Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
“I made a mess of your life, babe. I don’t blame you for asking me to go.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “I knew I couldn’t try to get you back until I fixed everything.”
“You didn’t mess up my life, Ben.”
“You lost your job.”
“And I got a new one, here at the center.” I step closer and press my palm to the center of his chest. “And I figured out quite a few things.”
“Like what?” He covers my hand with his and gently moves it to his left pec. I can feel the loud thump-thump of his heartbeat, and it brings a smile to my lips knowing his heart is pounding as hard as mine.
“I figured out it’s okay to allow a few complications into my life, because sometimes complicated is better than being alone. Being lonely.”
“You’re lonely?”
“Ever since you left,” I confess. “And I don’t mean lonely in the sense that just anyone’ll do. I’m lonely for you. I missed you, Ben.”
He reaches down and encircles my waist. “I missed you too, Red.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So fucking much.”
And then he covers my mouth with a crushing kiss, one of his trademark rough and greedy kisses that leaves me absolutely breathless. I twine my arms around his neck and push my tongue into his mouth, wanting more, needing more.
It’s Ben who finally breaks the kiss, groaning softly in my ear as his obvious erection pokes against my navel. “We should stop,” he mutters, his warm breath fanning over my forehead. “Anybody could walk in right now.”
“Then let’s go somewhere private. I’m sure the Lester Hotel has a few rooms available,” I tease.
He flashes his movie-star grin. “Maybe later. First we need to get a few things straight.”
“I should’ve known you’d get all demanding on me.”
“I’m making it clear, right here and right now, that I’m not leaving you ever again,” he says in a stern voice. “If you don’t like it, tough.”
“I like it,” I assure him, fighting a smile. “I’m not going anywhere, either.”
“Even when the press gets in our faces again?” His cobalt eyes cloud over. “And I do mean when, babe. If we’re together, you’ll need to get used to the vultures.”
“If being with you means getting my picture taken every now and then, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” I quirk one eyebrow up. “Like I said, I’m not going anywhere.”
He tosses out another hurdle. “Even if I force you to take some time off work and join me in Prague when shooting starts for Alan Goodrich’s latest film?”
I gasp. “He gave you a role?”
“Yep. With lines and everything, not just car chases.”
“Oh my God, that’s amazing!” My eyes light up. “I’ve never been to Prague.”
“Well, you can’t stay too long,” he warns. “My mom is anxious to start all the wedding plans.”
I gape at him. “I’m sorry. Did you say wedding plans?”
“Well, yeah.” He grins sheepishly. “I forgot, we’re getting married someday. Like maybe in a year? I’ll let you pick the date.”
I snort loudly. “How kind of you.”
His hands slide down my spine to squeeze my ass. “Are you saying you don’t want to marry me?”
“Is this seriously a proposal?” I demand.
Ben’s blue eyes twinkle. “Nah…it’s more of an I love you, and that I see us in this for the long haul.”
My heart skips a beat. “I see that too.”
“And?”
I meet his expectant gaze. “And what?”
“What else?”
“What do you mean, what else?”
“I just told you I love you!” he sputters. “You’re really just gonna leave me hanging like that?”
“Oh. Right.” I glide one hand down his back and give his butt a squeeze of my own. “I love you, too.”
He chuckles before bringing his lips close to mine. “Of course you do. I’m Ben Barrett, remember?”
The End