Page 56 of Nathan

“You survived,” I say.

“Only just.” I feel his grin.

“It was a lovely wedding.”

He leans back and coaxes my chin up. “What I said before, Titch, about marriage. I meant every word. I’m not the marrying type, but that doesn’t mean I don’t value what we have. I wouldn’t have made it through the last forty-eight hours without you. I might not be the guy to put a ring on it, but you are deeper inside my head than any woman I’ve ever known.” He hitches up a shoulder. “I just thought it was important to tell you where my head’s at.”

I love you.

Fuck, there it is again. It has to be infatuation. I can’t possibly be in love with a guy I’ve only known for a few weeks. I like him a whole lot, but insta-love only happens in romance novels and soppy movies.

“Dex?”

I blink a couple times. “Sorry, I kinda disappeared there for a moment.”

He gives me a crooked grin. “Where’d you go?”

I press a hand to his face. “It doesn’t matter. Life is short, Nate. You and I know that better than most. I try not to focus too much on the future but live for the here and now.” I laugh. “And to anyone over thirty, that probably sounds crazy coming from a twenty-two-year-old, but you get where I’m coming from.”

The softness in his eyes is my undoing. I might have said all of that, and while it’s true, I can’t help dreaming of what ifs that will never come true.

“I do. I guess I wanted to be honest, especially after the whole girlfriend and boyfriend conversation yesterday.”

An ache moves down my throat, settling in my chest. “And you have been. Now, show me your moves.”

“Oh, my God,” Indie laments, collapsing onto the sofa. She kicks off her high heels and rests her feet on Declan’s lap. “Husband, rub my feet.”

Nate snorts. “You’re fucked, bro. Pussy whipped until you shuffle off this mortal coil.”

Warmth fills my insides. The more time that passes, the more Nate slowly drops his cold, distant attitude toward his brothers.

Determined to keep the atmosphere light, I let my shoes fall to the floor and stick my feet in Nate’s lap, making sure to graze his cock with my heel. “Boyfriend, rub my feet.”

Declan throws back his head and laughs. “No, bro. I think you’re the one who’s fucked.”

Nate gives me a look that says I’m in so much trouble, but that doesn’t stop him kneading at my soles with his thumbs.

My head rocks back, and I groan. “God, that feels good. You’d make a good masseuse. And with your looks, you might even pull in a little extra on the side.”

Indie joins in with Declan’s laughter. “Dex, you are priceless.”

“She’s fucking dead,” Nate grumbles.

“We should get home,” Millie says, nudging Ciaran, who groans.

“Why don’t you stay the night?” Declan suggests. “I know you’re only thirty minutes away, but you might as well. There’s plenty of room.”

“Are you sure?” Millie asks.

“He’s sure,” Ciaran says, clambering to his feet. “Besides, the baby’s asleep.” He peers into the portable crib, his expression filled with awe as he strokes a hand over her head. Picking it up, he cocks his head. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

Indie gets to her feet. “We should go, too, Declan. Early start in the morning.”

“When are you guys going on honeymoon again?” Nate asks.

“Not until after the summer season is over.” Indie rolls her eyes. “The joys of your beloved running a hotel empire. It’s a good thing we’re only newlyweds and not newly relationshipers.” She giggles. “I think I just made up a word.”

Declan rises from the sofa and sweeps Indie into his arms.

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