Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
I loved him.
The realization should have sent me into another panic, but it didn’t.
It just didn’t.
As simple as that.
And I didn’t want to fight it.
I didn’t want to worry about what anyone else thought.
I didn’t want to overthink.
For the first time, I just wanted to feel.
A giddy rush of joy fluttered in my chest as I moved to open my office door.
“Aspen,” my father called behind me.
I turned, my face still alight with a smile that had him smiling in return.
“Mind if I come in?”
“Sure.”
He followed me and sat back on the couch, getting comfortable, meaning this was more of a personal visit than a professional one. “You seem to be in a good mood.”
“I am,” I agreed, joining him on the couch.
He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Good. I love it when you’re happy. You have your mother’s smile.”
I smiled harder and sat back, waiting for him to start the conversation.
“How are the interviews going?”
“Good. We actually had a good candidate today,” I explained, grateful I could do so without experiencing any of the panic from before. “And I’m still hoping to find Shiloh among the applicants.”
His face turned thoughtful, considering the suggestion. “You’re right. She would be an amazing fit. I hope she applies.”
“So, did you only come for an update?” I inquired when he didn’t say more.
“Can’t a man come see his favorite daughter?” He laughed at my deadpan stare and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a black velvet ring box. “Your mother would want you to have this. I want you to have this.”
Before I even opened the box, unshed tears burned my eyes.
“Daddy,” I breathed. The thin platinum band with faded floral inlay blurred. “Mom’s ring.”
“She made me promise to keep it so we could pass it on to you, like her mother did her and all the other women in her family.”
I swiped at my eyes and pulled the patinaed ring from the box, sliding it onto my ring finger.
“I was worried it wouldn’t fit, but I shouldn’t have. Your mother used to say it carried magic that allowed it to fit any woman who wore it. That’s how it’s fit all the past generations,” he explained, laughing. “I know it’s not as grand as the ring Lucian go—”
“It’s perfect. Both our mothers’ rings,” I explained, admiring the similarities and differences between the two. His mom’s was newer, but they both appeared softer from years of wear. “I love it. Thank you.”
“Of course, a stór.”
Happiness, like I hadn’t experienced in years, bubbled up so aggressively that I thought I would explode. Needing an outlet, I threw my arms around my dad and lost myself in his accepting warmth. I’d been so busy proving how great I could be that I forgot to stop and just be with my dad.
Both our eyes were wet by the time we pulled back.
“I thought about giving it to Lucian, but I wanted to give it to you myself.”
“I’ll make sure I pass it on,” I promised, tucking it back inside the box.
“Do you have much more work to do today?”
“Not in the office. But I do have an opening act I need to check out tonight, and then I’ll head home.”
He leaned back and smiled, just watching me.
“What?”
“Being in a relationship looks good on you. I’m glad to see Lucian making you so happy.”
“Me, too. Especially because if he didn’t,” I said, my smile turning wicked. “I’d kick his ass.”
“That’s my girl.”
“What the hell are you wearing?” Lucian demanded, his dark voice full of tension, contradicting his relaxed position in bed.
I raised my brows in challenge, as if to say, Excuse me?
“I’m wearing a shirt.”
“That is jewelry. Is there anything even under it?”
Pursing my lips, I looked down at the collection of pearls attached to form a loose tank top…kind of. Slowly, I tipped my head back up with an antagonistic smirk. “Just me,” I taunted.
A low growl rumbled deep in his chest—his bare chest.
I dropped my purse on the dresser and slowly stalked to the bed, taking in his broad shoulders and sculpted abs that eventually disappeared under the sheets. The bedside lamp illuminated enough to make my mouth water and make me want to see more.
“Is there anything under the sheets?” I asked, slipping my heels off and kicking them aside.
“Just me.” His dark eyes flashed behind his glasses.
I hummed as I reached the bed and crawled on, holding his heated gaze until it dropped to watch my shirt gape, revealing my swaying breasts. Wanting to prolong the tension between us, I went to my own pillow and lay on my side, resting my elbow to support my head. “I didn’t know you wore glasses,” I said before he could move his laptop aside.
His brow furrowed. “Do they make me look old?”
“Not at all. I think they make you look very sexy.”