Page 40 of Unconventionally, Elle

"I may have to run Dad's company, and I may be stuck in the family business for now, but at least I can get away on the weekends and be on the water.

" He laughed. "I've always been able to buy my own sailboat, but I never thought to actually do it.

I never thought I could dream and make any of it a reality.

Thank you, Elle. You've brought so much light to my life, and I seriously don't know--just, God, I'm so glad I found you. "

I jumped up and hugged him. My heart was so incredibly happy that he was trying to be happy.

"Wanna see her up close?" he asked while holding me snug in his arms, my body pressed up against his chest.

"Is that even a question?" I pulled away to grab his hand. "Take me to your ship, Captain." I winked and he chuckled.

From our point of view on the harbor, we looked out over the side of Elizabeth 's hull at Main Street, where the king of Christmas trees was glistening.

Snow fell gently as Barrett stood behind me and rested his chin on the top of my head.

I leaned back into him and continued to stare at the Christmas tree and the beautiful sight of Nantucket.

The next morning, light trickled through the curtains, and snow was falling as we opened our eyes.

Barrett's arm was lying heavily across my body, possessive and strong.

I was holding his hand by my side and turned my face toward his.

His espresso-brown hair was tousled, and his cheeky grin was half hidden by the oversized duvet.

"I'm so comfortable, I don't want to get up, ever," I mumbled, curling closer to his body.

He pulled me into him and rolled onto his side, our bodies flush against each other. "Me either, but you've got writing to do today, and I'm going to drink coffee and watch Netflix while you slave over your bestseller." His husky whisper made goose bumps erupt down my neck.

"I mean, I might reward myself with a little Netflix and chill with you too." I pursed my lips together and flirtatiously pouted.

He rolled onto his back but kept his arm around me. With my head nestled on his shoulder, he negotiated with me. "Every thousand words, you get a kiss. Every two thousand, a kiss and an episode of any show you'd like."

"Fifteen hundred and you have a deal, sir."

He bent his head and kissed my forehead. "Deal."

When we got out of bed, I started toward the kitchen out of habit. I needed coffee, and I planned to make Barrett a cup as well. I was surprised when he interrupted me as I went to grab the coffeepot.

"I've got it, Elle. Here, go ahead and sit down so you can write. I'll be the barista today," he insisted with a cheesy smile and a proud puff of his chest.

"You're sure?" I asked, skeptical. "You know I'm very particular."

"Yep, I've got almond milk for you and everything." His eyes caught the sunlight and glistened in the morning glow.

"Perfect, you know just how I like it, then."

"Oh, do I?" His voice became deep and mischievous.

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Oh, shut up. I totally set myself up for that." I smirked and sat down on the couch. "Hurry over here. This couch is too big without you."

While writing, I kept gazing up at Barrett, at this charming home.

It was open and bright, with large windows and weathered wooden floors.

A massive stone fireplace anchored the living room, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere, while pops of navy and sandy beige echoed the nautical essence of Nantucket.

I thought about what his childhood must have been like.

Lonely, I assumed. With my legs crisscrossed on the couch and my laptop in my lap, I sat up straight and figured I'd find out.

"What was it like coming here as a child? Did Harold come with you guys?" I asked as I made sure my manuscript autosaved.

Barrett grabbed his coffee from the side table and then slightly pursed his lips in thought.

"Yeah, he was always with Em and me." He readjusted his seat and turned toward me; I motioned for him to put his legs across my lap.

He smiled as I closed my laptop and put it on the coffee table, then I helped place his long muscular legs over my thighs.

Without thinking, I began to massage his calves while he continued talking.

"My mom asked him to watch us a lot, and she would go off and do social events with the ladies on the island.

She was actually really involved with the museum.

Harold would take us to go see the tree every year, and we'd get hot chocolate from the local booths, because of course we were just kids.

" He chortled to himself, then continued with a wistful smile. "He really treated us like his own."

"Did he ever have any children?"

"No. His wife died before he worked for us, and he didn't have any family close by, so he always stayed at our house.

He has his own room and lives there. I'm not sure if that's common or not, but for us, it was nice because he was always there when our parents weren't. He's the reason Emma and I aren't monsters. "

I considered Barrett for a minute. "Hmm, that's interesting." My hands stopped massaging his legs while his words lingered in the air, pulling my focus away.

"What is?" Barrett was looking back at the TV. The Office was playing because he knew that I could still write even with it on the television. He laughed at something Michael Scott did and then turned his gaze back to mine.

"Well, I guess the fact that here I was, thinking you had a perfect family, ya know?

Mom and dad and all that. And I was the one who wasn't 'normal.

' My grandparents adopted me and raised me--not normal.

But your butler raised you and your sister.

It just goes to show, things aren't always what they appear. "

His lips pulled to one side, and he crossed his arms over his chest and appraised me with his quirky grin. "Elle, you're something else. Jealous of my family dynamic? Oh my God. Normal?" He snorted and shook his head.

I was confused.

"Yeah," he said with a soft chuckle, "our butler raised us, but things are certainly never as they appear. And just so you know"--his face became serious and firm--"you are most certainly normal. Just because your grandparents raised you doesn't mean you didn't have a real family."

I looked away, shy about the conversation.

It wasn't easy taking compliments or validation.

That's probably why Tina tried to do it as much as possible in our sessions.

Even if I knew I wasn't abnormal, sometimes it still felt that way.

Not to have the perfect family, the mom and dad who were always there, it made holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day a real bitch.

"Very true," I replied slowly. "But I still feel differently about it. There was no mom and no dad." Then I whispered, "Barrett, they didn't want me. They left me." My shoulders sagged and I hung my head as the words floated into existence.

His face changed instantly and became protective and angry.

He took his legs off my lap and sat on one as he scooted closer to me on the couch.

Then he gently placed his arm around my shoulders and hugged me toward him.

"Elle, fuck your mom and dad." His voice was firm and strong.

"Your grandparents loved you, and that's all that matters.

They wanted you, they loved you, and as far as I'm concerned, they were your parents.

If anyone else says otherwise, then fuck them too. "

I looked up, tears glistening on my cheeks.

"I'm serious. They loved you, Elle. And I love you. And I'm not going anywhere." His grip tightened and I relaxed into his embrace.

"I love you," I whispered with my eyes closed. I wanted to drown in his masculine scent and strong arms. So safe. I felt him kiss the top of my head.

"Did I tell you I have a surprise for us tomorrow?

Assuming you want to take the day off writing, I think you'll like what I have planned.

" He rested his head on mine and took a deep inhale.

"Also, did I ever tell you that I love the way you smell?

Weird, right? But you smell so good, like coconut and something, I don't know, but it's just so good.

" He chuckled, and his chest expanded under my head. I sat up with narrowed playful eyes.

"What? Another surprise? What are you up to, Barrett Henry?" My voice was incredulous and sensual.

"You'll have to wait and see," he whispered into my ear.

Then he kissed me.