Page 44 of Second Chances

Ryan throws his head back and laughs.

“I’m not going to live off your wages so don’t worry. I can’t really see myself as a househusband type of person. I get bored too easily. No, a letter came through from my lawyer while I was away. My great uncle, my grandfather’s brother, has passed away.”

“I don’t understand?” I interrupt, trying to figure out what relevance this would have to Ryan.

“Impatient,” he scolds me playfully. “He didn’t have a will, so my mother’s family estate will go into intestacy. Basically, if I can prove I’m the oldest living male relative, I’ll inherit everything.”

“Why wouldn’t it go to Miranda? Did your uncle not have children?”

He shakes his head.

“No, my uncle was too busy gambling and drinking to father any children. Miranda is female so is precluded from inheriting. It’s an old English law that still governs a lot of families here.

“Your grandfather had a title, didn’t he?”

“Yes, Lord Braybrooke.”

“Will you inherit that as well.”

“I will. I’m not keen on using it, but the more I think about it, I can’t let my grandfather and what he did to my mother be the legacy of my family. I want to build a new story for the Braybrooke name and combine it with North. I want to let it flourish in happiness. Maybe even one day find a Lady Braybrooke-North. How would you fancy that?”

“Wooah!” I reel back in shock. “Ok, moving in is one thing, but marriage? I think we need to date a little longer first.”

Ryan’s eyes glitter with mischief.

“I think I can live with that. So what do you say? Will you move in with me and help me fight my cause?”

“Hell yes!”

Chapter Twenty

Ryan

We haven’t wasted any time moving Elena in. It’s only been a week since I asked her, and her apartment has already been let, and she’s now officially a resident in my home, which is next door to my brother and his family. She’s found it a little difficult packing while hobbling around on her crutches, but now we’re both collapsed in my large king-sized bed for the night, we couldn’t be happier.

“Can I do a bit of redecorating?” Elena asks, shifting onto her side with her plastered leg resting on a pillow.

“I was waiting for that.” I laugh, leaning forward and kissing her nose. “You do realize James had it done top to bottom when I moved in.”

“Urgh,” she moans. “It’s a bit masculine in style though. You need more femininity in your life.”

“That’s why I asked you to move in with me. I want a lot more feminine in my life.” I stroke my hand over the curves of her breast, which is covered by the silk of her nightdress. Lowering my hand, I pull her close to me, and my hardness seeks out her softness.

“Corny much?” She laughs.

“Always. Now on your back, Elena.”

“Why, Mr. North, you’re very demanding.”

I rise to straddle her, placing my strong thighs on either side of her small frame.

“Only when I’ve got someone as beautiful as you underneath me.”

“Are we playing?” Elena licks her lips.

“Not tonight, beautiful. Purely vanilla.” I pause. “Well with a few twists, of course.”

“Of course.”

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