Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
BAYLOR
“I’m an asshole,” a voice booms.
The dirty carpet stares back at me, although that’s definitely not what just spoke to me. It was my brother. I’m just not ready to turn around and look at him. It’s time to work on my flooring in my bedroom, something I decided today while I was exercising Apple.
If I’m going to have Emily move in here, I’d better get the bedroom, the bathrooms, and the kitchen put together. Fuck, I’m going to be working on this place until my fingers bleed.
But for tonight, I figured I could pull the carpet up in the bedroom, then go to Emily. When my brother doesn’t say anything else, I know he’s waiting for me to turn around and look at him. As much as I don’t want to give him what he wants, I know that this will just drag out if I don’t.
Standing, I straighten my knees, then turn around to look at him. Placing my feet wide, I cross my arms over my chest and tilt my head to the side, my gaze lifting up to meet his. He doesn’t speak right away, and I’m not going to say a fucking word first, because yeah, he’s an asshole.
“I shouldn’t have said all that shit,” he mutters.
Yeah, he’s sorry because his pregnant wife sent him over here to say just that. As much as I want to tell him that I don’t accept his apology, I also don’t want to make Maisie cry, so there is that.
“No, you shouldn’t have,” I state. “But I understand where you’re coming from.”
“Yeah?” he asks
I shrug a shoulder, my gaze never leaving his. I love my brother, and I would do anything for him. So I don’t tell him that he’s full of complete fucking shit. He’s not the kind of man to ever apologize, not without someone making him.
Just like when we were kids and our mom would force him to say he was sorry when he was a little jerk. It was never because he wanted to.
“We’re good,” I mutter, even if it’s a lie.
I’m not good with him, not yet, not until he realizes just how fucking wrong he was. Only then will I be good with him.
Until then, I’ll fake it.
Just like I always do when he pisses me off. It’s the way we are, and hopefully, it’ll work itself out like it always does. I can’t imagine working with my brother every single day while we’re at one another’s throats.
“I’m not going to a family party,” she states.
It’s cute how she thinks she’s not going to go to this when I know for a fact that she will. She knows she’s going, too. Because where the fuck else would she be?
I’ve claimed her.
She’s agreed.
She’s mine.
Wrapping my arms around her, I drag her body against mine. Feeling her warm, soft body pressed against my own, I wonder if maybe we don’t have to actually go anywhere at all. Perhaps we can just stay right here… alone.
I dip my chin and touch my mouth to hers. Her soft lips feel like heaven the second mine touch them. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the way she feels, her mouth, her body, her hands on me. It’s all better than I could ever imagine.
Emily moans, her lips parting, giving me the perfect opportunity to taste her. Slipping my tongue inside her mouth, I do just that and taste.
Perfection, just like every single time.
Breaking the kiss, I rest my forehead against hers and attempt to catch my breath. She curls her fingers around my biceps, holding on to me there, her breaths coming out in pants as she tips her head back to look up into my eyes.
“You’re going to a family party,” I grind out.
I’m about two seconds from fucking her right here in my half-renovated house. I brought her here to look at the place, a test to see if she even liked it. I’d hoped she would, because I don’t want to live anywhere else.
She does, which is a relief, but what I expected, especially since it means living on Cooper Ranch. I’m pretty sure I could build a one-room cabin, and she’d love that, too, as long as it came with living on the ranch and my last name.
Maybe that should bother me. Beckett seems to think it should, but it doesn’t. I feel like I know Emily well enough now that I am sure that my name was very much part of the reason she even gave me a second glance, but at the same time, it’s not the only reason she’s stayed.
There is something real between us. And even if nobody believes it, I don’t really give a shit, because I believe it.
She’s not just someone I chased and caught.
She’s not someone who is for passing the time.
I’ve fallen in love with her, and maybe it’s really fucking stupid of me, but I believe her when she says she loves me back.
The Ackermans’ place, the property, and the house have always been absolutely fucking perfect for a family. A big one. And now that we own it, it makes everything even better. But I have to admit, I was nervous about her reaction.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she would hate the renovations. It’s not like I consulted with any kind of designer or have any kind of style in mind. Hell, I don’t even know what a style would be. My brothers and I have just been doing shit to make it a decent place to live.
Then thoughts begin to swirl, almost making me feel dizzy and sick, because maybe I pegged her wrong, and she’s going to want something more lavish. The Cooper name might not be enough, even if I don’t think she’d be that way.
Stranger shit has happened, and Beckett seems to think she would be that way. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have demanded a prenup. Something I’m still pissed about.
“I think I should just stay here and help you renovate,” she murmurs. “You look like you could use some help.”
Pulling her closer to me, I tilt my head to the side and taste her in a hard, deep, quick kiss. Shifting my head back slightly, I look into her eyes, searching them for a moment before my lips curve up into a smile.
“Em,” I grunt, “we’re going to the party, then I’m going to take you back to your place and fuck you. Plus, what the fuck are you gonna help me do?”
“Paint?” she suggests, though the single word comes out more like a question.
Shaking my head from side to side, I try not to laugh. She’s adorable. Absolutely fucking adorable. “I’m not ready to paint yet. But when I am, you’ll be my first call to help me.”
It’s a lie. I won’t be calling her to help me paint. I might ask her for a paint color, but I’ll definitely be okay with her just watching me work… then kissing me, then doing all the other things in said room after it’s painted.