Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
“Yes, my mother lost it when I nearly bit it one day. I tumbled down these bad boys. Luckily, Silas was nearby and caught me before I hit more than five steps.”
“That’s awful. I’m glad you were safe in the end.”
“Yes, so were our parents,” she added.
“Forgive me for asking, but where are your parents?” I didn’t know anything about my husband or his family.
“They’re in the Maldives. An anniversary present.”
His sister jumped between us and threw her arms over our shoulders. “That’s why I’m staying here for the time being. They think that seventeen is too young to stay by yourself.”
“It’s not that, and you know it,” Silas snarled.
“With as many shows as I watch, I hated being left in the house alone. Every sound, creak, or animal in the woods would scare me,” I said.
“Well, you have us here. Me for another week. Him, well, you’re stuck with.” I didn’t mind that at all.
We entered the large dining room that was meant to host an entire party. “Please sit,” Silas said, holding the back of my chair. He dropped his head as he pushed my chair in, and I swore he breathed me in. Damn it, my thighs clenched together.
“Dude, I’m not sure why you’re not sharing a room. You’re all over her, and she’s about to burst with excitement over there.” I ducked my head to hide the flush that spread across my cheeks.
“Stay out of the grown-ups’ business, Reya.”
“Grown-ups? Seriously, you’re barely twenty-six, and my new sister is how old?” she questioned, a snarky attitude that was playful.
“Twenty-one,” Silas answered for me. He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I missed your birthday. It was the day after we first met.”
“You’re right,” I stammered. “When is yours?”
“December twenty-fifth.”
“You’re a Christmas baby? That’s so adorable.”
“Yeah, unless you’re a kid who is on break and all of your friends can’t make it because of the holiday,” Reya said.
“I didn’t really mind.” Silas shrugged his shoulders, unfazed or pretending to be so.
“That’s because you’re a freak,” she mocked him.
“You were an easy child, then?” I asked.
“For the most part, but I’m sure there were difficult moments.”
“Mom says he was perfect.” He shrugged again and went back to eating his food. I might be in the same vein as her. Silas was proving to be too good.
“Would you like some wine?” he asked, raising a nineteen ninety vintage red wine bottle.
“Yes, I would.”
Silas poured me a glass. His eyes lingered while he smiled so tenderly. “I hope it’s to your liking.”
I took a sip and fell in love with the bouquet. “It’s great, Silas.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased.”
I smiled at him over my glass. “So am I.”
Throughout dinner, the two of them bickered like fun siblings. “She’s a brat. Ignore her,” he grumbled when she mocked his brooding face. I loved his stern expression. The sharp jaw and strong chin softened under her teasing.
“He tries to ignore me, but he can’t,” Reya teased, sticking her tongue out at him. I laughed and then quickly covered my mouth.
“Are you laughing at me, my dear wife?” he asked, brow raised, mouth parted with his hand on his chest. My face heated with a mix of desire and amusement. His playful side was just as attractive as his brooding side.
I grinned, trying to fight another bout of laughter. “Maybe. The both of you are adorable.”
“Your babies are going to be sweet. I can’t wait until you guys make me an aunt,” Reya blurted out.
“They will be perfect,” Silas whispered, and then took another drink of wine.
I could hardly add anything throughout dinner because Reya loved to tell on her brother. Just as I was going to speak, his phone rang. He checked the screen and snarled to himself before sending it to voicemail. “Aren’t you going to answer it?”
“It’s not important.” His phone beeped with a notification. He read the message and then shook his head.
“Ladies, I’m sorry, but I have to deal with this.” He stood up and then walked over to my chair and kissed the top of my head before leaving the dining room.
“Don’t be upset. He doesn’t have another girlfriend or anything. My brother has been all about business since he could walk.”
I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that something wasn’t right about that call. “Do you think there is a big problem?”
“No.” The staff entered and asked if we were finished. With a nod, they took our plates, and Reya and I walked out of the dining room and into the sitting room. We sat and spoke about high school and her plans afterward.
Half an hour into our chat, I let out a yawn. “I’m getting tired.”
“Go get some sleep. I have some homework to do.” We headed upstairs and as we arrived at her room, she wrapped her arms around me. “My brother is crazy about you,” she whispered and then left me standing outside her door. I walked off to my room, thinking about her words. I hoped she was right.