Page 75 of Unpredictable
“How far away is the wedding?” Alexis asked.
“Four weeks. But that’s not the point.” I dried my tears.
“I know it’s not.” Her tone was gentle. “But…I guess, are you concerned he won’t follow through on telling Olivia after the wedding’s over?”
“I don’t know.” I massaged my temples. “Maybe.”
Harper frowned.
“I’m trying to be understanding,” I said. “I mean, I get that he loves his daughter and doesn’t want to take away from her wedding day. But this isn’t just a fling. We live together, and I’m—” I shook my head, swallowing back the words.
“You’re not going to like what I have to say,” Alexis said.
“What’s that?”
We all turned to her, curious. “He makes you happy. And he’s the one who asked you to move in—that has to count for something.”
“True.”
“And telling your child about someone you’re dating is hard—no matter what age they are. Harrison has a great relationship with his daughter, and I know you don’t want to come between them.”
“You’re right.” I slumped. “I know you’re right.” And she was. I certainly didn’t want to ruin Olivia’s dream day or her relationship with Harrison.
“It’ll work itself out,” Alexis said. “You’ll see.”
I nodded, and the conversation turned to other matters. We stayed out there until all the champagne and most of the cheese was gone. Hunter came to drive us all home, and I paused at the front door, preparing myself for this moment. The final goodbye.
“You ready?” Alexis asked.
I nodded, removing the house key from my key chain and placing it in her palm. I closed her fingers over it, lending the moment a sense of finality. With one last glance at the kitchen and backyard, at the home I’d lived in for the past five years, I closed the door.
“Thank you for all your help,” I said as we headed down the sidewalk toward Hunter’s car. “And thanks for coming today for the final walk-through.”
“Of course. And you’re sure you got everything? Took all the pictures you wanted?”
“Yes. I’m good.”
Surprisingly good, in fact. I felt—lighter somehow. Like I’d shed the weight of the past few years. Shed the emotional baggage I’d been holding on to. Now I felt as if I could truly move on with Harrison, without Ryan looming over me. I just needed him to get with the program and tell his daughter.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Mm. Good morning.” I nuzzled into Juliana’s neck, inhaling her sweet scent.
She pressed her ass into my hard-on, making it impossible to think. We’d been living together for almost two months now, and I was still ravenous for her. It was a wonder we got any sleep.
“Mm,” she moaned as I slid my hand up her stomach to tease the underside of her breasts. “Morning.”
I continued to touch her as she ground against me, our breathing becoming labored, bodies rocking against each other. Her skin was smoother than the organic cotton sheets enveloping the bed, her body warm and inviting. She turned her head, kissing me over her shoulder as I continued to explore her body.
She reached between her legs, pressing me to her center.
“You feel so good,” I rasped.
I tweaked her nipple, eager to slide inside her. I was on the verge of doing just that when her alarm went off.
She groaned, reaching over to the nightstand to switch it off. She turned, pecking my lips before rolling over, away from me.Oh, hell no.
I grabbed her around the waist, hauling her back into bed. “Where do you think you’re going?”
