Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (inspirational books for women .TXT) 📕

your mother?” She feigns hurt so sarcastically sweet that even I can read through.

“Yep.”

It’s my turn to squeeze his hand as I speak up. “Annie, I’m a mess. We have been in airports since early my time, and I worked last night until after midnight. Evin’s had to wake me up several times today.”

He rolls my ring on my finger and grins.

“I get it. Being a performer in a top show in Vegas has to wear you out. You need to rest, regroup, and get acclimated.”

“Thank you.” Although none of that is true.

“Good thing we all prepared.”

Evin tenses and his smile dies. “What does that mean?”

“Edward and I went over to get the package off your front porch and drop off something for a late dinner. Ashlyn and Miller were already there and stocked your fridge with basics.”

“Do I want to know how they got into my place?”

“Darby gave them instructions since she’s already in Kiawah with Stephanie.”

“Of course she did.”

“We got your bed set up and the boxes out.”

“Mom, you opened my delivery? I asked one favor and that was not it.”

“It was a colossal mess! I couldn’t leave it in the den for Poppy’s first impression. The favor is taken care of, too.”

“That all?” His patience gone.

“Yes. We’ll pop by in the morning for breakfast before you leave. The dinner in the fridge is simple, and instructions are posted on top.”

“Mom, we haven’t decided to leave tomorrow.”

“What about the bonfire?”

Evin mentioned the pre-wedding dinner and bonfire with no interest. I’m torn because it sounds amazing, but time with Evin is limited.

“Annie, we’re contemplating it because Evin wants to show me around.”

His eyes slice to me, expressing that was the wrong thing to say.

“I can help! Lived here all my life.”

“We’re done, Mom. Thanks for all you did.”

She huffs, then a man’s voice fills the cab. “Son, we’ll call before we come. But breakfast is a given,” he states solidly.

“Call after nine.”

“Gotcha.” The line goes dead.

He pulls through a round-about and stops in front of a gate with a large NO TRESPASSING sign. “Wait here.”

He rounds the truck and comes to my door.

“Where are we?”

He punches a few keys on the gate’s keypad and it slides open, then he hoists me out of the truck. “You’ll see.”

We walk hand in hand down a lit path until there’s a large opening, and I freeze, gasping. To our side is a mansion so beautiful, it’s hard to believe it’s real. The lights are on and people are walking around inside the house.

“Are we trespassing?” I whisper, ducking.

He smiles, tugging me along. “Len knows we’re here.”

“Where exactly is here?”

“Stick with me.” I follow him to the end of a long dock where he cages me between his body and the railing.

I don’t know where to look first. “This is incredible.”

“Remember when I mentioned I bought my place solely for the view from my porch?”

I nod, my heart speeding.

“I’m across the way.”

“You wake up to this every day?”

“It’s similar. Not as open, considering this is a few acres. That’s why this is one of my favorite places in the world.”

“You know the owners of this property?”

“Len is a client of mine and invites me out fishing a few times a year. We take the boat mostly, but sometimes set up here and just enjoy the views of the water.”

“I can understand why it’s your favorite.”

“One of my favorites. Recently, it lost its top spot.” He brushes his lips over my ear, causing an all-over shiver.

I turn into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you.” My fingers slide to run along the stubble on his jaw. “Thank you for not being mad at me.”

“I don’t like it. It fucking sucks, but it’s impossible to be mad at you.”

Monday morning, after our remarkable and unforgettable wedding night, my mind was in a state of euphoria so thick, I felt like I could conquer the world. Our marriage may have been spontaneous, impulsive, and lightning-fast, but it was no less magical. Loving a man like Evin Graham is an honor, and what we have is exactly what I wanted. Three weeks, three months, three years—regardless of how long it took us to get to that point, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every woman deserves to have that bliss in her lifetime.

Which is when my thoughts went to Stephanie. They’d planned months, spent tons of money, and this weekend she’d be the most beautiful thing in Todd’s world. She deserved the same love and affection surrounding her on her wedding day.

I couldn’t take any chances of taking even a second of the spotlight off her. We needed to keep our marriage quiet until after the weekend.

Evin didn’t like this idea at all.

As in, he extremely didn’t like it.

I’d seen him upset the night Rina’s text interrupted our evening. Heard his irritation the night I fought about my airline ticket. But I’d never witnessed him mad.

It wasn’t pretty, but I understood how he felt when the situation was reversed.

He was hot. Like smoking, amped-up, to blazing-hot. Chris Hemsworth disappeared altogether, and I faced a living, breathing, bossy, demanding, alpha-male that was not budging.

I had to get creative and took advantage of my newfound sexuality, pouncing on him. He still didn’t agree, but after hearing my words while deep inside me, he compromised.

Sunday night, we’ll announce our news after the wedding weekend.

He takes my hand at his cheek and kisses the band on my ring finger. “You ready to go to your new home?”

“More than ready.”

We leave the dock, and this time a couple is on the back terrazzo. They wave their drinks in the air, acknowledging us as we pass through.

My anxiety grows on the ride. Not because of nerves, but excitement.

When he pulls into his designated space, I’m ready to jump out of my skin.

“Stay here,” he instructs.

“I am perfectly capable of launching to the ground out of this massive beast.”

He grins, slamming his door, coming to my side, and lifting me like he