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“Yeah. I want our kids to see both worlds, and I like New York. It’s been fun getting to know your brother and Muriella, and we could fit in there to some extent. Once we get some of this mess straightened out, I’m leaving SPE.”
She sagged against me. “Thank God. I can’t stand that place.”
“New York?”
“No. It’s not too bad. SPE.” Mulaney threaded her hand through mine. “We could start our own operation. Do things our way. Back to basics and what we love.”
“Just the two of us?”
“I’d bring Holly on and”—her feet dragged as she walked—“if you want your brother—”
“Why don’t you like him?” There’d been tension between them for as long as I could remember. She tried to act like nothing was wrong, especially in front of my father, but I’d caught their dirty looks in each other’s direction.
“He’s an asshole.”
I stopped. “Tell me how you really feel.”
She pulled me toward the house. “I’ll play nice for you and your mom and dad.”
“You already have been.”
Her hand tightened around mine. “He’s got a different side than he shows the rest of you.”
“He’s been through a lot,” I defended without thought. “He isn’t perfect, but nobody is. What he’s done to you is unacceptable.”
“Just—never mind. If you’d called one of my brothers an asshole, I’d have punched you.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Noted.”
I reached behind her and pulled on her ponytail.
“Hey. What was that for?”
“I used to do that right here in this yard whenever I got the chance.” The chaos of kids playing filled my mind.
“I remember. I pulled your hair back.”
“You know that meant you liked me.” I slowed and took her into my arms again.
She made an indignant noise. “No way.”
I kissed her forehead. “I liked you, just in a very strong form of dislike.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.” She dragged me toward her grandparents’ house. “It’s cold as hell out here.”
“We could detour by the barn. I’ve always wanted to fool around in one.”
“Mitch and Jules already claimed that spot. If you want—”
I pushed her back against a tree and kissed her. She wrapped a leg around my waist, and I threaded her hair around my fist.
“I want to go to sleep with you in my arms and wake up with you still there. I want to work right by your side and build something for our family.” I pressed my lips to her ear. “I want to fuck you until neither of us can move or speak.”
Her chest heaved up and down. “Easton Carter, my grandparents got married under this tree. You can’t talk like that on sacred ground.”
“Is this where you wanted to get married?” I nipped her earlobe.
“I always wanted to do it in a chapel with a lady preacher.”
