Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 33998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
That didn’t include all the guns my soon-to-be husband owned that he’d had stashed all over the house.
“He’s having fun,” I told her quietly, not wanting to wake the others. “And the whole point of this was so we didn’t see each other tonight.”
She shrugged. “If you ask me, that tradition is overrated.” I laughed a little. “Call him, hun. That man will move mountains to make you feel safe.” She covered her hand with mine; I hated that it was trembling from the adrenaline of being unexpectedly frightened. “We know how you feel. None of us will bat an eye. I promise.”
I blew out a soft breath, watching as she turned and left the kitchen, heading back to her room. Sighing, I went into the living room and grabbed my phone off the charger. Then, I grabbed a blanket and walked out onto the porch, settling on the porch swing at the end that Whiler had installed a couple of months ago.
I clicked on his name and raised my phone to my ear as I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and tucked my feet under me.
“Cannon?” he asked quietly. I could see him walking away from the fire a bit to get some privacy. His body turned toward the house. “You okay, baby? Is that you on the porch?”
“I don’t want to fall asleep by myself tonight,” I told him.
Immediately, he began eating up the distance between the bonfire and the porch. “All you have to do is say the word,” he reminded me. “I’m always yours to call on.”
I drew in a deep breath, my chest loosening with each step that brought him closer to me. He hung up when he began climbing the wooden steps, his boots quiet on the new boards he’d installed a few weeks ago.
“Hey,” I breathed as he settled on the swing next to me.
He wrapped me up in his arms and pulled me closer so I was sitting on his lap, curled into a small ball. “Hey, baby.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “I’m here now.” He rested his chin on the top of my head. “You can sleep now. I’ll always protect you.”
I pressed my lips to his throat, my eyelids quickly growing heavy. “I know you will,” I murmured. He tightened the blanket around my shoulders. “I can’t wait to become your wife tomorrow.”
He began to slowly rock us. “I’ll be the best husband you’ve ever fucking had,” he swore. “And I swear to you, no man will ever treat you better than I will.”
I smiled because I knew that.
It was one of the reasons I’d agreed to marry him.
We were oil and water. We weren’t supposed to mix. Oil always rested on top, and some people thought it might smother the water.
But Whiler didn’t smother me.
His weight comforted me.
16
Whiler
The day was finally here—the day I got to make Cannon my wife.
I hadn’t been able to sleep a wink last night, but I did get a chance to finally relax when Cannon curled up in my arms on the porch swing. Jessie had found us there this morning, and she’d silently gone back inside, made me a cup of coffee, and let us be.
I watched the sun slowly rise in the sky, and when the sun finally began to top the trees, I gently shook my bride awake. It was time for her to begin getting ready for our big day. Already, two of Alejandro’s SUVs were making their way up our driveway, and when they came to a stop, eight men piled out, fully armed and ready to protect the women inside.
I’d been too on edge lately, and Cannon still spiraled without the extra protection on her. This would put us both at ease, and Alejandro was more than willing to lend his men for service.
Cannon groaned and burrowed her face in the crook of my neck. “Five more minutes,” she mumbled.
I chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I wish, baby, but you’ve got to start getting ready, and I need to head to the clubhouse.”
She sighed and yawned before lifting her head, sniffing at the air. “Do I smell coffee?” she croaked.
I handed her my half-drank mug, and she lifted it to her lips, downing the liquid in two gulps. Then, she stood to her feet and stretched. I groaned at the sight. Fuck, my woman was goddamn beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see her curves encased in her wedding dress.
She would be fucking stunning. Breathtaking.
All mine.
I stood to my feet, and my back popped, making me wince. Fuck, I was getting too old to be sitting that damn long, especially on a wooden swing. Cushions would need to be put on that thing fucking ASAP.
“I’ll see you later?” Cannon asked me, tilting her head back to look up at me. Her pretty blue eyes sparkled in the early morning light. It was a beautiful image I would forever remember.