Page 95 of Dearest Protector

“No problem,” he replied. “And just so you know, I am not planning on checking in when I go on my honeymoon.”

I smirked. “Understood.”

Ian and I were still trying to figure out exactly how to run Blackwood together, and that meant I needed to learn to let go of some of my responsibilities as CEO.

The opportunity to lighten my workload wasn’t unwelcome because I was exhausted, but it wasn’t all that easy after years of handling everything at headquarters myself.

I nodded toward Ariel, Katie, and my mother. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

“I have no idea,” Ian answered drily. “But I’m sure Mom’s ecstatic because she may get to help plan more than one wedding in the next year or two.”

“Fucking hell,” I cursed. “Do you think I need to go rescue Ariel?”

Ian shook his head. “Nah. She doesn’t look the least bit uncomfortable. Whatever they’re saying, Ariel seems to have plenty of input of her own.”

“Mom gets a little carried away sometimes,” I reminded him.

“It looks to me like both Kate and Ariel can hold their own with her,” Ian observed.

I looked at Ariel, her head thrown back, her laughter ringing through the backyard because of something my mother had just said.

“Obviously,” I agreed.

She didn’t look like she needed rescue.

She looked…happy.

Relaxed.

Carefree.

And incredibly sexy and gorgeous.

My already hard cock twitched as I looked at her.

“I’ll give that no sex thing less than forty-eight hours,” Ian said as he scrutinized my face. “You look like you’re ready to pick her up and haul her out of here right now.”

I shook my head. “Earlier today, I wasn’t sure if we’d ever talk again. My dick can wait. She’s changing. She’s comfortable in her own skin. She’s happy, Ian.”

He lifted a brow. “And you don’t think that you’re a big part of that happiness, little brother?”

I shrugged. “Not really.”

“Maybe she is changing and figuring out who she is, but youarea big part of that, Ben,” he told me. “You helped her get here, and you’ll be there to support her as her career grows. Just like she’ll be there to help you learn how to let go of work sometimes, and to remind you that there’s more to life than Blackwood. She’ll be a true partner. Best damn feeling in the world if you ask me.”

I looked at Ian closely. “You’re really happy,” I stated.

“Yep,” he agreed. “I really am.”

That in itself was a miracle to me.

Not very long ago, my older brother hadn’t really cared if he lived or died.

Katie had changed everything for Ian.

She’d somehow managed to reach Ian when nobody else could.

Now, he’d not only rejoined life, but he was happier than I’d ever seen him before.

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