Page 66 of Release Me

I nuzzle my cheek against Rian’s chiselled chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart beating. I tilt my face up to stare at his, committing every detail of this moment to memory. His thick, dark lashes slowly flutter open.

‘Good morning,’ I whisper.

‘Any morning I wake up next to you is a great morning,’ he mumbles, pulling me tighter against his torso. ‘I overslept. I was supposed to wake you up with my tongue.’

‘It must have been the sleep meditation,’ I shrug.

‘No, I think it was having you in my arms, and maybe the fact I was tired after the best blowjob of my life.’ His lips curl upwards.

Heat floods my veins at the memory. ‘How about another one?’

‘Only if you sit on my face again.’ He cocks his head, beckoning me upwards.

‘If you insist.’ I rock on top of him, shimmying up his chest. ‘But this is the last time, okay?’

Am I telling him that?

Or myself?

Six hours and another lavish meal later—and I’m not referring to Rian’s giant dick—Thomson is loading my overnight bag into the car. Low clouds linger in the bleak-looking sky. The pristine, sparkling snow has melted, leaving that sludgy, dirty mushy mess—a perfect reflection of how I feel on the inside.

‘Thank you so much for having me.’ I hug Vivienne, her Chanel perfume wrapping around me like a blanket.

‘You are very welcome, my dear.’ She squeezes me in a tight embrace. I don’t miss the pity in her eyes. ‘Are you sure you won’t stay another night?’

‘I’d love to, but I can’t.’ If I do, I may never leave.

‘I like you, Rebekka,’ she whispers, and I suck in my breath waiting for the impending “but…”

‘I like you, and I know my son likes you.’ Concern creeps into the corners of her eyes. ‘Loves you even.’

My mouth parts, but words won’t come. What am I supposed to say to that?

‘I want you to know that you have my blessing. You will always have a place at my table, in my home and in our lives. But, please, don’t string my son along if you don’t feel the same way as he clearly feels about you.’

‘I—’

‘No need to say anything, dear. I know the situation. I feel for you. I really do. And while nobody wants the “D” word, sometimes it’s necessary.’

‘It might be necessary, but it’s not an option. Not for me anyway,’ I whisper back. Sympathy floods her face.

‘My sons are very creative. If you want help, ask for help.’ She pats my arm and steps back. ‘You’re a lovely girl, Rebekka. I can see why he’s so enamoured with you.’

I clear my throat. It’s no surprise his family have noticed the chemistry burning up between us. They had first row seats. But what does surprise me is their easy acceptance of the situation. Rian was so certain that his family wouldn’t approve.

‘Take care of yourself, pet. My door is always open.’ Her eyes fall to my left hand. Specifically to the obscenely large rings on my fourth finger. ‘Just try to get rid of those before you cross a threshold you can’t cross back.’ There’s no malice in her tone. Just warmth and kindness.

My throat throbs. ‘Yes. And thank you.’

‘We’ll miss you.’ Avery, Scarlett, Ivy, Layla and Zara hug me in turn.

‘I’ll miss you, but I better get home. I’ve got a lot of work on.’

‘I want all the details when I get back to Dublin,’ Ivy whispers in my ear.

The Beckett boys all bid me goodbye with a polite kiss on the cheek. Rian hangs back until everyone else has returnedinside. He stares pointedly at Thomson and clears his throat. Thomson opens the driver’s door of the Bentley and slips inside, leaving us alone.

‘I wish things could be different.’ I sigh, my breath fogging in front of my face.