I pulled open the door and was met with an absolute giant of a man. Lawson was a big guy, but sweet baby Jesus, this guy was huge. He caught sight of me and a sly smile crept onto his face.
“Well, well, well, aren’t you just a pretty little thing.” He had smooth caramel skin, dark brown hair and eyes, and a cheeky grin on his face.
Rome.
I smirked back at him. “And aren’t you just the size of a bus.”
He gaped at me for a fraction of a second before barking out a laugh.
I moved aside so he could come in.
Oh hell.
This must be Josh. He was gorgeous. I could see exactly what Quinn had been talking about. He gave me a once over before smiling at me. His blonde hair was perfectly styled and his blue eyes sparkled.
Yip... my girls are screwed.
He was your typical pretty-boy – and I thanked god that I was more into the tall, dark and handsome type.
The Lawson type.
Last came Logan. He looked like a sweetheart. He took off his baseball cap as he walked in, revealing his short dark brown hair. His eyes were an inviting deep blue. I liked him already. The other two I was still debating.
I shut the door and assessed the three of them. “Rome, Josh and Logan.” I pointed to each of them individually.
Rome’s eyes lit up. “Heard about me have you, sweetheart? And who might you be?”
Oh yeah. This one is trouble.
I heard Lawson’s deep chuckle behind me before I felt him slip his arms around my middle. He kissed the skin just below my ear and I shuddered, leaning into his touch.
“Get lost, Rome, she’s mine.” Lawson chuckled at his friend’s shocked face.
He let me go and gave man-hugs to all of them. I smiled at all the fist-bumping and backslapping. “This is my girl.” He came and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Ells, these are my boys, Rome, Josh...”
“She hit the nail on the head actually, man,” Logan interrupted him.
Lawson laughed. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. She’s been talking to Quinn.”
Rome groaned and came over to hug me. “Don’t listen to her. She’s just torn up about wanting a piece of this.” He grabbed his crotch and winked at me.
Lawson shook his head. “Jesus Christ, man, get a filter, would you?”
I busted out laughing. “Oh I can see why she’d be desperate for a piece of that. I’m barely holding back myself,” I said dryly.
Josh laughed and smacked a shocked-looking Rome on the chest. “I told you that you need to work on your game, man.”
Josh held out his hand for me to shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Ellerslie. It’s good to know you’re real, we thought Lawson might have been blowing smoke up our asses.”
I raised one eyebrow at Lawson and he laughed. “I told them you were smart, funny, successful and a complete knockout... they said I was full of shit.”
I grinned.
“But who’s laughing now, boys?” Lawson taunted them.
Josh gave Lawson the middle finger and Rome grabbed him in a headlock and wrestled him in the direction of the lounge. I laughed as the three of them tussled.
“It really is good to meet you, Ellerslie. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’ll probably never know what a difference you’ve made to him.”
I smiled and watched the boys disappear out of sight before meeting Logan’s eyes. “I’m glad he’s happy. And It’s good to meet you too.” I squeezed his arm. “You’re the only one Quinn was looking forward to seeing,” I teased.
“Smart girl that one.” He winked at me. “We better go stop those three from killing each other.” He held out his arm for me and I giggled. “Shall we?”
***
“I still can’t believe you married a complete stranger in Vegas.”
Jemma rolled her eyes at me. “He wasn’t a stranger.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Really, Jem? How long had you known him?”
“Three days,” she answered without batting an eyelid.
We looked at each other and pissed ourselves laughing.
She always was the unpredictable one.
“Would you have married Lawson if he’d asked after three days?”
I blushed. I didn’t think I would have. I knew now that I loved him more than my own life, but it had taken me a long time to give in and allow myself to feel this way.
“I don’t think so. I fought my feelings for him. I think I would have run a mile.”
“And now?” Jemma pressed.
“Now... now I think I’d do just about anything for that man. I don’t want to imagine my life without him.”
“Connor is my Lawson. I knew the minute I laid eyes on him that he was mine. We just thought, screw it, why wait?”
“And now you’re married.” I clapped my hands. “The new Mrs...” I stared at her. “Shit, I don’t even know what your last name is.”
She gave me a ‘you’re not going to believe it’ look. “It’s Cash.”
I snorted. “You married a man with the last name Cash, in Vegas?”
“I know. It’s ridiculous. But anyway, I can’t wait for you to meet him. We want to have a big reception for all our family and friends. You’ll come?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” I had to admit, Jem looked happier than I’d ever remembered seeing her. If that was this Connor’s doing, then I was already a fan.
I looked around the room. Quinn and Josh were talking and flirting in the lounge, Brooke and Stace were locked in a heated debate with Rome – you could see the attraction between him and Brooke from a mile away. I silently wished him good luck, that boy was about to play with fire.
Logan was seated at the kitchen island having a beer with Lawson. I watched as Lawson gestured wildly with his hands. Whatever they were talking about had Lawson pretty excited.
Just looking at him had me smiling and feeling like a giddy little girl. I was grateful for the timing of this weekend. It was exactly what I needed to relax and unwind after what had happened this afternoon.
Lawson must have felt my eyes on him. He looked right at me and the corners of his mouth turned up into a boyish grin. We looked at each other across the room, and I felt my heart rate speed up. I’d never experienced anything like this before. This man could work me up, from another room, with just a single glance.
I am so hooked.
Jem broke our connection by swatting my leg. “Holy shit, girl.”
I looked at her in confusion. “What?”
“That.” She gestured between me and Lawson, who had gone back to his discussion with Logan. “That crazy moment.”
I shrugged at her.
“Please tell me that it’s not like that every time you look at each other.”
“Oh it is.” Quinn plopped down between us on the couch and tucked her legs up underneath her body. “They’re that couple that you read about in the books, or watch in the movies. They’re the fairytale couple.”
My wine glass was empty so I grabbed Quinn’s and took a sip. “I guess we do have a pretty intense connection.” I smiled as I thought about it.
It really is something else.
“Mmmhmm,” Quinn murmured. “Makes me sick.”
I laughed at her. “That’s rich coming from the woman who has us married with children in her mind.”
She waved away my comment and turned to Jemma. “Enough about the two of them, I want to hear all about Connor.”
64. Lawson
I watched El, Q and Jemma talk from across the room. El’s eyes sparkled, and every so often she’d search me out and our eyes would meet. It was like time stood still. She looked right into my soul and I saw right back into hers. I didn’t know how it was possible, but our connection grew stronger and stronger with every passing minute.
I’d been surprised, but thrilled to hear that Jemma had gotten a quickie marriage in Vegas. I was hoping some of that spontaneity would rub off on El. I wanted her to move in here wi
th me. I loved her more than I thought possible. She belonged here. Hell, even my dog was head over heels for her. He’d been sitting at her feet for the past hour or so, lapping up the little strokes she gave him. I chuckled lightly to myself. Guess he was just like his owner after all.
“This is it, isn’t it? You really love that girl.”
I reluctantly pulled my eyes from El’s face and looked at Logan. The guy was my best friend. He’d been there for me during the shittiest times in my life, he didn’t ask questions, he just supported me. I was hoping I could do the same for him now.
“She’s the only person I even want to imagine any kind of future with. It’s just not worth it if it’s not with her.”
“I gotta tell ya, man.” Logan mock punched my arm. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
I completely agreed with him. I never thought I’d see the day either.
“I’m glad you found each other. She’s everything you said, and she’s not afraid to give a bit of sass.” He chuckled. “You always have had all the luck, you bastard.”
I laughed with him, but I could see the heartbreak in his eyes. Logan had just come out of the Army. He’d served three tours, and his girlfriend, Carrie, had left him with only two months left to serve... in a damn letter. Five years together, and she’d left him in a letter.
Bitch.
I’d just offered him a job as a project manager and he hadn’t hesitated in accepting. I’d also suggested that he stay with me until he got on his feet, and he’d gratefully accepted that too. I was thrilled to be having him come on board, I’d need him first thing Monday morning thanks to the half-wit I’d had to fire today.
“How’s things between you and Carrie? Have you talked to her at all?” I asked.
He looked down and tugged on the label of his beer bottle. “Nah, not really. I went and picked up all my shit from the house, but she left as soon as I got there. She is one cold-hearted bitch, man.”
I nodded in agreement. I’d liked Carrie. We all had. But the way she’d handled their break-up had me fuming. Logan was a good man. Hell, he was a great man. If Carrie wasn’t into him anymore or whatever the situation was, then that was her decision. But to end it through a letter? It was a kick in the guts.
“So if she turns up one day, begging you to take her back?” I questioned.
“Lock me up. Don’t you dare let me fall for anything stupid.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” I held up my beer and we drank to that.
***
“I swear to God, Rome, if I catch you undressing my girl with your eyes one more god damn time, I’m gonna knock your head off.”
Rome barked out his big laugh and shrugged unapologetically. “You know what, I’m not even sorry. Damn, man, how’d your ugly ass get a girl that fine?”
Bloody Rome.
I was becoming concerned I might actually have to kick his ass. His brown eyes were dancing with amusement. As per usual, the bastard was trying to wind me up. He usually went down the avenue of harassing Quinn – she had always been my biggest weakness. I think it was pretty obvious that nobody had me as weak as Ellerslie. She was my kryptonite. And my so-called friend here had jumped at the chance to get under my skin.
Rome and I had never had a real, physical fight. I’d met him under some pretty dodgy circumstances back when I first left home; it had ended without a fight, and we’d been on the same team ever since then. But sometimes, I think the bastard was keen to know who would come out on top.
He was undoubtedly bigger, probably stronger too. But I was fast – it would be an even match. I eyed him up and down, trying to see him as an opponent. I laughed loudly. I just couldn’t do it. The guy was a big teddy bear.
“My ugly ass?” I mock punched his arm. “We both know I’m the pretty one.” He chuckled deeply.
“Nah, Josh is the pretty one,” Logan chimed in.
I looked over at Josh. He was talking to Stacey and had her giggling and blushing.
Bloody ladies’ man.
“I can’t argue with that, man.” I took a swig of my beer. Rome, Logan and I sat and drank a few more beers. Eventually Stacey joined the girls and Josh came into the kitchen with us.
“So, what’s the deal with this stalker?” Logan asked me.
I looked around at the three men I knew I could trust with my life. “It’s escalating. She was tailed today.”
“Shit, man,” Rome muttered.
“Was she alone?” Josh asked.
I nodded and put my beer down. “Yeah, I messed up. Got stuck at work and let her drive home by herself.”
“She’s a tough girl. She’ll be fine,” Logan said as he looked out at El. “Any luck with pulling plates?”
“Haven’t heard,” I replied. “I’ll call my guy first thing Monday, I just want to enjoy the weekend.” I flipped my head in the direction of the girls. “I’m glad they wanted to stay in tonight, I couldn’t handle that shit right now. But we won’t be staying in tomorrow and I’m gonna need a hand to watch them. El is my priority, but she’d skin me alive if anything happened to one of them.”
“I’ll keep my eyes on Q,” Rome said with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face.
I smirked. “I think the guy she’s been seeing will probably have that covered.”
His smile dropped pretty quickly.
“I think El’s brother ,Reeve, and his girl ,Lisa, will be coming out too, but if you guys can help keep track of Brooke, Stace and Jem I’d be a happy man. I’ve heard they’re a handful.”
Josh snorted. “I think if we’ve kept this big bastard out of jail this long.” He pointed at Rome. “Those girls should be a walk in the park.”
“Q’s sorted us a VIP section in Colt’s club, so at least we’ll be contained, but shit, man, if it goes down anything like the last time I went out with Q and Brooke, you’re gonna need to bring your A game and watch your backs.”
Josh raised his eyebrows at me in question.
I nodded. “I’m telling you now, it was like girls gone wild.”
I shook my head as they all laughed in disbelief like the fools they were.
***
“I hope you had a good time with everyone, baby.” I came up behind El and wrapped my arms around her waist. She was in my bathroom, brushing her teeth. She was wearing another one of my t-shirts and I loved it. She looked sexy as hell with just the very bottom of her perky ass peeking out.
I’m hard just thinking about it.
She grinned with her pink toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. She rinsed her mouth and spun around in my arms. “I had the best time. It was just what I needed.”
“Me too, pretty girl.” I kissed her forehead.
“Your boys are pretty entertaining.” She giggled.
Bloody clowns.
“Yeah, they are certainly something.”
“Q was right, Rome hasn’t got any idea of the shit that comes out his mouth, does he?”
I snorted. “Not a single fuck is given by that man.”
“God, he’s so funny.” She pulled away from my arms and tugged my hand in the direction of the bedroom.
“Sorry if he hit on you. I swear his main goal in life is to piss me off.”
I stretched out on the mattress, and El jumped in what had become her side of the bed. “I know he’s just messing around.” She snuggled into my side. “I think my Brookie might be a bit of a fan.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Really? Is she right in the head?” I chuckled.
“Lawson Pierce!” El mock scolded me. “She’s the smartest woman I know. She just likes her men big and straight up.”
“Well Rome sure ticks those boxes.”
El started tracing light patterns on my bare chest. “Did you get a chance to talk with Logan?”
I’d told El that I was planning on offering him a job.
“Yeah, he’s in. He’s even going to start Monday, so that solves my project manager problem.�
�
“That’s perfect. I’m glad you can help each other out. I’m happy I’ll have a chance to get to know him better.”
“Yeah, I actually offered him a room here until he gets on his feet. I hope you don’t mind.”
Shit. I should have talked to her first.
Ellerslie propped herself up on her elbow and looked right at me. “Lawson, he’s your best friend. Of course I don’t mind. And even if I did, this is your home, I’d have no right.”
I stared into her big blue eyes and saw my future. Any part of my future that didn’t involve this beautiful woman, simply wasn’t worth experiencing.
“I was hoping this might be your home too,” I told her quietly.
Her breathing faltered and she gripped my arm a little tighter. Her eyes never left mine. I could tell she was at a loss for words – I was hoping like hell she was trying to figure out how to say yes to me.
“Ever since you called my house, home, I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I know the current circumstances keeping you here with me are less than ideal, but I don’t think I can go back to the way things were before. I’d miss your smell on my sheets, your makeup all over my bathroom, your shoes in the wardrobe. I love the sight of your Jeep in the garage and your washing in the basket.”
She was looking at me in bewilderment.
“I want to fall asleep next to you every night and wake up to you every morning. You’re the most important part of my life now, pretty girl. I built this whole house, but it wasn’t really a home until you arrived. You’re the difference.”
“That was some speech,” she whispered.
“Sorry, I got on a roll.” I chuckled nervously.
Since when do I get nervous?
She hadn’t said no. But she also hadn’t said yes. “So... what do you think?” I prompted.
“I think you had me at ‘I was hoping...’” She smiled sweetly.
Holy shit, did she just say yes to me?
“Are you serious? You’ll move in here?”
I am the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet.
“I will,” she whispered. “But on one condition.”
I nodded for her to continue.
Love like Yours Series (Box Set #1-4) Page 30