Say You're Mine: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Southport Love Stories Book 4) by Sarah Brooks (reading rainbow books .txt) 📗

and down and yelling at the screen. I had no real idea what was going on, but we were having a great time. I shouted and booed along with Robert and Sam. At halftime, Sam and Jill went into the kitchen to get more snacks together. Robert pulled me close and kissed me. “Thank you for being so wonderful,” he whispered against my mouth. “I appreciate you treating him like he’s a person and not some dumb kid.” His eyes clouded and his mouth turned downwards.

“Why would anyone act like that? Sam’s an adult. He’s not stupid just because he has a disability,” I said in disbelief.

Robert’s eyes became bright, and he kissed me again. This time when he was finished, he pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. “How did I survive before I met you?” he murmured, and I thought I was going to overflow with feelings I had never experienced before.

“I’ve been asking myself the same thing,” I responded, knowing that I never wanted to be away from this man. Ever.

Chapter Twelve

Robert

It seemed when things were flying high that fear of falling became paralyzing.

I was happy. Happier than I could ever remember being. But I was terrified too. For the first time in my life, I felt trapped by the choices I made. About the direction my life had gone in.

Dancing and stripping had once been freeing. It had provided me a means of taking care of my family. I felt powerful and wanted. I knew that the people who paid me to take off my clothes desired what I could give them. For those hours I showed my body, I became someone else, someone I never had the confidence to be in my usual world.

I had always been proud of that side of myself.

Now I wanted to forget that Robert Jenkins existed. Because every time I logged onto my website, every time I started a new session and took the money, I felt as if I were betraying Skylar. When I made excuses as to why I couldn’t see her—even though I desperately wanted to—I hated myself a little bit more. I never wanted to feel shame for what I chose to do, yet I did. Not for the act itself, but for the duplicity.

The weekend in Philly had been a game-changer in our relationship. I knew that by opening my life to Skylar I was taking us to a whole new level. Introducing your girlfriend to the family was a huge step for anyone. Even more so for the guy who kept all segments of his life apart.

I had been a little worried about how Skylar would take Sam. I loved Sam more than anything. He was my big brother. My best friend. He was a huge part of my heart. I knew Skylar would accept him, but I still feared that she would pity him—and in turn, pity me.

I should have known better.

She embraced Sam. She threw herself in with both feet. She accepted him without question and in turn he absolutely loved her. When we were getting ready to leave, I pulled my brother aside to talk with him privately. I always did a check-in to make sure things were okay with him, that people were being kind. I had spent my life looking out for him and that would never change.

“You and Jill seem happy,” I said as I helped him clean up. Skylar and Jill were sitting in the living room. Skylar was showing Sam’s girlfriend pictures of graphics she had created. Jill was particularly interested in the advertising graphics Sky had done for a cat food company.

“I love her, Robbie. I love her so much.” His dark eyes were big as he looked at me. “Do you love Sky?”

I nodded. “I do, Sam. I really do.” It was easy to admit these things to Sam. I could tell him anything.

“I really like her. She’s so nice. And pretty too. You should marry her. Then she could be my sister. Mom will like her too,” Sam assured me.

I pulled him into a hug, never wanting to let go. I missed him so much and didn’t get to see him nearly enough. “I’m glad you like her. And I really like Jill. I like that she makes you smile so much,” I told him.

And when we left, Sam gave Skylar a huge hug and told her he couldn’t wait to see her again.

That only left Mom.

But I knew that if Sam approved, then Mom would too. Dinner at her house on Saturday evening was great. Skylar was relaxed and when she offered to do the dishes, she firmly cemented her place in my mother’s heart.

“She’s wonderful, Robbie,” Mom said quietly as Skylar took the dishes into the kitchen.

“I know she is,” I agreed.

“You’ve never brought a woman home to meet me before. You must be serious about her.” Mom got to her feet and gathered up a load of plates and cutlery to help Skylar.

“I am, Mom. This is the real deal.” I could hear the confidence in my voice. I meant it. I had no doubts about Skylar Murphy. I could only hope she felt the same.

Everything had been great. Skylar and I spent our last night in Philly wandering the streets with our arms tight around each other. We took in the sights we had both seen a hundred times before but somehow felt different seeing them together. And back in our suite at the Four Seasons, we made love all night long, neither of us wanting to sleep, neither of us wanting to miss a moment with each other.

“I love you, Skylar,” I whispered into her hair after she had eventually fallen asleep. My body was curled tightly around her, her flesh pressed against mine. Her head was tucked beneath my chin. I didn’t want to move a muscle for fear of waking her. I kissed her temple. “I love you so much.”

She didn’t hear