8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Moore

The next morning, I still haven't taken off my ring. If I hadn't watched Winter make it, I'd be surprised to find out it's a homemade craft. It's incredibly smooth and the pink streaks of blood look like marble throughout the white clay.

We talked all day after cleaning up, learning more about one another while glowing in our post-shower mood. Though I didn't mind if she wasn't taking anything, I acted like a semi-responsible man and inquired about birth control. Since I took her raw and filled her to the fucking brim with cum, I had to know. She'd definitely be knocked up if she didn't have an implant.

Apparently it helps her with her period, stopping it almost entirely. She likes not having cramps and only spotting once a month for a day or two. Even so, she volunteered to have it removed in favor of having my babies. Using those exact words.

I almost bent her over to breed her—implant and all—just hearing the idea come from her mouth. But she's so young and I should enjoy our love with just the two of us for at least a little while longer. When I suggested waiting a year to have her all to myself, she readily agreed.

She also explained her desire to visit the bookstore in Salem she brought up once before. Apparently, the place specializes in the second chances of books. Aptly named DNF, the place is full of chaotic reads, smutty or otherwise. With the way she speaks about unhinged novels and novellas, I know I've got the most adorable, yet feral, bookworm on my hands.

The first thing I'm going to order for her when we get home is her ring and shortly after that, a credit card with her name on it. And following those? A fat stack of books from The DNF Bookstore with the promise to take her there myself once we're settled in. Probably a new E-reader too, since hers looks ancient. I'm going to need to make a list of all the things I want to give her, because the more I think about it, the more ideas I get.

She'll need new clothes, of course. While she has a couple outfits in her small box of belongings, they're old and worn and not very warm. She'll need warm things to wear for Massachusetts this time of year.

For now, she's wearing one of my shirts like a dress as it falls to her knees. As sexy as she looks, she can't tumble around in my wardrobe forever. Winter needs frilly pink dresses and sparkly skirts. She definitely needs pink wool-lined leggings and pretty sweaters for the colder weather. She's a girly girl to her core and has confessed as much. I'm sure my sister will be more than thrilled to show her all of her favorite boutiques. Even more thrilled to swipe my card, I bet.

"Finally getting the hell out of here?" Rob asks.

He stands next to me while I watch Winter say goodbye to Nancy from several feet away. The older woman looks a little concerned—likely at how intense Winter and I have become so quickly—but mostly happy for us.

"No reason to stay," I grunt in response.

"No, I imagine not," he replies with a chuckle. "Already packed up your things?"

There wasn't much to pack, but yes.

"We're ready," I answer firmly. "The chopper is nearly good to go, too."

"Wasting no time, good man," Rob comments with a nod. "You know, everyone here is very happy for you, but we'll miss having you around. You get shit done, Moore."

I like Rob, a lot more than some of the other men here. But I won't miss him or this place. I feel like a whole new person, ready to leave the past behind me and move on with my girl.

"Don't worry, I'll have a replacement here that reports directly to me. I won't stick you guys with just anyone."

He laughs, tipping his head back. "Good. Because as good as you are at running this place, I don't want to see you back here. You need to be with your woman."

"Couldn't agree more, Rob. Couldn't agree more."

The two of us shake hands and part ways just in time for Winter to come crashing into my chest. She's been giddy for hours, giving me hugs and kisses whenever she can. It's so sweet and infectious.

Wrapping my arms around her too, I bury my nose into her hair, inhaling. She always smells so fresh and feminine. It's truly intoxicating.

"You ready to go, sugar?"

"So ready," she exclaims, kissing my chest before ending our embrace. "Do you think we can fool around in the helicopter?"

I have to laugh lightly at that. "As fun as that sounds, considering I'll be flying us, that's probably not a good idea."

"You can fly a helicopter?" she bursts out in surprise. "Is there anything you can't do?"

"I'm a horrible baker," I answer honestly. "There's never been a cookie in my oven that I didn't somehow destroy."

She bubbles with laughter. "Don't worry, handsome. I'll bake you cookies."

"Yeah?"

"Uh-huh," she sings sweetly. "What about the plane later, are you flying that?"

"Definitely not," I snort. "I don't want the liability of flying anything my parents own."

Her mouth falls open. "So you own the helicopter?"

"Morris and I share it," I say with a shrug.

It's mostly used for this place, so Morris doesn't use it a lot, even though he has the right too. We bought it together like seven years ago at this point.

"You're like, stupid rich, you know that?" Winter teases.

" We're stupid rich," I correct.

My girl blushes.

"You know, I won't be offended if you want a prenup before we tie the knot."

"Not going to happen, sweetheart. If you decide to leave me one day, you'll be doing it with half my shit. I'm going to take care of you for the rest of my life whether you get tired of me or not."

"Well," she huffs. "It's a good thing I could never get tired of you then, isn't it?"

"It sure fucking is."

As soon as Winter and I step onto the private air tarmac, I spot Morris. He looks exactly like I remember. Tall and slim with his perfectly trimmed brown hair, wearing a designer suit and matching black shades. He's the picture of a cold businessman millionaire, but his smile adds a kind of warmth that can't be faked.

From here, I can see a small bag in his hands. Clothes from Meghan, I hope. I had asked him to bring her something warm that would fit and I'm glad I did. We're not even on the East coast yet and her legs are breaking out into little chills. Thankfully, we'll be hopping right on to the private jet where the temperature is controlled.

Grabbing her hand in mine, I direct my girl over to my brother. The wind is whipping her white hair all around, the locks tickling her neck and making her giggle with delight.

"There he is," Morris greets, yelling over the sound of nearby planes and traffic. Without warning, he bear hugs me, slapping me hard on the back. "S'been too fucking long, brother."

He lets me go without another word, pulling Winter into a more gentle, friendly hug. "It's so good to meet you, Winter. I have clothes for you."

"Eep," she squeaks happily. "Thank you! I'm happy to meet you, too."

Stealing the bag from him, I hand it to my girl and tell her to go into the plane to change. She happily agrees and rushes up the steps, ready to cover her legs, I'm sure.

"Jesus," Morris says once she's out of ear-shot. "I can see why you came home. She looks like a mermaid fairy-princess, man."

Laughing at his description, I shake my head. "You have no fucking idea."

He grins. "Did she really kiss you right after you saved her?"

"Hasn't stopped kissing me since," I boast, unashamed to brag to my little brother. "What about you? Have you found your fairy-princess mermaid yet?"

"Nah," he replies with a shrug. "Might have found my prince charming, though."

Surprise makes my eyebrows lift. "Yeah?"

"He's a yoga instructor at the gym in town," Morris says, a no-shit blush brightening his cheeks. "Is that… is that okay with you?"

My hands surround his shoulders. "Fuck yes, it's okay with me. Does everyone else know?"

Letting out a relieved breath, he smiles. "Yeah, I brought him to dinner last week. I'm going to ask him to move into my place soon."

"That's great, Morris," I tell him seriously. "I'm happy for you. Did you think I wouldn't be?"

He shakes his head. "Rationally, no. I knew you wouldn't be mad. Irrationally, I was hoping you wouldn't punch me. Coming out late in life… it's difficult."

"Well, I'm happy you told me. Winter's going to be even happier."

He looks surprised. "Really? Why?"

"My girl loves yoga."

"Yes I do!" she cheers, peeking out the plane door to look at the two of us. "Did you know this thing has snacks!?"

"She's perfect for you," Morris deadpans. "All of that sunshine for your grouchy ass? I couldn't have matched you better myself."

"I haven't felt grouchy since laying eyes on her, that's for sure."

The two of us board the plane, finding Winter speaking animatedly with the stewardess. She charms everyone she meets and I can't blame them. My future wife's smile is beyond infectious.

"The pink starbursts are mine," she proclaims when she sees me. "I haven't had these in two years. I'm in heaven."

She's wearing a cute pastel purple crewneck and a pair of black leggings with thick socks on her feet. Sipping from a bottle of coke and leaning back in her seat, fisting a bundle of candy, she looks perfectly content. All that's missing is her ring. That'll be rectified soon.

"Making yourself right at home, I see," Morris teases, sweeping a Kit Kat from the selection of unclaimed goodies. "My kind of girl."

"Morris was just telling me that his boyfriend teaches yoga near us," I inform her with a knowing smirk.

Immediately her face lights up. "Really? Oh my goooosh, that's so fun! Can I have his number? Wait, I need a phone to text him." Turning to me, she asks, "Can we get me a phone? I have no idea what Dad did with mine."

"Of course," I answer immediately, honored that she feels comfortable enough to ask.

I understand why she was concerned about looking money hungry before. My family is loaded and she's fifteen years my junior without a cent to her name. Her father stole from us, after all. Honestly, I'm not sure she even thinks about that, though, and I'm glad for it. I'll use our private investigators to dig up the money and bury the issue. It's not her fault and not her problem.

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I pass it to her. "Feel free to use mine for now. We'll get you your own ASAP, love."

Hesitantly, she takes the device. "You're sure? There isn't anything private on here?"

"I'm more than sure, sugar. I don't have anything to hide and I don't do business on my phone so there's nothing confidential."

Smiling to herself, she puckers her lips for a kiss and I lean down to oblige.

"I'm going to play Hello Kitty Island Adventure," she declares, kissing me twice more.

Morris snorts with laughter. "Text Meghan too, while you're at it. She's dying to meet you. I had to sneak off without her. I hate flying with her."

"How is she?" I ask as Winter looks for her contact.

"Good. She's dating some Chef guy now, but she says it's not serious."

"Nothing is serious with Meghan," I joke.

Meghan is like me but opposite. She's addicted to work, but the business kind. She's the only lawyer of the family and she got that degree purely to further our family's empire. She's married to work, but so was I not too long ago. Maybe she'll find someone who knocks the wind out of her the way my girl did to me.

Whatever happens, life is going to be good—I can feel it.

With Winter by my side, our future is bright .