Page 137 of When We Break

“I figured you’d be working today.” I grin when he joins me, presses me against his side, and takes the device out of my hands.

“We’re catching up for your book club,” he says, kissing my head. “And you’re not finishing this book without me.”

“Big Navessa Allen fan, are you?”

Beckett’s eyes skim the page, looking for where we left off. “This one isgood.The guy is super fucked up, though.”

“I mean, his biological father is a serial killer. I’d suspect that would feck anyone up.”

“Fair point. However, this is about a stalker, and it doesn’t seem to bother you.” He raises an eyebrow.

“But he’s such a golden retriever stalker.” I laugh and snuggle against him. “I’m fine with it. Honest.”

“Okay, here we go.”

“Wait.” I press my hand to his chest and smile at him. “You’rereallyblowing off work so you can read with me all day?”

“I worked this morning.” He sounds only a little defensive. “My chores are done, and now I get to spend time with my girl. It’s one of the perks of being the boss.”

“Hmm.” I lean against him once more. “I do like that perk.”

“Good.” He kisses my head, breathes me in, then starts to read, his deep voice filling the air, telling me a story. I do love listening to his accent while snuggled up against his hard body, being here in our home together.

Riley’s snoring in the corner.

And now that The Arsehole is gone, and the investigation is over, I don’t have to be afraid anymore. I can live this beautiful life with the man who makes me feel whole, with no regrets or hesitation.

This life of mine is perfect.

Epilogue

CONNOR GALLAGHER

I’m a goddamn glutton for punishment.

My private jet just landed at the airport after flying for ten hours from Brussels. It was a disappointing trip, and I’m fecking exhausted. I should go home and go to bed. Instead, I’m standing outside Billie’s Books because I can’t seem to stay away from the pretty wee owner of this shop despite the fact that she can’t stand to have me around.

She’s made it clear that she doesn’t want a repeat of our one and only true sexual encounter all those months ago. I’ve stolen kisses here and there, but she always stops things before I can take them too far.

And because she’s in control when it comes to sex, I always back off. Iwillalways back off. I’m not in the habit of forcing myself on women who don’t want me.

Jesus, I’ve never had a problem finding a willing woman to warm my bed at night. But since I had her, I don’t want anyone else. There hasn’t been nor will there be anyone butmo rúnsearc.

I wantBillie.

I think of her constantly.

I know every inch of her lush, gorgeous body.

And when she snaps at me, my cock twitches.

I drag my hand down my face. No one in my personal or professional life woulddarespeak to me the way Billie Blackwell does, yet here I am, bloody eager to get just a glimpse of her before I go to my cold, lonely house for the night.

Pushing through the door of the bookshop, I pause when I see the group of women sitting in the center of the space. Some are in chairs, others are on the floor, and it occurs to me that it must be their book club night.

In fact, there’s my sister, Skyla, confirming my suspicions.

Feck me.

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