Page 107 of Conflict
ALL SEEMSwell the next morning. Branson’s more attentive of Ariana than usual, which is saying something because as her pregnancy progresses, he lets her out of his sight less and less. In fact, when they weren’t sure she could fly, Branson said he’d either miss the wedding or hire a private jet to make it happen.
Since we’re all here, you can guess which he chose.
My own anger over the situation last night has faded. I didn’t allow Alyssa out of my arms throughout the night. After the scare, I just needed to hold her close, to reassure myself she was fine.
And now, as I study her, I’m finally examining the gamut of emotions I went through in such a short time last night.
She turns onto her stomach and kicks her feet up behind her. Peering down at me over her sunglasses, she purses her lips. “Why do you call me sunshine?” she asks. “I’ve been meaning to ask, but, well, you keep my mouth otherwise occupied.”
I grin at the memories. When it comes to cock—mine specifically—my woman is ravenous. That’s a good thing, because as a tit-for-tat man, I’ve never tasted anything sweeter than her.
“It’s going to sound stupid.”
Alyssa nibbles on her bottom lip. “Try me, stud.”
“I like the way your mind works,” I tell her, going to lean in, but she holds a hand to my chest.
“Uh-uh. You have to answer me before you get any sugar.”
God, I love this woman.
And that thought has me falling back against my chair.
I love her. Until right now, I had no fucking clue.
Okay, I’ve been feelingthings.I guess I just didn’t know what they meant until now.
Huh.
Well, shit.
What do I do now?
She snaps her fingers. “Earth to Shane!”
“I… I…”
I can’t say anything.
What the fuck?
She crawls onto my lounge chair and straddles my hips. “Shane Wellington, you’re speechless.” She leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips. “You can tell me later when we don’t have an audience.”
And before I can say a word, Alyssa’s tucking Sarah’s arm into hers and walking away.
I watch, because, hello, she looks fantastic from behind. I’m so mesmerized, so I don’t realize I’m no longer alone until a towel hits me in the side of the head.
I glance up to see Branson grinning down at me.
“What the fuck, man?”
“It finally happened, didn’t it?” he asks, because of course, if anyone knows what it’s like to love a Covington woman, it’s him.
“No,” I tell him honestly.
He frowns, so I continue.
“I’ve only just realized it happened a long damn time ago.”
