Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Yeah, that’s the only choice I won’t let you have.” I lean in, pulling her as close as I can with a table between us. In a low tone, I tell her, “I need you naked. I need to see every inch of your skin, taste it, worship it.” I kiss her nose. “Worship you.”
Her breath catches, her eyes darkening as her face flushes, leaving me breathless. Her eyes burn into mine as she whispers, “Ciaran.”
Just my name, and boy, does it do me in.
“Do you forgive me, Lou?” I ask, needing to know before I take her lips with mine. “I promise I won’t ever do anything stupid like that again.”
She swallows, her eyes trapped in mine. “I promise never to hurt you like she did.” Her promise catches me off guard because she doesn’t owe me that. Yet, my heart stops dead in my chest before falling into my stomach with a thud. Or at least, that’s how it feels. “I don’t know what will happen between us, but I won’t ever disrespect you the way she did. I’ve been hurt too, Ciaran. I know how badly that can mess you up, and I would never do that to someone I care for.”
For some crazy fucking reason, I believe her. I think that’s what made me get out of the truck to see her, the fact that I know she is different. That while our first encounter was rushed and we didn’t think things through, there is something here. Something I desperately yearn for. I reach for her, cupping her face in my hands and running my thumb along her bottom lip. That pull between us has my chest hurting as we search each other’s eyes. It almost feels like we’re promising each other forever, but that can’t be. We don’t know each other. The only thing we truly know is that we want the possibility of forever.
“Have I crossed the ocean yet?” I ask quietly, and her lips curve.
“You’re getting close.”
Now my lips turn up at her teasing. I use my other hand to grab her chair and drag it toward me so that my legs trap hers. I wrap my arm around her waist and haul her to me, as close as I can without bringing her into my lap. If she ends up there, no telling what will happen.
I cup her jaw once more, running my thumb along her lips. I could kiss her. Lord knows I want to, but I don’t want her to think this is just physical. It’s not. It’s more than that. I lean in, pressing my forehead to hers, our noses touching as I hold her gaze. I draw in a deep breath, loving her scent and wanting to rub my nose all along her beautiful body.
I still have so many questions. Who hurt her? Who caused those scars? And honestly, why hasn’t anyone locked her down? She’s a damn catch. But I don’t ask any of them. Instead, I ask, “Do you have plans tonight?”
Surprise moves across her face before she shakes her head. “Not really. I was going to go to Nashville to see my sisters, but I may be able to be persuaded to stay in town.”
I grin at her, squeezing her hip in my hand. “Then let me persuade you, love,” I whisper against her cheek. I trail kisses over her cheek to her ear, where I swirl my tongue along her earlobe, enjoying the sweet gasps that leave her lips. I squeeze her jaw in my hand before whispering in her ear again. “Stay in town. Let me take you to dinner tonight.”
“I mean, that only takes a couple hours,” she says, and I grin against her ear, loving her challenge. “I could head out after.”
“True,” I agree, running my nose along the shell of her ear. “Or you could stay, and I could take you ice-skating, show off my skills and impress you.”
Her breathy giggle makes my gut tighten with want. “I don’t know how to skate.”
“I’ll teach you.”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to get hurt.”
“That won’t happen,” I promise, kissing the side of her head. “I will make sure of it.”
I suck her lobe between my lips, and she moans softly, only for me. “I could still make it to Nashville by one in the morning, then.”
I grin. She’s such a brat. “You could,” I say, running my tongue along her jaw before meeting her gaze. “Or you could spend the night with me, riding my face and my cock.” Her quick intake of breath does me in, and I’m unable to keep my next question inside. “Lou, can I kiss you?”
She doesn’t even answer, only nods, her eyes pure fire. Without hesitation, I capture her mouth, needing to taste her, and she welcomes me eagerly. I didn’t expect her to deepen the kiss, but soon, her tongue is moving along my lips, asking for entrance. I don’t have the willpower to deny her. I slide my tongue along hers, and she clutches the lapels of my suit. God, she’s hot, and I love how she feels under my hands, against my lips. I have never wanted to kiss someone so much, despite my heartbreak, despite my fear. Jesus, I want her.