Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 175(@200wpm)___ 140(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“I love you,” I tell him. I plan on saying those words to him as much as possible.
“I love you too.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Now tell me you know I need you. Tell me that you know I’ll do anything for you. That while I might be controlling when I’m worrying over you and obsessively possessive of you, you know it’s you who holds the power, even if I’m three times your size.”
"I know." I press my mouth to his, letting our kiss wash away my negative thoughts that I'm not enough. Ones that were planted by people who wanted to keep me down.
All Rich has shown me is love and sweetness. "I know," I repeat when we break the kiss.
"That's my girl."
Chapter Eighteen
RICH
“Just remember I don’t think anyone was trying to do harm,” Fallon whispers from beside me. Did they intend to cause harm? To us, no, but could there have been some? Absafuckinglutely. I give her hand a squeeze, trying to reassure her I’m not going to murder anyone.
“I’m not going to kill King.” That would break my sister’s heart. I have spent most of my life trying to protect her even when she had no clue that’s what I was doing. I couldn't shield her from everything, but I was able to take most of the brunt. I’m pissed that Fallon was put in the line of danger, though.
“Or hit him again.” I gave her a rundown of what happened between King and me. I don’t want her thinking I’m hiding anything from her. I’ll give her what I can, and what I hide will only ever be to protect her unless she pushes me to know everything.
Fallon peeks up at me. Her cheeks are still a rosy red from our shower and the orgasms I’d given her. I would still be in bed if not for her father and the shithead that thought he was tough. But with that hanging over us and needing to be dealt with, I knew I needed to get up.
If not for them, I could’ve stayed there all day, and I wasn’t one prone to be still. Fallon has become all-consuming, but in a way I didn’t know I needed. I’m always wanting more with her. I have never felt that way about another person in my life. Even the love I have for her is different.
I love my sister and Teddy; hell, even Teddy’s mom is like an aunt to me. But what I have with Fallon is a different kind of love. One that runs through every inch of me. It’s become a part of my soul and who I am.
You never know what you need sometimes until it’s right there in front of you, and it leaves you wondering how you ever lived without it before. That’s the thing. I’m not sure I was living.
“I make no promises.” I give her a smirk, trying to be playful so she’s not so worried.
“Rich.” Fallon lets out a small huff that I find adorable. I love that she’s expressing herself more and more. I don’t want her to hide in fear or doubt. I want my girl to find herself and speak up.
“It’s all right.” I tug her close, dropping another kiss on her head before we enter the kitchen. I know everyone is there. I gave them the heads-up that we were coming down. I’m sure they all quickly scrambled to get down here. My sister and Teddy at least, which would bring King and West with them.
“Morning!” Teddy chirps the second we enter the kitchen.
"Morning," Fallon responds. All eyes are on us.
"Can we not make the situation awkward for her?"
"Right!" Teddy flips a pancake.
"Orange juice?" my sister asks Fallon.
"That would be nice." I lead her over to the kitchen island, pulling out a chair for her. We have a very nice formal dining room, but we always end up here.
Willa sets the glass down in front of Fallon, and she thanks her. The kitchen falls quiet again except for the sounds of Teddy cooking. I'm about to speak up when Fallon beats me to it.
“I’m guessing after last night everyone knows that was my fiancé.” A deep growl rumbles uncontrollably from me. Fallon elbows me in the side.
“He's not your fiancé.”
“The man my father ordered me to marry.” Fallon places her hand on my chest.
"We know who your father is and all about the other man," King admits with a nod. "Your father has been betting on my fights for a few years now. He doesn't often attend them, but he bets on them and streams them."
That means he's been watching me. He's going to get an up-close and personal fight real fucking soon.
"I bet you know more about him than I do," Fallon says with a frown. King's eyes meet mine, letting me know she might not want to know more about the piece of shit she calls her father.