“So, what’s on the agenda? What do we need to do while we’re here?” I ask. I’m trying to get us on an even playing ground, and I need to stop thinking about her in any way other than my brother’s future sister-in-law. She’s always just been Aspen before now. Gorgeous, fun, friendly Aspen. Today, she’s more than that. She’s all smooth skin and luscious lips.
Fuck. Stop. Thinking. About. Her.
“Nothing major,” she replies. She’s completely unaware of my thoughts and what sitting here with her like this is doing to me. “The caterers are supposed to deliver supplies on Tuesday and will be back on Saturday for the wedding to set up. There’s a decorating crew that’s supposed to do the same. I think Aurora just wanted me here, just in case, you know? She’s worried something is going to go wrong.”
“Grant won’t let that happen. Trust me. It won’t matter what he has to do. He’s going to make sure that this wedding is exactly what she wants it to be.”
“What about him?”
I shrug. “Like my brothers who’ve taken the leap before him, he just wants her to be happy. It’s not where, when, or how they get married. It’s that they get married. He wants her to be his wife, change her last name, and make babies.”
“What about you? Is that what you want?”
“Yeah, I mean, isn’t that the goal?”
“I don’t know. You don’t seem too eager to settle down.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to settle down. It’s that I’ve yet to meet someone I want to settle with. Every day of forever is a long-ass time. I want to know that the woman I choose is just as invested as I am.”
“You don’t think you’ve met her?”
“No. Everyone I meet knows who we are. They know I’m a Riggins, and they see dollar signs. My brothers have been lucky enough to find women who love them for who they are. Sawyer, Layla, and Aurora don’t give a fuck about our money. They just want them. That’s what I’m waiting for.”
“And when you find her?”
“I’m never going to let go.” Settling down isn’t at the top of my list of priorities, but I will admit watching my three older brothers, and seeing how happy they are, does appeal to me. As I venture into the later side of my twenties, the random nights out aren’t as fun as they used to be. I guess that means I’m getting old.
“Wow,” she breathes.
“What?”
She shakes her head. “I just wasn’t expecting that kind of reply from you. I guess I’ve never seen you this serious.”
“I can be serious when I need to be. I take my job seriously, and I take my position as a son, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle very seriously.”
“Still competing for that favorite uncle title?” She chuckles.
“Yep. I was at the top of the leader board until last weekend when Grant and Aurora brought Carter cookies.” My confession makes her laugh. Not just any laugh. This one is from somewhere deep inside her. Her head is thrown back, and the sound of pure glee surrounds us. It’s intoxicating.
So is she.
The conversation is easy as we finish our meal. “Ready to make cookies?” I ask as she pushes her empty plate away from her.
“Yes, but no. I’m stuffed. I ate so much. I don’t think I can move,” she groans, placing her hands over her toned flat belly. I know this because of the towel incident at the top of the stairs that’s still burned in my brain. It’s a moment I will never in my life forget.
“Okay, no cookies,” I concede. “How about a movie?” I stand to gather our plates and place them in the dishwasher.
“Perfect. Now, if you could just carry me to wherever this event is happening, that would be great.”
Visions of the two of us lying naked in my bed, watching TV, flashes through my mind. It’s so clear it almost brings me to my knees. “I can arrange that.” I stand and lift her into my arms bridal style. She yelps out in surprise but doesn’t hesitate to link her arms around my neck and hold on. Her scent, that same lavender from earlier, assaults me. “Where to?” My voice is thick.
“Um, what are our options?”
“Basement, theater, living room, or either of our bedrooms. All four have TVs.”
“Y-You decide,” she replies, almost breathless.
I head toward the stairs, but I make a quick right to the basement instead. If I take her to either of our rooms, I know she will be impossible for me to resist. So, basement theater it is. There are recliners down there and a huge couch, with a chaise lounge big enough for me and all four of my brothers. That’s the perfect spot for the two of us to snuggle. Snuggle? I’m losing my damn mind. I don’t snuggle.
The grip she has around my neck tightens as we descend the stairs into the basement. I manage to turn on the lights with my elbow before carrying her to the chaise lounge and gently setting her down. I miss the feel of her in my arms instantly, and that is not something that’s ever happened to me before.
Walking over to a big trunk, I pull out a soft blanket and toss it to her. She smiles and wastes no time snuggling underneath it. Grabbing the remote for the projection screen, I power it on and kill the lights, bathing the room in darkness, nothing but the glow of the screen to light my path back to her.
I don’t ask her if it’s okay if I sit next to her. I don’t ask her if it’s okay if we share a blanket. Instead, I take the seat and pull the covers over me. “What do you want to watch?” I pull up the streaming app and begin to scroll through the options.
“Oh, I’ll have to watch that one when you’re asleep,” she says when I land on a chick flick.
“Why not watch it now?”
“It’s a romance.” She says it like I’m crazy for even suggesting it.
“And? Am I not allowed to enjoy a good romance?”
“Do you?”
“My mom loved these movies. It didn’t matter that there were six males living in the house with her. We watched them with her. As long as it’s got a good plot, I’m all in.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up. “I’ve been dying to watch it, but I’ve been pulling extra time training the new staff and helping Rory with the wedding planning.”
“Well, tonight is your lucky night.” I hit Play for the movie, tossing the remote beside me on the lounge, and without a thought, I put my arm around her shoulders and pull her close to me.
“What’s this?” she asks, resting her hand against my chest.
“Shh, the movie’s starting.” I avoid her question because I don’t know the answer. All I know is that she’s close, and she needs to be in my arms. I can’t give her or myself any other explanation than that.
Chapter 5
Aspen
I don’t know what’s going on. His arm is around me, and my head is resting against his chest. A movie I’ve been dying to watch is playing on the massive projection screen, and all I can focus on is how good he smells and how warm he is. I snuggle a little closer, and his grip tightens on my shoulder.
It’s been too long since I’ve been held like this. Not since moving to Nashville. To be honest, watching what Aurora went through with her ex had me running scared from relationships. I’ve been on a few dates, but nothing serious or long term. More of dinner, maybe some dancing, and then we go our separate ways.