Page 90 of Roan

“Nah, I like my quiet in the mornings,” she says.

I do too, which is why I used to spend a good portion of my morning locked away in my room. And basically, Ophelia is living with me and soon, traveling with me. Our flights to Africa are booked, and then Austria. If I don’t have the “living together” title, at least I have the “traveling together” one down.

Twisting her head, she kisses my cheek. “I have contracts to review.” And then she laughs, leaning in to kiss me once more. This time on my lips. I savor the feeling, grip her sides and try to draw her in closer again, but she resists. “How do you feel about underwear ads?”

“I prefer to go without.” I slip my hand up the front of her dress, but she knocks my hand away and leans in for another kiss.

“Stop distracting me. I have work to do.”

“On my cock,” I mumble against her lips, careful not to let the prying eyes around us in on our conversation. And then she leaves. Just like that. Completely disappointing.

Smiling, I don’t want her to leave but I know she has work to do before we leave for Ensenada. The wedding, by the way, days away.

You’re probably wondering how Shade and Scarlet are doing after the surprise baby right before they’re set to get hitched, aren’t you?

This is my story, damn it. Who gives a fuck.

Just kidding. Take a look at them. Shade is standing next to her, basically doing everything and anything she says in fear she’s going to break down in tears.

Scarlet, she’s sporting a tiny baby bulge and glowing. And is pissed at Tiller.

All.

The.

Time.

He can’t do anything right these days. To be fair, it’s deserving. He is constantly pushing her buttons. It’s a game to him, one he insists on winning. “I don’t see why we have to go today,” Tiller groans, lifting his head up from where he’s been lying across the table next to River. Training for a desert race is taking a toll on him for sure. “You’re not getting married for two days.”

“Because we do. We have rehearsals and after that shit you three pulled at the bachelor party, I’m not risking it,” Scarlet points out. “I’m not letting the groom out of my sight for the next forty-eight hours.”

Tiller rolls his eyes, pouring himself another cup of coffee. “Northwest, you’re being a real asshole.”

Scarlet whips her head around and scowls, a knife in her hand as she stands at the counter spreading cream cheese on a bagel. Amberly grins, taking the bagel from Scarlet and carries it over to River.

River looks up from the iPad in front of her, to her dad, Amberly, then Scarlet, watching all our reactions with a smile.

“Tiller,” Shade warns, a smile tugging at his lips. “She’s going to fucking kill you if you don’t stop.”

I’m sure after the strip club incident last week, Shade wants to kill Tiller too. I won’t go into much detail, but Shade’s bachelor party, planned by Tiller, took place at a high-class strip joint in LA. We were all asked not to return to that particular establishment after we snuck a minor with us, and Shade burned his jeans that night. Let’s just say it wasn’t our brightest plan, but at least we didn’t end up in jail. Arrested, yes, thanks to Tiller, but Carl managed to talk them out of an arrest.

With little regard for Shade’s warning, Tiller leaves the room, upset about who the hell knows.

Camden sits next to me. “I packed a bag. My dad said I could stay with you guys at the hotel. As the best man, I thought that would only be appropriate.”

“You’re not staying in our room with us, Cam-man,” Shade tells him.

“Why not?”

“Because we’re gonna be working on making more babies.”

“Oh.”

“I don’t see how he still allows you to hang out with these lunatics,” Amberly notes, pouring a glass of orange juice for River, the morning sun reflecting off the lilac in her hair.

I smile at her. “We’ve told him to go home more than once. Now it’s an enter at your own risk.”

“I’m not drinking that.” River frowns and pushes the orange juice away. “It’s orange.”

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