“To see how you feel about her, or rather about him talking to you about her.”
So itisa test.
Well, fuck that shit.
“I don’t know what you think you’re discovering or what you’re playing at, but you can forget about me taking part in any of it.”
He’s silent before he clears his throat, and I can only hope he’s rethinking his little plan or any future ones that he may be thinking about. Because, no thank you; I do not wish to participate.
“Why do you give a shit that he called you?” Bullet asks. “And be fucking honest. It’s not because I didn’t warn you; it’s because of what he said. You wanted to brace to talk to the man whose fiancée you’re protecting? Why?”
A growl slowly rolls up my chest, then my throat, and finally comes out of my mouth. He hears it, I know he does, because heactually fucking chuckles. The asshole. Instead of calling him on anything, I decide this conversation isn’t worth my time.
“Don’t hand my number out to anyone who doesn’t need it.”
Ending the call, I shove my phone in my back pocket and decide that I’m done for today. Whatever else Lainey needs to do in her shop, she can tackle in the morning. Hell, I might even fucking help her.
I walk toward the shop and only stop when the front door of the bakery swings open and the women flood outside and onto the sidewalk—all of them except the one I want to see. But it’s Posey who stops in front of me, directly in front of me, which surprises me.
Tipping my head down, I tilt it to the side and take her in. She’s obviously all fired up about something; I can see it in her eyes. They’re wild and pissed as hell all at the same time. I cross my arms over my chest, bracing for what’s to come. I do know that I’d rather deal with all these old ladies peppering me with questions than Paul, the fucker.
“I told Lainey, but I thought I would share with you, too. The information may or may not be useful. Do with it what you will, but Ivy always writes an out into every contract he creates. This one won’t be any different. You know, if things were to change.”
Her words are interesting. “And Lainey said what?” I ask.
She shakes her head once, her gaze flicking from mine to her feet, but she doesn’t bring it back up, and that’s when I realize what Lainey has said. She doesn’t want out. That’s fine. As much as I wish we could have a wonderful life together, I don’t think I could make her happy. Not in the long run—I wouldn’t know how.
“You know what, don’t tell me. It doesn’t matter anyway,” I state.
I begin to move past them. Thankfully, they step to the side to allow it, but not before I feel fingers wrap around my wristto halt me. Dipping my chin, I look at those fingers, then slowly slide my gaze up the arm it’s attached to, before I find her gaze.
It’s Millie.
“She’s my sister,” she whispers. “She belongs here with us. I know maybe she’s not ready to accept that, or to see that. But she does. Be there for her when she’s ready because I know you’re the one she ultimately dreams of being with.”
Without another word, her hand falls from mine, and I watch as the women all walk away, as if they are one single unit. Shifting my attention back to the bakery, I reach for the door, tugging it open before I slip inside and flip the lock into place behind me.
I didn’t tell Millie that I want to keep Lainey. I didn’t tell her how much I wish I could lock her away in my room. Keep her there forever. I wish I could love her, make love to her. I wish I could give her babies and make her not just my old lady, but also my wife.
I don’t know if I’m capable of any of that. And I won’t take her with me to just fuck her over in the end. She deserves a shot at happiness. Even if I’m selfishly taking advantage of her right now, which is exactly what I’m doing while saying it’s to make her happy.
Really, it was because I was hoping the reality of her wasn’t going to be as good as I’d imagined. I was wrong. So goddamn wrong. The reality of Lainey-Rose is better than I could have ever fathomed.
Lainey-Rose is a sexy, beautiful, breathless dream come true.
LAINEY
He’s standing across the bakery from me, and he looks like he wants to eat me, like I’m fresh-baked bread and he can’t wait tosink his teeth into me. And I want him to do all of that and more.
Right here—right now.
I open my mouth to ask him if everything is okay, but the words don’t come out. Instead, my breath hitches as he begins to make his way toward me. One foot then the other, step by step, until he’s directly in front of me, so close that I can feel his body heat against my own.
Tipping my head back, I look up into his eyes. “Gunnar,” I exhale.
His lips twitch into a smirk. I think he’s going to speak, like maybe he’s got something to say, but he doesn’t. Instead, he lowers his head, and his mouth touches mine. He doesn’t deepen the kiss, but he does lean down and wrap his hands around the backs of my thighs before he picks me up.
“I’m going to fuck you, Lainey.”