Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Finally, our talk of business concluded and I was ready to show McKinnon the door. I was so hard it was painful and I was desperate to be buried deep inside my woman. But, Tommy seemed to have something else on his mind.
“What is it, McKinnon? Spit it out.”
“What do you intend ta do about Sean?”
My eyes narrowed and my voice was deadly when I responded, “What do you think I’m going to do, Tommy? He’s a threat to my fiancée”—Tommy flinched at the word and I inwardly smiled with glee, even though Carly stiffened beside me—“and anyone who becomes a threat to her will find themselves taking a dirt nap.”
TWELVE
Carly
“You’re a strong man,” I murmured as soon as Tommy left Brandon and I alone. “Powerful in your own right.”
“I am.”
I was glad he didn’t deny it since there was no point. He’d worked hard to gain the reputation he’d built within the DeLuca family. Earned the fear he instilled in others. He was unapologetic about who and what he was. It was part of what drew me towards him, the edge of danger he exuded while still managing to make me feel safe. It was quite the heady combination. Well, that, and the insane amount of chemistry which sizzled between us, even when we’d first met and he was acting like a complete bastard. But, his strength and reputation were also one of the things that concerned me most when I thought about our future together.
“Taking over my da’s role as the head of the O’Reillys is going to be tough as hell. There will be some who will balk at following a woman, even if she’s the only one of them who had the balls to off big, bad Pat O’Reilly.” Sarcasm was thick in my tone since we both knew I wasn’t the one who’d killed my da. Then again, neither of us were in doubt that I would’ve, if given the chance, regardless of the regret it might have caused me in the future. It didn’t matter either way, because as far as my family and the rest of the dark world we inhabited knew, I was a bitch enough to have killed my own father.
“They can balk all they want. It’s not going to change a damn thing. Not with Nic behind you and me at your side,” he grumbled, pulling me onto his lap.
His confidence was astounding. I wished I had some of it. “And how’s that going to work exactly? If we get married right away, while I’m still finding my place, don’t you think it will make me look weak? Like I need to stand behind a man to lead my family?”
His fingers tightened on my hips as he turned me until I straddled his lap, my knees resting on the couch cushions on either side of his thighs. Once he had me exactly where he wanted me, he lowered his head until our noses were almost touching each other. When he spoke, I felt his lips move against mine. “First of all, there’s no need for you to find your place. You’re the boss of the O’Reillys. It’s over and done with, your place is already secured.”
“It’s not that simple,” I argued, my words swallowed by his mouth as he claimed mine in a punishing kiss. By the time he lifted his head, both our chests were heaving.
“I wasn’t done,” he rumbled, not giving me time to chime in before he continued. “Secondly, there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You are marrying me. You’ll be saying your ‘I do’s’ this week, just like you agreed to in the back of the limo.”
“You mean what you seduced me into saying while you tortured me by not letting me come,” I mumbled irritably.
“And you enjoyed every damn second of my torture,” he answered smugly.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I wouldn’t say enjoy exactly.”
“You’re right, it’s not a strong enough word to describe the way your pussy squeezed my cock when you climaxed all over me.”
I wanted to stomp my foot in frustration, but since I was perched on his lap it wasn’t exactly an option. I lifted my left hand and pointed at my ring finger. “You seem to have skipped a step, Mr. Smartypants.”
“You’ll do well to never underestimate me, kitten,” he growled, dumping me onto my back on the couch cushions before stalking over to the suit jacket he’d tossed onto the chair. When he pulled a tiny black box from the inside pocket, my jaw dropped open.
“Where the hell did that come from?” I gasped, scrambling onto my feet, only to have Brandon tug me back down to a sitting position as he kneeled at my feet.
“The jewelry store,” he deadpanned. Using his thumb, he flipped open the lid of the box and I was struck silent in awe at the ring nestled inside.