Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
EVE
“ I t’s so hard to leave this place when I come to visit,” Savi gazes out into the ocean and sips her wine. She leaves tomorrow to go back up to Georgia, wanting to get settled in before school starts. Sophia and I wanted some girl time with her before she left, so when the guys took the kids to the beach after dinner, we stayed back.
“Why did you leave this place?” I glance out at the view from the back deck and can’t imagine ever wanting to move out of Blue Haven. I was surprised when Ryder told me how she was going to school up in Georgia. I always thought she would stay here and choose a college close to her family. I know she loves this place as much as I do.
“The typical reason that most run away after high school. It’s either to get away from their family or wanting to get away because of a guy.”
“I’m assuming, since your family is amazing, that it’s the latter. You know,” Sophia says, studying her. “As much as we have talked, you never did tell me what happened to make you want to move away.”
“That’s because I don’t like to talk about it,” she laughs and takes another sip. “Long story short, I fell in love in high school. I thought he was the one. I had it all planned out in my head. We would go to college together and then live happily ever after, but once graduation hit, I got… I really need to experience the college years and don’t want to be tied down to a girlfriend, but maybe when I’m done, we can get back together. ”
“Well, screw that piece of shit.” Sophia looks at Savi, who’s trying to hide her grin. “He doesn’t deserve you. Hopefully, his dick falls off from some sexual disease he gets from all the girls he’s expecting to sleep with.”
I giggle into my water before taking a sip. “She’s right. He’s going to regret his choices one day. He’ll find out there are not a lot of Savannah’s out there in this world. He must be the biggest dumb ass to think you would be waiting for him when he gets his party days over.”
“I won’t be waiting, trust me,” she laughs. “Since he’s going to college around here, I just didn’t want to watch it for the next four years. It made sense at the time,” she shrugs and flips her dark hair over her shoulder. “The first year was hard, I’m not going to lie, but now when I see him post things on social media, the hurt isn’t there anymore. Truthfully, it turns me off. I’m not into fuckboys and getting drunk every weekend. He’s way more immature than I need.”
“Amen, sister. You need a man, not a boy child.” Sophia taps her wine glass to Savi’s.
“Exactly,” she laughs. “And until he comes along, I’m fine focusing on myself and school.”
“It makes me so happy to see you still going after your dream of being a veterinarian. It’s all you talked about when you were younger.” I smile over at Savi and squeeze her hand.
“Nothing could have stopped me from going after my dream. It’s just a different location for now. I fully intend to come back. Blue Haven will always be my home, and now that I have a nephew and a new niece to spoil, with more on the way,” she eyes my stomach. “I don’t want to be away for too much longer. Speaking of being an aunt, when am I going to get another one out of you?” She eyes Sophia over the table.
“Trust me, the planning is being talked about. With Maverick and Bella getting married in May, we postponed it just a little bit, so I’m not waddling down the aisle. It’s my only brother getting married and I really want to enjoy myself. Plus, and this might sound stupid, but ever since we were little kids, Bella and I always imagined us getting pregnant around the same time and having our kids grow up together just like our moms did.”
“That’s not stupid at all. It’s cute. Emma and I were just talking about how it’s nice to have a friend to go through the pregnancy together. We already have each other on speed dial,” I laugh.
“Exactly. It’s just something we always imagined, and it’s all lining up for us. Sooooo, right before the wedding, we are going together for an IUD taking-out day,” she laughs. “We are going out to lunch after to celebrate and letting fate take over from there.”
“Oh my God, I love it!” Savi laughs.
“Well, Travis and Ryder are related, so be prepared for it to happen on the first try like it did with us. Those boys must be potent,” I giggle. “The first time he made it through the pill, so I’m already planning on getting an IUD after this one,” I say, rubbing my belly.
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” Sophia grins. “Big, strong men, big, strong sperm.”
“I do not need to talk about my brothers’ sperm,” Savi wrinkles her nose but can’t stop the laugh that escapes her. “I can totally believe it, though.”
I walk into the main house with Ryland and hear Jake whistle.
“Damn, Evie girl. You’re going to give my brother heart palpitations in that outfit.”
“Is it too much?” I glance down at the blue dress. I went shopping with Sophia yesterday, and she wouldn’t let me leave without it after I tried it on. The dress hugs my curves like a second skin, and with the cutout under the breasts, it gives off a sexy vibe. I know Ryder loves me in blue. It matches my eyes perfectly, and with the gold heels, my legs look even longer than usual. I’ve got a nice golden tan going from this summer, and it feels really good to go from mom to a sexy wife for the night.
“No, it’s perfect. You look beautiful.” Jake’s leaning against the kitchen island, grinning at me. He’s in grey sweats and a black tee and still manages to look like a model on the cover of a romance novel. I’m still taken aback when all the Montgomery brothers are together in one room. It’s like every girl’s fantasy comes to life. It’s always been Ryder, though, that makes me feel more than I ever thought I was capable of feeling.
He walks over and takes Ryland from my arms. I watch him kiss her soft curls before giving her a strawberry to munch on that he cut up for her.
“How are you still single?” I shake my head, amazed that someone hasn’t snatched him up yet.
Laughing, he meets my eyes. “Switching brothers already? I thought it would at least be another couple of months before you realized I’m the better one.”
“Very funny,” I laugh. He and Miles have always loved to mess with me especially if Ryder is in the room. “You know what I mean. You’re good-looking, loyal, and great with kids.” I watch him give Ryland another strawberry. “The girls around here must be completely insane not to snatch you up.”
“They’ve tried, trust me,” he grins. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just waiting for the sucker punch to the gut that Travis and Ryder felt when they both saw you and Sophia. No girl has kept my attention longer than a night,” he shrugs his shoulders and gives Ryland her sippy cup of water. “Until she does come along, I’m perfectly fine sampling everything that comes my way.”
“You sound like you are reading off a menu.”
“I am. It’s an all-I-can-eat buffet out there, and I don’t even have to place my order. It’s always delivered right to my table.”
“Oh my God. You sound like Miles,” he laughs at my eye-rolling.
“That’s because we’ve been known to share the same menu,” he laughs.
I feel my face get red, and he grins even harder. Have they really shared the same girl? His eyes dance with amusement and I can’t tell if he’s joking with me or not. Nothing would surprise me with these two. Out of the four, they’ve definitely been the wildest, and neither of them has ever had serious girlfriends that lasted more than a couple of months.
“I’m not even going to ask.” Some things are better kept as secrets, and my two brothers-in-law’s sex lives are one of them. “Thanks for watching Ryland tonight.” I decide to change the subject before I find out things I won’t ever be able to get out of my head.
“It’s no problem. I didn’t have anything planned anyway. You guys need a date night, and with Travis and his family back home and Miles on the road, it will be nice to have this alone time with my niece.”
“Everything she should need is in there,” I point to the oversized black bag on the counter. I hear the door open and turn to see Ryder walk in. He must have showered and changed at work. He’s wearing dark grey slacks and a blue button-up. Sophia must have told him the color of my dress because we match perfectly. His sleeves are rolled up, exposing his tattoos, and he’s left some buttons open at the top as I catch a glimpse of his broad chest. His hair is getting longer now and slightly touches the collar of his shirt. A piece has fallen across his forehead, and my fingers ache to feel its softness.
His greys meet mine, and heat courses through my body as they blaze a trail all the way to the tips of my pink-painted toes. “Jesus, Eve.” His voice is low as his eyes finally meet mine again. He slowly walks over to me before bending down and seeking out my lips. “You look insanely beautiful tonight,” he breaks away and whispers in my ear. His hand cups the back of my neck firmly, and I love how wanted that makes me feel.
Jake clears his throat, and we both reluctantly return to reality. I feel the heat in my cheeks from sharing a private moment. Ryder winks at me before releasing his hold. He sees Ryland and reaches for her with a smile. I watch him give her kisses and ask her about her day even though he gets a two-year-old conversation back.
“And that is what I’m waiting for.” I look at Jake, who walks over to my side. “The way you two just looked at each other is what I want, and I won’t settle for anything less.”
“And you shouldn’t.” I place my hand on his arm and squeeze. “God, I can’t wait to meet the girl that finally gets you off that menu.”
“Speaking of menus,” he takes Ryland from his brother, “you guys are going to be late for your reservations if you don’t leave now. Say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy, Rybug.” He waves at us, and she copies him.
“Bye-bye,” she says with a toothy grin.
“We will have our phones on us if you need anything,” Ryder says as I kiss Ryland goodbye.
“We will be fine. Right Rybug?”
“I do,” she says, causing us to chuckle.
“See. My girl and I have got this. I don’t work until nine, so I’ll bring her to you around breakfast time.”
“Thanks, Jake,” Ryder opens the door for me to step outside.
“Anytime, brother.”
Ryder takes my hand, and I follow him around the front to where his car is parked. Grinning, he opens the door, and I slide into the leather seats of his Porsche. My dress hikes up, and I move to adjust the length as Ryder gets in.
“Oh no, you don’t. Leave it right where it is.” His finger pushes it up a little further, revealing my ivory lace panties. “Perfect.” His thumb goes across the front of my thong, and I suck in a breath of air. The corner of his lip lifts into a smirk. He reaches over me and secures my seatbelt. His scent fills my senses as I breathe deeply, inhaling the hint of spice from his body wash and pure male, which is all Ryder. He turns his head, and we are so close that I can feel his breath caress my lips.
A low growl escapes as he grabs the back of my neck tightly and crushes his lips to mine. His tongue dives in and finds mine as my hand weaves into his soft hair. He has a light scruff on his face tonight, and I moan as it rubs against my skin.
He breaks away as we struggle to catch our breaths. “As much as I want to haul you back inside and finish this, I want to get a nice dinner into you first. There’s two of you to think about now.” He rubs his palm over my stomach and places a soft kiss on my lips before securing his seatbelt and starting the engine. Shifting it in reverse, we back out of the driveway and head to the restaurant.
He shifts gears, and I watch his handsome profile as he drives. His eyes meet mine before returning to the road. Downtown comes into view as we pass Blue Haven’s grocery store. People are walking the sidewalks and enjoying the cute boutiques and local restaurants that line both sides of the street. I see Jake’s shop, Inked , lit up as we drive by. Some of his staff must be working late tonight. We pass Ryder's Restores when we get to the edge of town by the marina. I can’t help but smile every time we pass it.
I’ve ridden this same street so many times to get to Jimmy’s so I could see him. I remember how excited I was when I was able to sneak away on my bicycle. Every pedal closer to him would shed all the hurtful words that my parents had spoken to me that day and be replaced with his love that I knew was waiting for me when I got there.
We park at Molly’s, a historic hotel on the water, before getting out. The hotel has recently been renovated, with a restaurant inside and a rooftop bar overlooking the water. Taking my hand, Ryder leads me through the foyer.
The original hundred-year-old wood floors have a new shine to them as we bypass the front desk and head to the elevators. Antique crystal chandeliers hang from the white ceilings, which have the original molding and details carved into the wood. Soft music can be heard from the restaurant as the elevator doors close to take us to the rooftop.
“I need those lips again.” He backs me up against the wall as his mouth lowers to mine. He holds my hands above my head as he cages me in and kisses me so thoroughly, leaving me wanting so much more. I feel his hard body against mine, and all I want to do is wrap myself around him and never let go.
With the hotel only having ten floors, we are forced to break away far too soon when we hear the ding on the seventh floor. Two girls around my age step in, and you can tell they are a little tipsy by their giggling. They both have tight black dresses on and legs for days. The vibe I’m getting is they are looking for the next victim to pounce on.
Ryder’s hand on my waist tightens, and I feel him tense beside me. The brunette one looks at him, and her eyes widen in shock.
“Ryder?” I can’t tell if she meant it as a question or a sigh. Her eyes roam his body, and I want to shield him from her. It’s clear from the way she is looking at him that she wants him.
“This is Ryder?” Her blonde friend at her side whispers loud enough for us all to hear. “Damn, girl. When you said he was hot, you weren’t lying. I would have dropped to my knees for him, too.”