Page 72 of Fall Over You

Her lips curl up, I growl and push past her. A bathroom’s a bathroom, and I can splash cold water on my face in either one. I regain my composure and when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I look myself over and review the facts.

I’m a grown man.

I’m a dad.

I’m getting married to my best friend’s little sister.

And I’ll be damned if I don’t do right by her.

The words she said to Darcy about what she wanted in a marriage come to mind: for them to want me so bad they’ll throw me over their shoulder and need to have me right this second.

This day has been so much to take in, a whirlwind of Becca and shoving down all my doubts. We’re doing this, and it’s not going to succeed if I’m not all-in. It shouldn’t matter if I’m wounded from my last relationship. That was then, this is now.

What I said to my dad is true. It’s time to live a little, to put my happiness first.

I want Becca, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t let myself have her.

Leaving the bathroom, I’ve got laser focus looking for Becca. She’s talking to one of the fucking Dentons from the lumberyard, the family that has been at the top of my shit list since they almost hurt Becca years ago. My hand grips her waist and I lean down to her ear. “Dance with me.”

Becca’s lips curl into a grin. “Okay.”

“You were talking to one of the Dentons?” I ask as we walk.

Her mouth drops open further. “Are you jealous, grumpy?”

“No.” I turn her to face me on the dance floor.

“Carver Denton is harmless. His brothers on the other hand . . . ”

“I fucking remember,” I bite out. “They’re animals.”

“Speaking of,” she says with a smirk. “I thought you didn’t dance.”

My hands swallow her waist as I try to cover every inch of her with me. I need her so close that she becomes a part of me.

Everyone knows she’s mine and it’s time I started claiming her like she is. I spin her once and pull her into me. My hand slips into her hair and I tip her face up. “I do now.”

I bend that last inch and kiss her, pulse racing, stomach dropping, holding my breath because if I breathe, I’ll pant. Becca’s hands loop behind my neck and she plays with the hair at my nape. I finally gasp in a breath and Becca hums into my mouth, tongue seeking mine. Her lips are pliant, her kiss even better than I remember, and I’ve replayed it constantly since it happened.

When we finally part, she giggles. “What’s gotten into you?” She fakes looking around. “You still got that baseball bat to scare off potential suitors?”

I shake my head, and she’s fucking around but I’m serious as the grave. “You’re wearing my ring now. There aren’t going to be potential suitors.”

She sniffs and twists her lips. “Guess somebody’s gotta keep up with their husbandly duties then.”

She’s fucking with me, and she’s about to find out. “I will.”

Her eyes dance and she’s killing me with how fucking stunning she is. Her lips are pink and swollen and I did that to her. My stomach is in knots and my hands are starting to sweat. I’m about to be bold in front of her family and mine, in front of all the wash-ups and degenerates present in this hole.

I need to have her right now.

“I don’t really believe y—” She squeals as I haul her over my shoulder, barring one arm behind her thighs and holding her in place with my other hand.

Jake and Darcy are out on the dance floor now and I turn to talk to Jake. “Pick us up at the garage in an hour.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

BECCA