Aurora, and her sister, Aspen.”
He steps next to me and takes my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. “Hello, beautiful,” he coos.
“Back off, Con,” Grant all but growls. The sound has Conrad’s grin growing wider.
“Is that how it is, big brother?” he asks. There is mischief in his voice, and the smile tells me he likes to rile his brother up.
“That’s how it is,” Grant says, stepping a little closer to me. The warmth of his skin seeps into me, and my shoulders relax. I don’t understand how I can be so comfortable with him in such a short amount of time.
“And this one?” Conrad points to Aspen.
“This one can speak for herself, and I’d back off if I were you, Con,” Aspen says sweetly, repeating Grant’s earlier words.
Conrad throws his head back in laughter. In a couple of long strides, he’s around the huge kitchen island and grabbing my sister's hand, pulling it to his lips just as he did with me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, beautiful,” he says, laying on the Riggins charm.
“Aspen.” My sister corrects him with a laugh. She is not the least bit affected by his antics.
“What’s going on?” another guy says.
“Marshall, this is Aurora, and her sister, Aspen,” Grant introduces us.
“Ladies,” Marshall croons. “Brother, you didn’t tell me you were bringing me new friends,” he says, sliding up next to me.
“Marsh,” Grant warns.
“’Bout fucking time.” A voice comes from behind us.
I turn to look over my shoulder, and a tall guy with a thick beard and blue eyes, so much like Grant’s, is smiling. He has Layla pulled to his side—one arm around her waist and the other resting on her swollen belly.
“What did I miss?” another man, who is clearly a Riggins, asks. He looks down at the woman standing by his side. “Babe, what did I miss this time?” he says to her. The entire room erupts in laughter.
“Are you boys bothering your momma again? I’m starving,” adds an older man, who the five other men in the room closely resemble.
“The old man is my father, Stanley,” Grant starts, pointing out the newcomers. “That one’s Owen, and his fiancée, Layla, and my nephew.” Grant indicates toward Layla’s swollen belly. “This is Royce, and his wife, Sawyer. Everyone, this is Aurora, and her sister, Aspen.” Grant points behind us.
“Told you,” Owen and Royce say after all the introductions, hugs, and handshakes have taken place.
“Yeah,” Grant says, rubbing the back of his neck.
“This is going to be fun.” Royce rubs his hands together.
“What are they talking about?” I whisper to Grant.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head, clearly amused. Everyone begins to filter from the room at Lena’s instructions to make our way to the dining room.
“Grant,” I say, placing my hand on his arm. He immediately stops, and I have his full attention. I swallow back the fear of being ridiculed. “Tell me, please.” My voice is pleading. “I-I don’t want secrets. I can’t do secrets. I don’t know what this is, but I’ve been with a man who kept me in the dark. He kept me at arm’s length, and used me.” I swallow hard, stopping there. I’ve already said more than I ever intended to.
“Hey.” He cradles my face in the palm of his hands. “No secrets. They’ve been razzing me, telling me that when I fall, it’s going to be hard. I gave them both hell when they met my sisters-in-law, and this is payback for that. Nothing more, nothing less.”
I nod. I can’t speak over the emotions clogging my throat. Swallowing hard, I manage to push “Okay,” past my lips.
“You’re the first woman I’ve ever brought to dinner. My brothers and I, we don’t bring just anyone. She has to be special. We have to see more than just a few dates or a roll in the hay with her. They know that.”
“Just me?” I ask him.
“Yeah, baby. Just you.” He pulls me into a hug, holding me close to his chest. “No secrets,” he whispers. “Come on, let’s get in there before the vultures eat it all.” He eases back. “You good?” I nod. He studies me, searching for the truth. He must find what he’s looking for because he returns my nod and leads us into the dining room.
No one pays us any attention as he holds the chair out next to his and tells me to sit. I make eye contact with Aspen, who is sitting between Marshall and Conrad. I give her a subtle nod, and she smiles softly. It’s her way of telling me she’s here, and I have no doubt she’s going to grill me once we’re home.
Funny, I’m not dreading it. I need to talk to someone about today, about Grant, and about all of these damn butterflies.