Page 86 of Where We Bloom

“What do you mean?”

“If you could dream up any library you’d have in a home, what would it look like?”

“I mean, there are factors here. How big could it be? How much light is there? I used the formal dining room in my house and converted it into a small library, and I like it, but it’s really small.”

“It could literally beanythingyou want, bumble.”

I blink at that, thinking it over, then I pull my phone out of my cross-body handbag.

“I just so happen to have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to this topic.” I tap the screen, select the app, and once I’ve found what I’m looking for, I show it to the sexy man walking next to me. “I love the idea of a room with a monochromatic design. Personally, I’d love a sage green or a pretty blue, like this one. So the walls, the trim, and the bookshelves are all the same because I’d want to showcase the books. I’d want brass hardware and light fixtures, and I’d have these super deep, comfortable chairs with ottomans. Little tables at the side to hold a drink and maybe a snack.”

I glance up to see if he’s listening, and he’s staring down at my phone intently as if he’s taking mental notes.

“Send that to me,” he says.

“I’m not done.” I flip to another photo. “See how the shelves are floor to ceiling? That’s a must-have. I don’t want to waste any space at the top of the bookcase.”

“Send it all to me, bumble.”

I shake my head and close out of the app, but before I can pop the phone back in my purse, a text comes in from my cousin, Gabe, and the notification shows the beginning of his message.

Gabe: Hey, beautiful, I have a question …

Connor stops walking, and I look up at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Who in the bloody fucking shite isGabe?”

I blink at him, then look back down at my phone and open the message so I can read the whole thing.

Gabe: Hey, beautiful, I have a question. Do you happen to know when Alex’s birthday is? Adam and I want to surprise her with something, and I need to know if I can make it a part of her birthday present or if that’s too far away. Help a guy out.

I turn the phone up to show him the screen and watch as Connor’s eyes narrow. He reads the text, then his eyes jump up to mine.

“Gabe is one of the guys Alex went home with that night at the bar. He’s also my cousin. That’s how he has my number. Alex and the guys have decided that that wasn’t just a one-night deal, and they’re in a relationship, all three of them. She told us about it tonight.”

I slip my phone into my purse, then close the distance between us, wrap my arms around Connor’s middle, and press my face to his chest, hugging him close. I both love and hate his jealousy. I don’t have anything to hide from my amazing billionaire.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers before he kisses the top of my head and wraps his arms around me.

“Don’t be.” I press my lips over his heart. “I’d have been jealous, too. I don’t mind if you get a little jealous now and then.”

I tip my head back to look up into his face, and I have to take a breath because his eyes burn with intensity.

“But you need to know that you’re the only man in my life, and when you told me that I’m all you see, it works both ways, Connor. You can go through my phone if you want and put the tracking app on it so you always know where I am. I don’t care because I will never betray you like that. I?—”

Before I can get another word out, he’s framed my face, and his lips have crushed mine in a hot, desperate kiss that feels so different from any of the kisses we’ve shared. My head spins, and I moan against him. When he pulls back, we’re both breathing hard as he brushes his thumb along my lower lip.

“I don’t want or need to go through your phone, angel. I trust you implicitly. I simply don’t take kindly to seeing another man’s name call my womanbeautiful.”

“I am beautiful,” I remind him, making the edges of his lips tip up. “So you’d better stay at the top of your game, billionaire.”

“Is that so?”

I laugh and turn to continue walking to my house. “I love summer because it stays light out so late. It’s almost ten, and the sun hasn’t even set yet. Is Ireland far enough north to still be light out this late?”

“Aye, it is,” he replies. “The days are long in the summer and short in the winter, just like here.”

“Does it snow?”

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