Page 47 of Needing You

Especially since Jake pulled me aside earlier and said he and Ellie would hang with Jackson if we wanted to sneak out. There’d be enough going on, people dancing late into the night, he’d be well taken care of. We couldn’t take all night, but we’d have time.

The press of her body against me, her hands on my shoulder and around my back, made me feel at ease and out of my mind at the same time. I wanted her like I’d never wanted anyone, but I was also more content at this moment than I’d been in memory. Probably not since that first year together, when I was practically a kid, and my dad was alive. Before I’d turned into a moody, heartbroken piece of shit who stormed around like the world owed me something thanks to losing them both.

Brenna was married and laughing at her husband as they danced and chatted softly, the picture of wedded bliss. Jake was sitting at a table with Ellie and Jackson, looking totally at ease. Sammy, inevitably, was busy charming two different women. Eric had taken Mom to dance and was whisking her around the dance floor, filling our father’s shoes as usual.

And me? I was holding the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. The mother of my child and the absolute owner of my heart. That’s right. I’d accepted it as fact: I loved Kate Preston, and I didn’t care who knew it. In fact, the day’s events showed me I more than loved her. I wanted a life with her—the wedding, the marriage, everything.

I’d never planned on this—truly, I’d never guessed I could feel this way for anyone else. And sure enough, I could only feel this for Kate. It might be too soon, might be foolish as all hell, but I loved her more now than I could’ve fathomed years ago. That love wrought gratitude in me because I’d never dared to hope I’d feel like this or want to share my life with anyone other than my family.

Now I knew more certainly than anything else I’d ever known—I wanted Kate and Jackson as my family. I’d felt it before but here, tonight, I knew it down to my bones. First, obviously, I wanted her to know it. But I wouldn’t say it here in front of the guests.

“Did you enjoy the wedding?” I asked.

Even though we’d sat together this evening, we hadn’t had any time to talk just the two of us. The Walker brothers had served as ushers for the ceremony, then we’d done pictures, and then we were all grouped together. I knew Brenna had asked her to get ready with her and her friends, but I didn’t know how shefelt.

And if anything told me things were different with Kate than they’d been with anyone in my past, that was it. I hadn’t given a good goddamn what any woman felt as long as they got off and moved on. Kate? Well, I damn sure wanted her to get off, but I needed to know how she was doing. Was she happy she came? Sad? Lonely? Exhausted?

“I loved it. They’re so cute together. I love that they wrote their own vows. I also loved getting to laugh in that sweet moment between them. Connor’s hilarious, and it was such an unexpected gift to see them like that.”

My heart thumped out a beat hard enough I was sure she could feel it through the layers of clothing between us. “Agreed. He’s a good dude. I didn’t know him before, so I liked that, too.”

“And I was impressed your mom kept it together so well. I love that she walked Brenna down the aisle. That seemed so special to me.” Her dark eyes flicked up to mine, a soft look like she wondered how I’d done with that.

My throat tightened a bit. “It was good.”

“And the dance…” She smiled in a way that made me think maybe she’d even cried during the brother-sister dance, as we were now calling it.

I cleared my throat, unwilling to break down with her in my arms in the middle of this dance floor when so many good feelings surrounded us. “It’s awful that he’s not here. But there’s something kind of healing about it, I think. I hope everyone else is feeling that. Like, the youngest of us has grown up and done so well, she’s found her person, and she’s happy and healthy. And we’re all here together—all of us. I think he would be proud.”

The hand that’d been on my shoulder slipped down and pressed over my heart. “I’m sure he would. And I know Brenna has had an amazing day with all of you here supporting her. Thank you for letting us be a part of it.”

I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. Just one soft, chaste kiss. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She tucked herself closer, and my pulse rioted. “Me neither, Will.”

Fuck me if her saying my name didn’t shoot lust straight to my cock. All the sweetness and emotion did nothing to quell the need I felt for her. With one last glance around to make sure everyone was still occupied, I gave in to the question I’d wanted to ask since we’d stepped into this place.

I ducked my chin and spoke low into her ear. “You about ready for some privacy?”

Her face tipped up, and her lips brushed my neck. “What about Jackson? Brenna?”

“He’s taken care of. She won’t even know we’re gone.”

I felt more than saw her grin. “And your mother?”

“I’m going to bank on Eric’s basic human decency. He’ll either distract her or convince her not to make it an issue. Plus, they’ve done all the stuff but toss the bouquet, right?”

She leaned away and caught my eyes with her dark ones. “Guess it’s time to go, then.”

After she grabbed her wrap and little purse, I took her hand, fingers laced with mine, and led her out the door and up the flight of stairs to our room. My heart sprinted in my chest, and the feel of her palm against mine sent sensation sparking up my arm.

Neither of us spoke as we hustled down the hall. In what was no more than two minutes but felt like ten, we entered the suite, then walked to our bedroom.

She moved inside first and set her things down while I closed the door and leaned against it. She turned to look at me, biting her lip as her fingers twisted together.

“So, here we are,” I said like an idiot. Half of me wanted to go grab her and toss her on the bed. The other half wanted this to go as slowly as possible. More than either of those options, all of me wantedherto set the pace.

“Yes. Alone in our room.” Her eyes glittered in the lamplight. I’d left them on when I’d gone to the wedding earlier. She’d been down with Brenna, so I’d hung with Jackson and my brothers all day.

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