Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“God, you’re such a showoff,” Oren said.
Brogan set the boxes where I gestured to the others by the door before coming to lean over the couch with me and Ash. “I’m not. I’m just doing double the work to make up for you lying around.”
“Well, I did double the work last night with those girls we brought home.”
“Yeah, fucking right. You did not,” Brogan denied.
I held up my hands to cut them off. “I do not need to hear any more of this conversation, thank you very much.”
Thankfully, Parker chose that moment to return from downstairs before Oren could ignore my request. “The movers are here. Do you want us to start bringing things down?”
“God, no,” I said. “You guys have been more than helpful, helping me pack all my things up.”
“Although, we unfortunately didn’t get to stumble across any unmentionables,” Ash grumbled.
I laughed. “Shiloh came yesterday to help with those things first. And thanks to all of you, I don’t have to deal with strangers rummaging through my things and packing them carelessly.”
“Yeah, the laminated directions for each of us made sure carelessness never happened,” Brogan said flatly with a forced smile.
“And I thank you for it.”
“Always here to help,” Oren called from the couch. “Are you sure you don’t want more help?”
“As helpful as you’ve been, Oren,” I deadpanned, “Lucian said he would provide the movers. So, I’m going to make sure I get his money’s worth.”
Once the movers got started—after requesting pictures and autographs with the band—the guys got ready to go.
Ash reached me before the others. “So, I guess this means I won’t be receiving any texts anytime soon?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Probably not. I can’t imagine that would go over well with Lucian.”
“Bummer. After our last interaction, I’ve been doing some research. Turns out, I have a side of me I never knew existed that loves being a dominant. According to women I’m exploring with, I’m good at it too.”
“Why am I not surprised?” I rolled my eyes. “Make sure those women have my address to send thank you cards to.”
Ash barked a laugh before sobering and lowering his voice. Not that anyone had heard our conversation up until that point. “In all seriousness, if you ever need me, you can always call, and I’ll be there. I mean, the sex was a definite perk…” He winked. “But I know there’s more behind it. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t reach out if you’re stressed and need someone to lean on.”
At first, I stiffened, struggling with the need to deny ever being out of control of my emotions. But this was Ash—my friend. Even if he came over for the sex relief, he always stayed and managed to get me to talk without forcing me into it. My muscles relaxed, and I looped my hand around his and squeezed, swallowing the lump his offer lodged in my throat.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
I just hoped I wouldn’t need to take him up on his offer. I hadn’t since the last time he came over. Between losing control in scenes with Lucian and finding a release from stress with spanking, I hadn’t needed anything other than that.
The rest of the guys joined us, ending our private conversation.
“I’m not going to lie,” Parker said. “I’m surprised you’re the next to get married after me. Despite all the jokes, I assumed it would be Oren.”
“Really?” Oren asked, his face pinched in confusion.
“Yeah. I was sure I’d get a phone call from you, preparing me for the leaked photos in the tabloids of you marrying some random woman in Vegas on a drunken escapade.”
Oren’s brows furrowed, and he looked up. Then he shrugged in complete acceptance. “I want to argue that, but honestly, that sounds exactly like something I would do.”
The guys laughed before lining up for hugs.
Parker was the last and stayed back until the others were out of earshot. “Are you sure about all this?”
Taking in the concern darkening his eyes, I realized that this would be my future for at least the next month.
Despite not covering much in Lucian’s office, we did agree that we needed to start telling people this coming week. Right now, the guys and Shiloh were the only people who knew. Although they were the friends closest to me, I knew others would want to add their two cents into my decision as well. Which meant my future held a lot more of being pulled aside and asking if I was sure.
And if I wanted to make it through all those nosy conversations, I needed to stop acting like I was some wild animal Lucian had captured and taken to a zoo where I would be trapped forever against my will. If I wanted to make other people believe that this was the real marriage Lucian claimed, then I needed to pretend I believed it was too. So, I slapped on a smile I hoped reached my eyes and did just that.