His eyes turn to cold steel as he speaks of another man wanting to be in my home. “Do I need to worry about this Andy guy?”
“How did you even know about where I work? And Andy is a good guy. He flirts with everyone. It isn’t a big deal.”
“It’s a big deal when a man I don’t know threatens to take what is mine,” he growls.
I roll my eyes from the Alpha-ness coming off him in waves. I like that he is calling me his, I won’t lie about that. But men will always be in my life; I can’t help it if I have to work with them. “He isn’t a threat. He’s just Andy. I don’t like him like that. I love you. Isn’t that enough?” I tease him by poking his ribs.
“Yes, but I’m serious. You don’t need to work for them. You have me. I can open you up a veterinarian clinic. You can finally have your dream.”
My eyes tear up, but not from his offer. “How did you know I was going to be a vet?”
He barks out a laugh. “Do you not remember you telling me that’s what you wanted to do ever since you were 12? We might not have spoken over the years, Everly, but I kept track of you. I tried to always make sure you were okay. I saw you graduate, too.”
“You went to my graduation?” the words come out under a held breath. Tears swim in my eyes and fall effortlessly down my cheek.
He frowns as he wipes my cheek with his thumb. “Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I was so proud of you. You looked so beautiful, but you didn’t look happy.”
I held his hand as I lean against his touch. “It’s because I didn’t have you. I wanted to celebrate with you. I wanted you there.”
“I was there. I’ll always be there, Everly.”
“I love you.” I blink away the harsh, salty tears running down my raw cheeks.
“I love you too,” he sighs, pressing his lips against my forehead.
“You still can’t come into my life and pay for everything for me.”
“Yes, I can,” he insists.
“No, you can’t. When this court case is resolved, I want to do it on my own.”
“No.”
I throw my hands on my hips. “Yes.”
He snorts as he slips on a fresh pair of jeans. Rowan tucks his massive cock down his thigh to make sure it doesn’t get caught up in the zipper. “No. And that’s final. You never have to be on your own again. You never have to struggle. I won’t allow it. Now, I can argue all day.”
“There has to be a compromise. I need my independence,” I say.
“Look, I just want to help you get started, so you’ll have that independence,” he explains. “We at least need to get you set up with your clinic and everything, right? I don’t want you just stuck at that tattoo shop forever.”
“Rowan, I…” I can’t even finish my sentence. My eyes are brimming with tears.
“Of course, if that’s not a fair compromise, sexual favors are always really great.”
I chuff and grab the nearest pillow to throw it at him. “Those happen naturally.”
“So does my love for you. So, helping you pursue your dreams isn’t a hardship. It’s natural.”
“Well, that’s not fair, Rowan.”
“Life isn’t fair. Come on, get ready. We have a flight to catch and an Elvis to meet.”
“Elvis? What’s Elvis got to do with it?” I ask, striding into the bathroom. I squeak in surprise when my feet hit the cold, tile floor. The silver knob of the shower is cold too as I turn it. Soon, steam is billowing from the stall, warming me quickly.
“He is going to marry us. If we’re going to Vegas, we’re doing it right.”
I slip as I step into the spray of water, nearly busting my ass on the hard, tile floor. Memories from last night come rushing back. We said we would get married. Holy shit. We said we would get married. I want that. I do. I would want to marry him with a dream wedding, but are we going into this too soon?
“Are you having second thoughts?” he asks as he leans into the shower stall, standing in front of me, naked again.
Yum.
I shake off my worry and smile. “Elvis it is. I can’t wait.” I don’t ask if this is only for the inheritance and the estate, or if this is for good. The real deal. The real thing. I want it to be forever because I don’t see myself with anyone else besides Rowan.
But I don’t want to push him too far. Would he want to keep the wedding on the down-low? Perhaps being the number one bachelor in the United States is appealing to him. I don’t want to mention anything and ruin the mood.
“Can I join you?” he asks, not bothering to wait until I answer. He shuts the door, locking us in the spacious shower. The water cascades down his body, highlighting every curve of muscle on his body.
He plunders my mouth again with his lips. My hand slides against the condensation building up on the wall. The water falls into my mouth as our lips break apart. I look down to see his cock half-hard. I know if we keep kissing, he will be ready to turn me around, ass up, and slide right into my pussy that he completely owns.
But he pulls away.
Instead, he grabs the body wash, smelling of coconut and sunshine, and squirts it in his hands. He lathers the suds and runs his hands down one of my arms.
“I love touching you,” he says, sliding his fingers between mine. He pays close attention to my ring finger. “I can’t wait to finally make you mine.”
“I’ve always been yours.”
“Yeah, but now everyone will know.”
“Caveman,” I say, teasing.
“Damn right. First things first though,
