Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Why does this feel so fucking perfect?” he growls near the outer shell of my ear. The vibration of his words sends tingles scampering down my spine.
I don’t know, but it’s the same sentiment that’s fluttering around in my brain as well.
Before I can come up with a response, his fingers wrap around my nipples, pulling and tugging at them in tandem. They were already stiff from the cool air of the room, but the way he plays with me has them growing painfully erect.
All rational thought vanishes as I writhe against him, seeking out more of his touch. More of the sensations only he is capable of igniting within me. It’s impossible to imagine anyone else arousing my body to this kind of fever pitch.
Only Austin.
That thought is as terrifying as it is exhilarating.
“Do you have any idea how scared I was when you fell overboard?” he asks quietly, voiced filled with pent-up emotion.
A shudder slides through me as the memory crashes through my brain. The handful of seconds it took to hit the water and plunge beneath the frigid surface felt like an eternity that was over in the blink of an eye.
“I would have drowned if you hadn’t jumped in,” I admit softly. “I never learned how to swim.”
That confession has his arms tightening, the muscles bulging as he pulls me closer before pressing his lips against the side of my face.
“I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.” His mouth drifts along my cheek, peppering sweet kisses along the way. “You understand that, right?”
I twist in his arms just enough for our gazes to collide before nodding. As furious as he’s been, I know deep down that Austin will always protect me. Even when he’s intent on bringing me to my knees.
The words burst from my lips before I can rein them back in. “I don’t want to fight with you anymore. I can’t do it.”
Guilt flickers across his expression. “We won’t. It’s over.”
A kernel of hope rises within me, blotting out all other emotion. “Do you really mean that?” It’s almost impossible to believe that he’ll let his anger go.
Just like that.
“Yeah. We both need a fresh start.”
Tears prick my eyes.
His hand rises to carefully wipe away the wetness that splashes across my cheek. “Please don’t cry.” His voice dips, becoming unsteady. “I’m sorry for all the hurt I caused.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. I know how it appeared. And Jasper was there every step of the way, wanting you to believe that I was messing around. I should have broken up with him after he showed his true colors. Instead, I took the easy way out and stayed.”
He strokes my cheek with gentle fingers. “Shhh. It’s all right. We don’t have to talk about it or him ever again, okay?”
I squeeze my eyes tight and lean into his touch. It’s what I’ve been waiting to hear but never thought would actually happen. “You mean everything to me, and I hate that you were hurt. That you thought I was toying with you.”
“I know, Delilah. And I believe you. It’s just that the thought of you with him drives me fucking insane. It clouded my better judgment. I see that now.”
I force my eyes open and twist to meet his gaze. “You do?”
“Yeah.” His eyes cloud as remorse flickers across his face. “I’m sorry for humiliating you in front of everyone.”
Thick emotion swells in my throat. “All I wanted was for you to believe me. And if that’s what it took to convince you, then I can live with it.”
His lips brush across my cheek. “It shouldn’t have been necessary. All I could focus on was punishing you. It won’t happen again.”
I didn’t think this moment could become more perfect, but as we continue talking, that’s exactly what happens. Everything is finally out in the open. For the first time since Kingsley’s party, we’re both on the same page.
“You’re the only one I want to belong to,” I tell him, heart thumping at the prospect.
“That’s good, because you will always belong to me,” he growls before pinching my nipples hard enough to elicit a gasp. Somehow, his touch is both forceful and adoring at the same time. I don’t know how he’s able to walk that fine line so perfectly. More than that, I don’t understand how I can love it.
Crave it.
Need it.
As one hand toys with the erect buds, the other drifts down the center of my ribcage, across my belly before arriving at my mound where his fingers hesitate. So badly do I want them to slip inside my heat and stroke me to orgasm. Instead, they hover, dancing across the plump flesh and lazily circling over my clit. A whimper of frustration escapes from me as I widen my legs, granting him more access.