Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 41327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41327 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
"I'm good." I nod, surprised to find it's true. The fear from minutes ago has receded, replaced by a strange calm.
Jack's expression softens, his thumb brushing my swollen bottom lip. "Beau's harmless. Big mouth, bigger ego, heart of actual gold." A rare grin breaks across his face. "Also seems to be the catch of Wildfire, no one seems to be able to get their hooks in him, but they try. He’s the pretty brother."
I laugh, the sound unexpected even to me. "Sounds like someone I need to meet."
Jack's playfulness vanishes instantly, his hand sliding to my throat, thumb pressing just firmly enough that I feel my pulse against it. "Need to meet, huh?" His voice drops an octave, eyes darkening. "Maybe I need to remind you your tongue was just tracing my name on my cock. J-A-C-K, remember? Not B-E-A-U. Or do you need another lesson?"
The possessive heat in his gaze makes my knees weak, but I catch the tiny quirk at the corner of his mouth—he's playing with me, in his own dominant way.
"Just teasing, Daddy," I whisper, watching his pupils dilate at the word.
His grip relaxes, turning into a caress. "Better be." He winks, mood shifting again as he pulls me toward the door. "Come on. Time to show you off, let the family see what's tamed the mountain man."
I stand on shaky legs as Jack opens the door. Sunlight spills in, temporarily blinding after the cabin's dimness. Jack's hand finds the small of my back, guiding me outside.
Beau's truck sits in the clearing—too clean, too shiny, tires making the gravel hiss. He climbs out, all swagger and smirks, looking so similar to Jack it makes my head spin. But, yeah, he’s more refined, I guess. Not really pretty, but not as rugged as Jack.
Same eyes, same jawline, but softer somehow. Less weathered. Less... mine.
He climbs the porch steps, pauses when he sees me, one foot on the top step, knee bent, leaning into the railing. His eyes flick from my bare legs to Jack's possessive stance between him and me.
"Guess you're the reason he hasn't answered his phone all week," he drawls, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes.
"Did something happen?" I ask, suddenly worried.
Beau's smirk softens, just slightly. "Nah. Just checking on my brother. And looks like he's been... occupied."
His gaze drops to my bare legs again, and I feel Jack's body tense. Before I can blink, Jack's hands are on my waist, pulling me into a kiss that’s as much performance as it is passion. Deep, thorough and claiming.
When he breaks the kiss, he doesn't release me, just shifts me slightly so I'm nestled against his side, his hand possessively high on my bare thigh.
"Yup. Occupied." Beau grins, hands raised in mock surrender.
"You need something, or you just here to waste my morning?" Jack's voice rumbles through me, the vibration settling between my legs.
Beau leans against the porch railing. "Can't a man check on his brother? You disappeared without a word."
"Been busy," Jack says simply, fingers tracing circles on my thigh.
Beau's gaze shifts to me, assessing but not unkind. "So you're Hart's girl?"
I nod, leaning into Jack's warmth. "Delaney."
"Well, well," Beau says, his eyes darting between us before settling on me. "Hart's daughter, huh? Heard a lot about your dad."
"You knew my father?" I ask, leaning slightly into Jack's warmth.
Beau nods, a shadow of something unreadable crossing his face. "Good man. Best Jack ever served with." His gaze shifts to his brother, a silent communication passing between them before his trademark smirk returns. "Never thought I'd see the day this one let anyone up his mountain. Let alone move in."
Jack's hand tightens possessively on my thigh. "You drove all the way up here just to state the obvious?"
"Nah," Beau chuckles, leaning against the porch railing. "Came to remind you about Sunday. Mom's memorial, remember? Five years this weekend. Dinner at Colt’s place after the cemetery."
I feel Jack tense beside me, his fingers stilling on my skin. "I remember."
"Bring her," Beau says, nodding toward me. "Been a long time since we had anyone new at the table. Might keep us from the same old fights."
Jack's chest rumbles with something between a growl and a laugh. "You done?"
"For now." Beau nods at me again. "Nice to meet you, Delaney. Welcome to the family."
As he walks back to his truck, Jack's arm wraps around me, his chin resting on top of my head. I feel the steady thump of his heart against my back, solid and sure.
"He's right, you know," Jack murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "You broke me. Put me back together different."
I turn in his arms, looking up at the man who's claimed me so completely. Forty-two and scarred and everything I never knew I needed. "Good different?"
His eyes darken as he lifts me against him. My legs wrap around his waist instinctively, my core pressed against the hardness already returning beneath his jeans.