Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
She felt him even through her bra, her lower body pulsing against his.
“Shit, shit,” he said and looked down to get the condom on right. That done, he put his hands on her hips and swiveled her so her hands landed on the wall.
Catie hesitated. She was strong, but him pushing into her from the back would almost definitely collapse her legs. “Danny.”
“I know.” He bent to press a kiss on her spine that went right through the fine fabric of her now-buttonless shirt. “Trust me.”
Because this was Daniel Esera, her favorite nemesis, she let go. And he pushed into her in a slow and thick slide that exploded her brain. Barely any pressure on her legs, Danny using his big hands to grip her hips… and take most of the weight she’d otherwise have borne.
A second later and all she could focus on was how rigid and hot he felt inside her, sliding in and out. In. And out. In— “Oh God, Danny!” A short, sharp scream as her internal muscles clamped down on his cock.
Biting off a harsh word, he wrapped her up in his arms as he came in hard pulses inside her.
Her chest was still heaving, her brain not quite right, when he gasped out, “My legs are now noodles. Help.”
She tried to laugh, didn’t have the breath. “Shit.”
They both somehow slid to the floor, controlling their descent by leaning on one another so they ended up uninjured and braced against the wall. It was only when Catie felt carpet on her butt that she realized her jeans and panties were still stuck halfway down her thighs. Danny had pulled up his clothing, but the zipper lay open, the line of hair leading into the waistband drawing her eyes to the part of his body that had just been inside hers.
Her face flushed.
She looked away even though it was stupid. They’d just had sex. But this, it was different. Somehow more intimate. When Danny put his arm around her and tugged her close, she resisted.
Then he said, “Come on, princess. I need a cuddle after sex,” and jeez, how was she supposed to resist that?
Giving up the fight, she cuddled into the warmth of his body.
And had to poke him in the side a few minutes later when his breathing got a little too even. “No sleeping on the floor.”
He moaned and complained, but the two of them got to the bedroom, stripped, cleaned up, and were in bed about to crash when Catie remembered something. “I got you a serious present too.” She took it from the drawer of the bedside table.
Suddenly wide-awake, he sat up, the sheets crumpled at his waist. “Really?”
Feeling oddly shy, she pulled the sheet up over her naked breasts and passed him the box. “Yes. Since we’re not being full-time assholes to each other now.”
Grinning, he ripped at the paper like a little kid. She waited, hoping he’d like it and telling herself it didn’t matter if he didn’t. But it did matter. She’d made a special rush online order for him and paid for overnight shipping because she’d thought the gift would make him happy.
Paper confetti on the blanket, Danny stared at the box. “Wilton cookie cutters.” An awed whisper. “So many shapes.” He began to tear at the plastic that encased the cutters. “I think I can use these to make Linzer cookies.”
“That’s why I got this set. You said once that you didn’t have the right cutters for Linzer cookies.” He’d been muttering about having a special recipe for the beautiful cookies that had a cut out center most often filled with jam.
“Man, look at this!” He held up a cutter in the shape of a crescent moon, then another in the shape of a star. Delight suffused his features. “These are amazing, baby!” Leaning in, he kissed her cheek, then went back to looking through the cutters.
As openly happy as a child with a coveted toy.
It turned her heart to mush.
She loved seeing him so happy, loved knowing she’d put that joy on his face. It was a good feeling. And terrifying. So, so terrifying. Because she believed every word she’d said to Danny: he might have begun to think that they could be forever, but the two of them had barely begun to walk this path.
And Danny’s track record with women was impossible to ignore. He’d soon get bored with her as a lover. It hurt her to think that, but it would be worse if she wasn’t realistic, if she didn’t prepare.
This way she’d be ready for the inevitable end—until then, she’d enjoy every last second. There’d be bruises, no doubt about it. She’d deal with them as she’d dealt with the other blows of life.
* * *
Monday came around too soon. Danny woke with his stomach in knots, the meeting with team management the first thing on his mind. He was jittery, jumpy as he put on a dark gray suit for the formal meeting. All his brothers had called to tell him he had this, but his skin still felt too tight over his body. Gabe, Sailor, Jake—each and every one had offered to drive him so he’d have support on the way to the meeting, could talk things out, but Danny had turned them down.