Page 95 of Reluctantly His

“Reid? I asked you what the most important thing is in your entire life, the one thing you refuse to compromise on anymore, and it isn’t chasing your dreams of being a professional cellist. It isn’t your own apartment, or your own space to discover your passions? It’s your foul-mouthed, uncouth bodyguard?”

“If someone had given you the same opportunity after you met Amelia, would your answer have been anything other than her?”

The truth blazed from his eyes.

I had hit my mark.

Because I knew he loved her more than anything.

Luc may not willingly admit it, but he would give up everything for that woman.

And I didn’t know if it was reciprocated with quite the intensity that I felt, but that’s how I felt about Reid. I wanted to be with him, more than I wanted anything.

“You know Father is not going to approve of this.”

“You didn’t ask me what I wanted that Father would approve of. You asked me what I wanted. This is what I want. Reid is who I want.”

“To be honest, I don’t know if I approve of this. What would that life even look like for you?”

I closed my eyes and tried to picture it.

Living middle class, selling my Hermes bags just because they were a ridiculous luxury. I had a few limited edition ones that would easily start a bidding war through auction houses. Christy’s Auction House would salivate at my jewelry collection. A few pieces I’d bought myself, but most of it was inherited and vintage.

I would spend my mornings practicing my cello, maybe even working for the Philharmonic or another orchestra. I wasn’t quite sure yet. Several groups had tried to recruit me over the years. My music teacher always told me I would have the pick of positions, first chairs, and the most prestigious orchestras in the world.

In the evenings, I would come home to Reid’s one-bedroom apartment and figure out how to make him dinner. There was a lot that I would have to learn, how to cook, how to clean, how to take care of myself instead of being taken care of. I knew how to set a table for eighteen, but I didn’t know how to make a simple dinner for two. The thought should have scared me, but it made me feel excited.

There was so much the world had to offer, and I was going to get to experience real life.

It would be tough, but with Ginnie’s help, I was sure I would be able to adapt.

Fueled by the pain meds, my mind wandered to what that could look like.

Coming home in the evening, fixing a meal for my husband, having it on the table when he walked through the door, and scolding him for tracking mud in on his big boots. At least until I was pregnant. I didn’t even know where that thought came from, but the idea of giving Reid children made me warm and fuzzy inside.

That was the first time the idea of being a mother felt like anything more than an obligation, and instead felt like an adventure, one that I wanted to embark on, not just an inevitability.

“Well, we haven’t talked about it. I know he loves me, but I don’t know what he is or isn’t looking for yet. So I will probably get a place on my own. I could sell some things to afford rent or maybe a down payment. I’m sure I could find work and make modest rent payments.”

Homing in on my expectations made my heart ache, but before I let everything out in the open with Luc, I needed to make sure Reid and I were on the same page.

I wasn’t going to have my brother demonize Reid because I’d misunderstood something.

“There is no way he’s letting you get a place of your own,” Luc interrupted my thoughts. “Especially not having come so close to losing you. Assume you will be living with Reid off of the money he makes and what he can provide for you. It’s not the life that you’re used to. How are you going to cope with that?”

“With grace and incredible, though less expensive, style,” I said, giving him a wink.

“That’s my girl,” a chipper voice came from the doorway, and Ginnie walked in, holding a large arrangement of colorful flowers. They were beautiful and a stark contrast to the other bouquets that were all white. Nothing but a sea of white roses and lilies.

“Who are you?” Luc asked, looking Ginnie up and down.

“I am the other musician who was lucky enough not to be standing next to a massive dick, who ironically probably had a tiny dick, during the attack.”

Luc’s mouth opened and closed a few times. Then he looked at me in confusion.

“Luc, this is Ginnie. She and I play together. Ginnie, this is my brother.”

“Nice to meet you,” Luc said, getting to his feet and offering his hand for her to shake.

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