Piece by Piece (The Riggins Brothers #2) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,46
so badly to whisper those words to her. I’ve never been envious of my big brother, but here and now, I wish I had the freedom with my emotions as he does. I don’t want to scare Layla away. I know she needs time, and I’m determined to give it to her. She’ll get to where I am. I’ll make sure of it. “I’m glad you’re here,” I say instead.
Those baby blues sparkle when she looks up at me. “Get to work, Riggins,” she teases.
Unable to resist, I place another kiss on her lips and pull away. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Hey, I only got one.” Royce winks as he leans in and kisses Sawyer again. “There. That’s better.” He pulls away and turns, stalking toward his office. I do the same, even though the pull to stay near her is strong. So strong, in fact, that I get not a single thing accomplished the remainder of the day.
By the time five o’clock rolls around, my computer is shut down, and I’m standing next to her desk, waiting to take her home with me—our home. So much has changed in my life in such a short span of time, but they’re all for the better. Instead of going home alone to work, I’m going home to hold her. To kiss her soft lips. There is nothing in this world I’d rather do.
Chapter 16
Layla
“That man…” Sawyer plops down in the chair next to me. “I swear he’s got a corncob shoved up his ass today,” she huffs.
“Trouble in paradise?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. Sawyer and I have gotten close over the last month. We work side by side here at Riggins Enterprises, and we spend a lot of time out of the office together too.
“He’s just being broody Royce today.”
I can’t help but laugh at her. I learned quickly that Sawyer claims there are many layers to Royce. At first, I thought she was exaggerating, but as time passes by, I can see it. He wears many different hats, and running the company is a lot of stress on him. More so than his brothers, next to Owen, of course. He has the financials. My man is hella smart. “What did he do this time?”
“I simply suggested he was burnt out. He’s been working endless hours the last three months trying to get the new location in Michigan up and running. He bit my head off and said there was no time for breaks. I know he’s stressed, and he’s going to apologize once how he spoke to me settles into his mind, but damn, it’s been a while since I’ve dealt with broody Royce. He’s been my sweet, loving fiancé for so long I almost forgot this layer of his personality existed.”
“We should go out to dinner tonight, maybe grab a drink,” I suggest. “Maybe the two of you just need a break.”
“We do spend a lot of time with them, don’t we? How are things with you and Owen?”
“Good.” Sawyer grins, and I know I can’t hide the dreamy tone of voice. It’s just something that happens when I think or talk about Owen. I can’t control it.
“Ah, the honeymoon phase. Royce and I had that as well, once he pulled his broody head out of his ass,” she says, smirking.
“Dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Call Sam, see if she can get out for a couple of hours. We’ll make it a girls’ night.” Six months ago, that suggestion would have never come out of my mouth. I’ve grown as a person since moving to Tennessee. I know it’s Owen’s influence on my life. I have more money in my bank account than ever before, a safe place to lay my head at night, and a man I’ve fallen madly in love with, even if he doesn’t know it.
“Good idea. Too bad Hadley and Derek are visiting his grandparents.” Sawyer reaches for her phone to call Sam, who, from Sawyer’s reaction, quickly agrees.
“Where?” Sawyer asks me, pulling the phone away from her ear.
“Anywhere.” I shrug. “You pick, or Sam can pick. I’m easy.”
“Not my place.” I hear Sawyer say. “Royce is being broody.” She listens for a beat. “Yeah, your place is out. We know Jase will hover.” She laughs. “Let me ask her.” She pulls the phone away again. “Hey, Sam suggested one of our places since she’s still nursing Aria. Jase is home, so he’ll hover, and my place is out. What about yours?”