Third Chances (Men Of Manhattan #2) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,78

kind of nice of her to worry though?"

"No. She didn't talk about it in a nice way. She was judging me for not getting you help when you don't need any. She went bat shit crazy. Look, if anything, I'm grateful to you. I don't want anything to do with her."

"If you say so."

"I do say so."

"I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back." He stood up.

"No more phone calls or Matt and Mason will try to beat me up."

James laughed. "I kind of got that when you all came charging at me while I was on the phone this morning. Thanks for trying to stop them by the way. But I'm not going to call Penny. I've already made my one phone call while being held here against my will."

"Are you seriously comparing paradise to prison?"

"It's not paradise without my girl."

"Matt's right. You're totally whipped."

"Trust me, if Penny and I were into that kind of thing, I'd be the one whipping her, not the other way around."

"I never know if you're joking, or if you and Penny are really just the kinkiest couple ever. If it's the latter, I'm so jealous."

"It's the latter."

I groaned. I was horny. I had gotten at least five hard-ons yesterday thinking about being inside Daphne. She was such a tease. I didn't need images of Penny naked and being punished running through my head. "By the way, did you enjoy that magazine and lotion this morning?"

"Nope. If she wants me to wait, I'll wait. But I'm pretty sure that wait will be over tonight, if you know what I mean."

"Go pee, you pervert."

James laughed and walked toward the hotel.

I picked up the book he was reading. How was he not mad about Daphne jumping to conclusions about him? I guess he didn't need to be. I was mad enough for both of us. I looked down at the book. It was something boring about real estate. I had no idea why he found pleasure in reading stuff like this. I opened it up and a piece of paper fell onto my lap. I unfolded it and looked down at the letter.

Penny,

You once asked me if I was a believer in fate. I am because of you. When you fell into my arms, I had no idea that my life was about to change forever. But you knew. You fought for me when I didn't deserve anyone on my side. Your persistence and stubbornness and beauty brought me to my knee after only knowing you for two months. I'm crazy about you and I can't wait for our future. I can't wait for our lives together with you as my wife. You showed me that our pasts don't matter. You see a goodness in me that I was never able to see in myself. You make me want to be a better man for you. You saved me, Penny. You are the air I breathe. You are the dreams I dream. You are the light of my life. I'm consumed by your beauty, inside and out. I'm the lucky one. And I don't know why you picked me. But I'm grateful every day. When I wake up every morning and see your face, I'm reminded that I am the luckiest man alive. I just need you to know that you can always fall into my arms. I'll always be there to catch you.

It wasn't a letter. These were his vows. My eyes had actually gotten a little teary reading them. I folded the paper and put it back in his book.

I wasn't sure if I'd ever feel this way about someone. It wasn't just about how much he loved her. It was his commitment to her. That he'd always be there for her. That was just how James was. He had always been there for me too.

That wasn't me. I was unreliable. I traveled more than I stayed at home. I didn't have roots. My sister, James, and Penny were the closest thing I had to roots. But it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to keep me grounded. For awhile I thought committing to someone would mean the end to my adventure, the end to truly living. But James didn't make it sound like that. He seemed so excited to marry her and so excited for their future. Maybe falling in love was just the beginning of a different journey.

I tossed the book back onto James' chair. It didn't matter. It wasn't like