No Turning Back (Breaking the Rules #4) - A.M. Madden Page 0,75
date.”
“I was thinking about that. How about next fall?”
“Next fall? That’s eighteen months away!” A fucking eternity. Yes, I was proud of her for doing something so selfless. But selfishly I wanted our lives to begin… and until she delivered, I felt we were in a holding pattern. “Why do I have to wait so long?”
“You’re not waiting for anything, Ryder. You have me. We live together. I already share your last name.” She giggled adorably. “It’s just a piece of paper.” I searched her eyes and didn’t like the uncertainty I saw.
“What’s wrong, Ree?”
“Nothing is wrong,” she was quick to reply. “It’s just that my mom and I would go to this gorgeous park near where I grew up.”
“Benson Park.”
“Yes. There’s that gazebo nestled in between those gorgeous maple trees. When the leaves turn, it’s so beautiful. Mom and I would imagine a bride and groom exchanging their vows with the golds and reds serving as a backdrop. To have a wedding there would be so—”
I placed a finger over her lips. “Enough said. We will be married next fall in that gazebo.” Her stomach grumbling in agreement had me chuckling at her expense. I kissed her nose. “You’re hungry, and I need a break. Let’s go grab lunch on the beach.”
“Are you sure? I can make us something else.”
“I’m positive.” Whatever catastrophe I dealt with would be there whether I took time to be with her or not. Ending any further argument, I took her hand and dragged her out of the condo. Fuck it.
Sure, I appreciated the day off in the middle of the week… something I hadn’t done in months. But the way we were spending it was not my scene.
There must have been thirty people at the Puglias’ when we arrived. An incredible buffet and an open bar made for a boisterous crowd, and the noise level rivaled a small concert venue in Miami. I couldn’t imagine their neighbors being happy; then again most of them were there.
If I had the choice, I’d be on our beach until the heat became unbearable. I’d then drag Riana back to our place so we could fuck the afternoon away in the cool tranquility of our bedroom.
When Riana’s gaze landed on me from where she sat on the edge of the pool, I winked and earned a smile. All day long she’d been checking to be sure I was okay. She knew me well, going as far as claiming we’d stay only an hour or so. But she was having so much fun, and I knew if she wanted to stay all night I would.
Not having any family of her own, I’d never deny her spending time with the one she’d adopted. Cooper, Ricky, even Rebecca and Marco were her family. Their friends were now Riana’s friends. Out of our little bubble, she was distracted in the best of ways. There wasn’t a trace of concern that had been the norm since Wes had opened his fat mouth about our business.
Seeing the smile on her face made my torment worth it. Specifically, sweating my balls off while listening to disgusting diaper-disaster stories.
“You have kids, man?” The ringleader of the circle I’d been stuck in asked. In my defense, I’d invited myself in because the table they sat around was closest to the rotating fan.
“No… no kids. Just a feisty dog.”
“Ah, that’s a piece of cake. Even my dog’s worst day doesn’t compare to explosive diarrhea in a onesie.” Seriously? What the fuck with the defecating obsession?
I forced a laugh. “Sounds terrifying.” Needing out of there, I excused myself from the circle of dads, overhearing one of them saying, “I think we scared him away.”
That was a fucking understatement, I thought, heading toward Riana. “Hey, honey. Are you okay?” she asked when I squatted beside her.
“Absolutely,” I lied.
“We can head out whenever you’re ready.”
“Oh no. You can’t leave yet,” Rebecca said with a pout. “Marco arranged a surprise later.”
When Riana flicked her eyes to me, I said, “Of course we’ll stay. I just need a cold drink. Do you want one?”
She lifted her iced tea. “I’m good.”
Kissing her chastely, I said, “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
I made my way into the house, where a bartender had been set up. The air-conditioning felt amazing, which explained the dozen or so people that were scattered around the great room. No sooner had I asked for a bottle of Heineken than Cooper sauntered over.