Chapter 6 #2
“News that I’m still undecided about.” Ford stretches with his hands behind his head.
“I mean, love to have you in the family, Hadley. I knew you two little rascals’ constant jabbing was a sign of something.
It’s just… wow.” He breathes out and swipes a hand through his hair.
“This came out of nowhere. Marriage is big. My son and I will be having a talk about responsibilities very soon.”
“A lot of talks. Thrilling,” Connor mumbles.
Brielle brings her hands together. “I think we can declare dinner… postponed.” She grabs the entire bottle of wine. “We’ll reschedule for a day when hunting my son doesn’t seem to be on the agenda.”
“I second that. Oh my, I guess this means you’re going to live with your husband.
” My mom looks at me blankly then seems to shake it off.
“Now I need to figure out a wedding gift.” My mom deflates and sits on a chair at the kitchen island.
She then enthusiastically waves to Brielle.
“We should book them the honeymoon suite at the Dizzy Duck in town.”
“I love that idea!” Brielle grins.
I lean gently into Connor’s space. “If they mention consummating the marriage, run,” I mumble under my breath.
“No shit,” he responds, with his face concerned as he stares at our moms’ excitement.
“I think you both should head out and enjoy your wedding week… Gosh, I did not just say that.” Ford blows out a breath.
I turn to face Connor, and he must see my exhaustion and somber mood. I’ve just experienced whiplash several times over. He does something that surprises me; he leans in to kiss my forehead. Softly, sweetly, and I don’t feel a shade of falseness.
“Come on, Sprinkles,” he whispers and takes my hand.
I do my best to suppress the light feeling I feel when our palms touch.
Luckily, I followed Connor in my car, so we were saved from awkward conversation.
Connor has a house in a subdivision in the hills, overlooking the lake, heavily wooded but with barely any neighbors.
Mostly, it’s sports guys who train here or vacation homes that are only filled in peak summer season.
By no means are these houses cookie cutter; they all sell for a solid seven figures.
I’ve been here once when he had a party, and Isla dragged me along. It’s a modern place, which I know his mom had a hand in decorating.
It doesn’t matter. I can barely see straight from exhaustion.
Arriving at the front door, Connor looks at me, and his lips twitch right before he steps forward and is quick to throw me over the shoulder before I can protest. “Carrying the bride over the threshold, right?”
I can’t help but let a giggle escape. My traitorous body seems to enjoy his effort, even if it is to tease me. “Put me down,” I tell him. I don’t think I mean it, but I can’t let him know my enjoyment from this.
He twirls me around before setting me at the bottom of the stairs. “Welcome home.”
“Home,” I scoff before I walk straight up the stairs with Connor in tow.
“The guest room doesn’t have any sheets on the bed,” he states.
I turn at the top of the stairs to face him, stopping him from taking the final step as my body acts as a gate to the upstairs hall. “Where are the sheets?” I sound only slightly agitated.
“Hell if I know. The housekeeper that comes once a week takes care of that stuff.” Of course, he wouldn’t be capable of living independently. His whole life he’s been doted on by his mother and most women within a fifty-mile radius.
I huff out a breath, and I’m past the point of caring. I march down the hall directly to his room, and yeah, I know it’s his room because my radar just sends me on roads that lead to Connor Spears.
Ignoring him, I slide up my dress and swing it to the side where it lands on the floor. I walk straight to the dresser, taking my bra off in the process before I open the drawer, not afraid about what I might find, grab one of his t-shirts, and throw it on.
He doesn’t say anything, just watches me from where he stands in the doorway, enthralled, even though I ensured that he could only see my back in the process.
I flop onto the soft bed, landing on my stomach, already feeling like heaven hit my head.
“I just don’t care anymore. I’ve slept two hours in a forty-eight-hour period, got married by mistake, broke my father’s heart, and have you as my husband.
I’m tired and want to sleep. It’s a dire situation that I’m sleeping in your bed, even though make no mistake, I’m not a puck bunny that you bring home, so burn this damn mattress tomorrow. ”
He snickers, and I get a glimpse of him peeling his shirt up and over his head as he walks toward the bed. “It’s a new mattress, Sprinkles. Get a new one every year due to wear n’ tear.”
I may be drowsy on tiredness but even I hear the humor in his tone.
“Good. A new mattress is one less thing we need to worry about.” I begin to close my eyes on the indulgent pillow that my cheek rests against.
His chuckle is low and in the back of his throat as I feel his body cause the mattress to dip. “Sharing a bed was in your plan. That’s good. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He places his phone to the side, and I vaguely hear him mention he got an email about a photoshoot tomorrow, but my eyes give out and sleep takes over, as I lie in Connor Spears’s bed, my doting husband.