Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

“He was ogling with sex on his mind.”

This is an argument I won’t win, so I try a different tactic. “You bring me to a private villa in Antigua and think I want to stay locked away?”

“Room service and housekeeping are all we need.”

“We’ll see.” I shoot him a noncommittal grin, loving the battle of wills that typically comes along with the ‘we’ll see’ game.

“Princess, we’ve been fucking slammed for weeks. I have you all to myself for nine days. No families, friends, weddings, work, remodeling—nothing but us enjoying our honeymoon. You want to ride my ass over wanting time alone with my new wife?”

God, I don’t know how it’s possible to fall even more in love with him, but it happens frequently. Especially when he’s like this. But I also know this is a lot more than wanting to stay holed away.

First, he’s a Kendrick.

Second, he’s a Kendrick on a mission.

A specific mission.

A few weeks ago, we talked and went birth control free. Actually, he decided and took matters into his own hands, telling me as he flushed my pills. I knew it was coming, I’d talked to my doctor already in preparation, and didn’t put up a fight. My body may take some time to get on a cycle. It may have appeared I was a pushover, but he was very convincing.

Miller wants to start a family, and I can’t wait. I also knew coming into this honeymoon he’d set his sights and expectations.

“I’m not riding your ass, sweetie. If you really want to stay secluded, it’s not a hardship.”

“Glad you see things my way.” He bends his head down, kissing me softly.

There’s a knock at the door, room service announcing our breakfast. Miller nips at my bottom lip before slipping out of me and off the bed, covering my naked body with the sheet. “Stay put. Breakfast in bed.”

He comes out of the closet a few seconds later in loose-fitting gym shorts and nothing else. My mouth waters at his toned body and rippling muscles with the slight sheen of sweat clinging to his skin. He catches me ogling, flashing me the same wicked grin that’s always sent my heart and stomach into overdrive.

He refuses the waiter’s offer to deliver the food, instead rolling the cart in himself. His eyes pierce into mine. I break the connection and glance outside, standing and letting the sheet fall.

“Jesus, fucking beautiful.”

In my head, I know that’s impossible. My hair is a wild mane, my body flushed and splotched with small scrapes from his beard, and multiple marks and hickeys from days of his devotion. But he sees none of that.

“The verandah?”

He grunts his answer, rounding the cart.

I step outside, completely nude with no inhibitions, knowing he’s on my heels.

Breakfast can wait.

Epilogue

Miller

6 Weeks Later

“You got it?” I ask my nephew, who’s nodding proudly.

“No room for mistakes, this has to go off without a hitch.” I eye him skeptically. “I’m counting on you.”

“Jeez, Uncle Miller, I’m not a rookie. Dad and I do this kind of stuff all the time!” He’s losing patience with me.

I look to Pierce, who’s grinning pompously at his son. “Yeah, I’ve trained him well. Maybe not in this specific circumstance, but trust it.”

I give a chin jerk, walking away to take my place, and glance around as I wait to give him the sign. Our backyard is loaded with our family and friends mingling around. But my eyes land on the sexy redhead wearing a black lace cover-up. It’s translucent, showing the bright blue bikini underneath. When she came out of the bedroom dressed for the party, I told her to enjoy the bathing suit for the day. Because tonight I will take great enjoyment in ripping it off. She threatened something, but I tuned it out, staring at her perfect fucking body and wishing we had time before people arrived.

Today is a day of multiple festivities.

All construction and renovations on our guesthouse are done. It didn’t happen as quickly as hoped, but once zoning and permits were approved we got to work. The week of the wedding, while we were in Atlanta, Ashlyn approached her dad about building us our own pool. We went to his office and designed exactly what we wanted. Dozer dropped the bomb he was giving this to us for our wedding present. He worked with my dad to hire a local crew, and while we were in Antigua, they broke ground.

Andrew took the jump and relocated to Charleston in early March, renting my old house. Both Austin and Andrew were involved with the process of getting our backyard done. Austin came for a few weeks to oversee the work and manage the progress. I was grateful for their help. It freed me up to handle my workload at Kendrick Construction and cover renovations.