Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I don’t want to overthink it. But I can’t help it.
The bed is small enough that there’s no way we’re not touching, not with the way the space is designed. I can feel the warmth of her body, the heat radiating from her skin, and I try my best to keep my distance. I lie on my back, my hands pressed against the mattress as if I’m trying to hold myself together.
She shifts a little, and for a moment, I think she’s going to say something. But instead, she just sighs, settling into the bed, the tension in her body slowly dissipating.
I close my eyes, my mind racing as I try to ignore the way my heart is pounding in my chest, how I’m acutely aware of her presence next to me.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers into the darkness, her voice soft and vulnerable.
The words hit me harder than I expect. My heart clenches, and I find myself turning toward her without thinking, just needing to feel closer to her. She doesn’t say anything more, but when I turn to face her, I see the faintest trace of a smile on her lips.
For a second, everything feels perfectly still. And then, before I can stop myself, I move closer, just enough to feel the warmth of her body next to mine. The bed creaks as I shift, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she edges a little closer, until we’re lying side by side, barely inches between us.
I reach out instinctively, my hand brushing against hers. My breath catches, and I can feel my pulse beating hard in my chest. This is too much. It’s too much too soon. I’m supposed to be keeping her safe, nothing more. But here I am, lying next to her, my body betraying me.
“Aubree,” I whisper, my voice strained. “I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. You don’t have to—”
She interrupts me with a soft sigh, turning her head just enough so that our faces are inches apart. “I’m not uncomfortable, Boone. I’m just... I feel better when you’re close.”
The air between us shifts, crackling with something I can’t deny. I should pull away. I should be the professional here. But I don’t. I can’t.
Before I can stop myself, I lean in, just a little, and brush my lips against hers. It’s soft, just a quick touch, but it sends a shock of heat through my body, and I feel everything inside me stir. She doesn’t pull away. In fact, she inches closer, and that’s when I lose it.
I kiss her again, deeper this time, my hand reaching for her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine. It’s like an avalanche, this rush of desire that I’m not prepared for.
She kisses me back, her lips soft, hesitant at first, but then she relaxes into it, her hand coming to rest on my chest. Her touch is gentle, but it sparks something inside me that I’ve been trying to suppress.
I break the kiss, my breathing heavy, my chest rising and falling with every beat of my heart. I pull back slightly, resting my forehead against hers. I can feel the heat between us, the pull that’s impossible to ignore.
“Aubree,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “I need to keep you safe. That’s all I’m here for.”
“I know,” she replies softly, her voice barely a whisper. “But I think I’m starting to want more than that.”
The words hang in the air, and for a moment, everything stops. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I know one thing for sure—I can’t stop it.
The bed feels smaller now, and I’m not sure how we’re going to get through the night without breaking every rule I’ve set for myself.
Chapter 12
Aubree
I can’t believe this is happening. The warmth of Boone’s body against mine, the softness of his lips on mine, feels like a dream. But when he pulls away, the reality of the situation crashes down on me like a bucket of cold water.
“Aubree,” Boone’s voice is low, serious, and it makes my chest tighten. “We can’t do this.”
His words hit me harder than I expected. I blink a few times, trying to process what he’s saying. “What do you mean?”
“This... kissing. Making out. It’s a bad idea. We both know it.”
The words sting, even though I know he’s right. He’s here to protect me, not to get involved with me. I can’t believe I let myself think there could be anything more between us. He’s a bodyguard, my bodyguard. I should have never allowed myself to go there.
I pull away from him, rolling over to my side of the bed, the space between us suddenly feeling like miles. “Right. Yeah, sorry. I shouldn’t have—” I pause, taking a shaky breath. “It’s just... you’re right. I guess I got carried away.”