Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
The fact that he’d laid out a whole evening for them was every bit as sexy as the kiss had been. He hadn’t planned on time for work or quizzing Lou to ensure she would perform in school the next day. He’d planned rest and recreation and…family time.
“What happens during your time?”
“During my time I turn your grump into a purr,” he whispered.
“I’m not grumpy.”
“How do you feel about Christmas, Daph?”
“Christmas is a hard time on a baker,” she began. Maybe she was a little grumpy, but she had her reasons, and they all sort of melted away the minute she saw him now.
She gasped when he nipped her earlobe. It was a tiny sting and one that shot straight to her pussy.
“You have a lot of stress.” His breath was warm on her skin. “I get that. My time is about getting rid of that stress so I can see you smile. I love it when you smile at me.”
It was so hard to believe she was sitting here with the hottest man she’d ever met, and he also happened to be the kindest.
She turned her head, and his mouth was on hers, but this time the kiss wasn’t a gentle meshing of lips. This time the kiss was hungry, and she happened to know it took a lot to satisfy this man’s hunger.
Daphne luxuriated in that kiss, in the silky stroke of his tongue against her lips, and then shivered when she opened her mouth and let him in. He was so big and strong and that strength was in his kiss, and yet she didn’t feel overwhelmed. Like everything this man did, there was a grace to his kiss, as though he viewed it as a dance and knew how to gently lead her to where he wanted to go.
He finally broke the kiss, and she could feel the way his chest moved up and down with each breath.
How good would it feel to have this man’s weight on top of her? Pressing her down as he moved in and out of her body.
“How far do you want to go, sweetheart?” There was a low growl to his voice that rumbled across her. “I don’t want to push you. We haven’t even been on a real date yet.”
But now she could see he’d invited her on several exploratory dates. Since they’d made their bargain, she’d spent all but a couple of nights with him and his friends. He’d invited her and Lou to game parties and to watch movies with him. They’d been safe, respectful ways to ease her into a relationship.
Safe was good, but she wanted to go way past safe with him.
“I want you to show me how you would take all my stress away.”
He shoved his free arm under her knees and stood. Simply stood without showing he felt an ounce of her weight. He stood and started walking toward his bedroom.
When he got there, he closed the door behind him and set her on her feet. One big arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against the hard muscles of his chest.
“Just relax, Daph. Tonight is all about you. I know Lou is sleeping next door, and I’m not putting you in a position where she wakes up in a strange bed tomorrow morning. We’ve got to ease her in and make sure it’s right before she gets too invested.”
“She’s already too invested, but I can’t protect her from having relationships with the people around her.” She loved being this close to him. The heat coming off his body enveloped her, and it was warmth and comfort and safety. “And you’re right. She’s smart, and she’ll know our relationship has changed. I’m scared about hurting her if this doesn’t work, but I can’t never try. I think you’re worth the risk.”
She’d been alone for seven years. Longer since Dennis hadn’t really been with her. He’d been a halfway decent partner when it came to raising Lou, but he hadn’t loved her, hadn’t seemed to like her at times. Boomer liked her, and god, she liked him. Liked him so damn much she already could be falling for him.
“I promise you’re not risking anything with me. Daph, if we can’t make it work, I’ll still be your friend. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Lou. Now hold still. This is my time.”
She dragged in a breath as he held her tight with one arm and his other hand started sliding down her body. He started at her neck, his palm encircling it.
“Have I told you how pretty you are?” He rubbed his cheek against her hair. “How distracted I get whenever you walk in a room with your big brown eyes and that mouth that begs to be kissed?”
She had no idea what woman he was talking about, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. When she looked in the mirror she saw ordinary, but Boomer wasn’t a good liar and he sounded like he believed every word he was saying. He thought she was pretty, thought she was sexy.