Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
“I’ll send Hugh for your things tomorrow,” he assures me. “As for clothes, I like buying you things, and I have plenty of gifts I haven’t given you yet.” He slides a hand around my waist and tugs me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Not that you’ll need them most of the time. We’ll sleep naked and tangled together.”
“Sounds hot.”
He smirks. “I agree.”
My cheeks warm. “That is not what I meant.”
“Obviously, I didn’t have time to get your toiletries from your place, so I stole some of my mom’s. I’ll have Hugh bring that stuff tomorrow, too, but you’ll have to make do for tonight.”
“I don’t really think I need all my stuff,” I say a touch hesitantly. “I’m not moving in.”
He falls quiet for long enough that I start to worry, then he says, “You’ll be staying here for the weekend.”
I don’t say anything right away. Knowing he just talked to his parents after I specifically told them he kidnapped me… I’m not sure what that means. I guess he lied to them.
“Will I see your parents again?”
His lips tug up faintly as he twists a doorknob and pushes open what I presume is his bedroom, then he tugs me inside. “Yes, but don’t bother telling on me anymore.”
“Because you’ve already convinced them I’m a jokester, and they won’t believe me?”
“Because they won’t be of any help to you, and all you’ll do is make it awkward,” he says vaguely, backing into the room.
It’s still dark. He didn’t turn on a light.
My senses are off, and I feel uneasy in the dark with him. I think about feeling along the wall for a light switch and turning it on myself, but before I can, he tugs me through the dark room. I’m so disoriented, I have to stay close to him.
Presumably, he knows where we’re going and won’t let me trip on anything. I grab his muscular shoulder, moving close so I’m right on top of him as he leads the way.
I can tell he likes that. He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel it in his energy. Then he expresses his pleasure physically, curling an arm around my waist and pulling me against his chest. I stumble over something—his foot, maybe?—but he doesn’t let me fall. I brace my hands on his firm chest and look up at him, even though he’s all dark shadows in this light.
“Are you afraid of the dark, pretty girl?”
“The dark? No. What might happen in the dark… maybe.”
His hand cradles my face, then his fingers burrow into my hair. Once he’s cradling my head in his hands, he forces me to stay still while he leans down and kisses me.
My tummy flutters at the way he holds me captive so he can steal a kiss. My heart skips a beat as his lips find mine, and my lips part naturally to receive him despite my reluctance.
I should push him away, but I know there’s little point.
My hands remain planted on his firm chest, my eyes drifting closed as he forces his way into my mouth. He keeps my head cradled in one palm, but his other hand slides to my waist, then lower until he’s cupping my ass beneath my skirt. Without the flimsy protection of my tights, there’s no barrier but my panties. My breath catches as his finger flirts with my pantyline, casually threatening to push that last defense aside.
I try to pull back, but he lets go of my ass, locking his arm around the small of my back instead to keep me close.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he murmurs, but his voice is tender.
I let him hold me to pacify him, but only so he’s feeling generous when I say, “You said something about borrowing your mom’s toiletries, didn’t you? Can I assume that means you’ll let me shower before bed?”
“Of course. I’m not a beast.”
Aren’t you?
I don’t say that, though.
I say, “Thank you.”
His lips tug up, and he leans down to give me one last kiss, then he lets me pull away from him, but his hand lingers in mine for a moment more before he lets go. “I’ll grab us a couple of towels.”
I nod and follow him into the bathroom, but then his words sink in, and my heart skitters. “Wait, us?”
He’s opening the linen closet but spares me a glance over his shoulder as he reaches in for the towels. “Yes.”
“Can’t I shower alone?”
“I’m sure you’re capable of it,” he says lightly. “But I’ve spent just about every moment since I met you wanting as much access as I have to you now, so I can assure you, you will not be showering alone.”
My lips purse as I look over at the shower stall. I’ve certainly never showered with a guy before, and though he’s seen me naked and I’ve seen plenty of him, there’s something much more intimate about the thought of showering together. It’s the sort of thing lovers do, and I don’t know what we are exactly, but we’re not that.