Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
All I can manage is a squeak, but Drake reads my unspoken agreement in the sound and kisses me again just like I want. It's only when someone passes by us and clears their throat that the two of us separate long enough to collect our thoughts.
"I wasn't using you," I clarify, looking up at him, needing him to know he's so much more to me than just a distraction. "I mean, I guess I was trying to get Claude to leave. But I wanted to kiss you anyway."
"Ah, then this isn't just a ruse to get me to forget that I'm angry with you?" He's teasing, but there's a note of seriousness in his voice. Drake isn't going to forget that I manipulated the schedule just to come to this showing.
"It would be an added bonus, I guess." I try to smile and joke with him, but he still stares down at me like he's not sure if I'm being honest.
Drake runs his thumb across my lip, and the motion is so intimate that I almost lean in to kiss him again. "You haven't messed up once in the time I've known you. I just want you to be more careful."
I'm not sure how to respond to that. He's trying to be kind, I can see it in his eyes, but the last thing I want is for him to think that I can't take care of myself. I want him to see me as strong and smart and capable. I want him to see me as an equal.
"I don't want you to think I'm not careful. I am." I bite my lip, hesitating for just a moment before I tell him something that I've never told anyone before. "I didn’t drink, so don’t worry. I don't drink much in public because my father was an alcoholic. He's a mean drunk, and I don't want to be like him. I don't want to be like anyone in my family."
Drake's face softens even more, and he leans down, kissing my forehead. "You're not anything like them. I promise. You're strong and kind and clever. You're everything."
The words make me blush, and I look down, still not used to compliments from this man who usually seems so gruff.
"Ms. White," he rumbles, "would you like me to take you upstairs and finish what we started last night?"
My entire body feels flushed with heat, and I inhale, nodding slowly. He chuckles, and I wonder if I'm playing into his ego by letting him think he has the upper hand here.
It doesn't matter because Drake wraps his arm around my waist and leads me toward the elevators, his pace quick as if he's afraid I'll change my mind. I know I won't. I'm not sure I ever could.
5
DRAKE
Iwant her so damned bad, this siren sent to test my restraint and drive me wild. She's perfect and soft and sexy, and every moment we're not kissing is a waste of time.
I keep my arm around her waist as we head upstairs, and the anticipation of what is about to happen is the sweetest torture.
Ellie. My Ellie. I will be the first man she's ever been with and, even if she doesn't realize it yet, the last. Now that I've had a taste of her, there's no damn way I can let her go.
When we reach our door, I pause for a moment to look down at her. She's so damned beautiful. "We're really doing this."
Her expression is pure adoration as she looks up at me. "Only if you want to. We don't have to."
"Oh, Ellie." I pull her close, loving the way she sinks into my embrace. "I want this more than you know."
The door opens under my touch, and I push her inside, kicking the door closed behind us. I take her hand and lead her to the bed, knowing that I won’t be able to wait any longer.
She stands next to the bed, her gaze flickering between the king-sized mattress and me. I step closer, running my fingers through her hair before cupping her cheeks in my palms and tilting her face up to mine. "You're sure this is what you want?"
"Yes," she breathes.
I kiss her again. I can't get enough of her lips, soft and yielding and so damned sweet.
I deepen the kiss, groaning as her tongue finds mine and her arms wrap around my neck. It's like she can't get close enough, and neither can I. Her hands move to my chest, and she slides her palms down, humming her appreciation of my body. We're totally mismatched, her in her tight little dress and me in my climbing clothes, but despite that, I've never felt so right. So perfectly aligned.
We keep kissing as I turn her around, pulling her back flush against my chest as I reach for the zipper at her lower back. I love how she gasps as I tug it down, the sound only growing louder as I slip the straps off her shoulders and push the fabric to the floor.