Page 51 of Sugar Coated Secrets

“Everleigh asked me the same thing.”

“And?”

“Part of me wants the dream back. He says we can move to a small town outside of Atlanta. He wants us to go on the vacation we have planned and pick up where we left off. I asked him why he wants to marry me because I’m not sure I know. He said I’m marriage material and would make a great wife.”

“He’s not wrong.” Easton frowns and plucks a brown leaf from my lap. “You’re that kind of woman. Strong, fun, beautiful, sweet, and kind. If I were a marrying man, you’d have been mine long ago. I wouldn’t have fucked around and risked losing you. I would have put a ring on it, ruined you for all other men”—he winks—“and worshiped you every day from then on.”

My heart warms from all the compliments, and my mind sticks on certain parts, like when he said he’d ‘ruin’ me—with his sexual talents, no doubt—and ‘worship’ me. The way he declared them with such conviction has me hot and tingly all over.

Dash’s response didn’t have half the romantic sentiment or possessiveness that Easton’s has. I should expect romance from the man I plan to marry, shouldn’t I? The possessiveness Easton shows isn’t something I’ve experienced with a man. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.

“What are you thinking about, Sadiecakes?” He brushes the top of my hand with the leaf.

“Why do you call me that?”

He shrugs. “It’s a term of endearment, like sweetcakes. It fits you.”

Dash never called me anything other than my name or babe.

“Do you use endearments for all your friends?”

“Only you.” He touches my nose with the leaf.

“I was thinking I need a break from the life I’ve been living.” I answer his question finally. “And that maybe your plan makes sense. But how do we do this and not ruin our friendship?”

His eyes brighten, and it takes him a moment to respond. “That’s easy. I’ve never lost a friendship over sex.”

“Never?”

“Maybe once or twice, but only because those women wanted more. And that was a long time ago. I’m good at what I do. You’ll find that out soon enough. And I’ve learned to be very clear about my intentions. I don’t give false hope, and I choose women who understand that.”

“But I’m not like the women you date. The women you have sex with—let’s just call it what it is. I move slowly and only sleep with a guy after I’m certain it’s not a one-night stand. I don’t even know if I can have sex without complicating things.”

He gives that a long thought, his gaze searching my face for an answer I’m not sure he’ll find. “Then we’ll keep things as they are until you know you can handle it.”

That day may never come. I don’t say that. Instead, I nod.

Chapter 15

Easton

I finish rolling up the sleeves of my business shirt. It’s open at the collar, no tie, and I’m wearing dress pants. My appearance is to impress my brother without looking too over the top. I want him to take me seriously and to see I’m coming to him as a professional and not a carefree sibling with an outrageous idea.

When I enter the kitchen, Sadie stands at the island drinking coffee and reading on her phone. Her casual outfit shouldn’t be sexy, but that off-the-shoulder cropped sweatshirt shows off her flat stomach. Those matching joggers make her strawberry-shaped ass beg to be grabbed or spanked. Her hair falls in messy waves around her pretty face. It’s not as long as the other women I date, but it brushes her pert breasts right at her nipples in a way that draws the gaze.

I wipe my salivating mouth. “Morning.”

She flinches—always so jumpy—and sets down her coffee. Her hazel-green eyes travel the length of my body, and she whistles. “Where are you going dressed to impress this lovely morning?”

“I have a meeting with Daire.”

She gasps and cups her phone between her hands. “Are you ready? Do you need any help with anything?”

I love her enthusiasm. The fact that she’s always willing to help makes her that much sweeter. “I’m good, and I’m ready. I’m excited actually.”

“You should be. He’s going to love the idea.”

“Let’s hope so.”

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