Page 78 of Final Proposal

“It’s neither here nor there,” I say, my chin bumping her shoulder. She’s talking. The last thing I want to do is turn the topic to me. But I also find it weird that for the first time, I actually want to talk to her about the biography. My reaction. The invalidation I feel over it. I want to see what she thinks. See if she understands when it seems my brothers think I’m being ridiculous.

“No redirecting,” I say and press a kiss to the back of her neck. “You never finished answering the question. What does professional success look like to you? Personal success? I want to know all the things, Ellery, and I’m not letting you off the hook until you give them to me.” I squeeze her waist tighter, pulling her against me.

“Professionally, I think I’m still figuring it all out. And I think that’s okay. Do I have to work? No. I can phone it in to collect that Haywood payroll check and cash out—but that isn’t satisfying to me. Maybe I do another something like this.” She gestures to the building all around us. “On a smaller scale so I don’t hyperventilate at the sale price.”

“You were a little pale.”

“A lot pale. Jesus.”

“And then I swooped in to save the day,” I tease, already prepared for the reaction because, if I know her as well as I think I do, Ellery Sinclair doesn’t need anyone to swoop in and rescue her.

Three.

Two—

“You didn’t swoop. I don’t need swooping.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “That was quicker than I thought.” She swats at me. “And believe me, I know more than anyone how very capable you are.” I kiss her shoulder. “So that’s professionally. What about personally?”

“I’d like to travel. My parents were big travelers. I have picture album after picture album that documented their trips. I think it would be cool to do the same. Stand in the same spots they did. Experience the same things. It sounds ridiculous, but maybe it would allow me to feel a little closer to them.”

“No. I get it. My brothers and I have all done things to feel a little closer to our parents since they’ve passed. There is absolutely no judgment or timeline on grief. It’s different for everyone. Besides, I think that’s a cool idea that you have that history to hold on to.”

“We’ll see if I ever get to it.”

“You bought an inn on a whim. I’m pretty sure you’ll get to it.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“When it comes to you, that’s a given.” Her part snort, part sigh tells me she’s about to refute my comment, so I just put a hand over her mouth. “Own it, Ellery. I don’t care what it takes, but by the end of this venture, you’re going to be nodding when I say that instead of snorting.”

Her sigh is all I need to know she heard me. And the slow lick of her tongue over the inside of my palm has blood pooling to my lap that she’s so conveniently perched on.

My chuckle is pained as I pull my hand away just as her grin is forming.

I will not be distracted by her seduction attempts. I mean, yes, I’m distracted and will welcome the chance to be again, but after this conversation. It’s a fucking miracle the woman is talking so I intend to keep her doing so.

“What’s wrong, Ford?” She wiggles her ass over my hardening cock. “Is there something distracting you?”

I close my eyes and suck in a breath as the warmth of her pussy seeps through her jeans and onto my cock.

“Nope.” I grit the words out and shift her so she’s sitting more on one thigh and less on my hard-on. It’s wishful thinking that it’ll help with the desire coursing through my body, but it’s worth a shot. “Not a thing.”

Ledger.

Callahan.

Ledger.

Callahan.

Thoughts of my brothers are a surefire way to give me a reverse boner.

“No kids or white picket fence?” I grit out as she puts her hand down to shift and accidentally grazes my denim-clad cock.

I hiss in a breath as her grin grows.

“White pickets need too much maintenance. Paint and the weather wear on them. Maybe a vinyl fence someday. Or wrought iron. It’s a little sturdier.”