Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37970 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Reaching for what I want hasn't ever been an option. I've always been too focused on raising Nate, making sure he had the stability he needed to thrive, and paying the bills. Now, he's almost grown. My job is almost done. And I'm…what?
A little lost, honestly. Because I can tell myself all day long that I never really had a choice, but I think part of me hid behind caring for Nate so I never had to put myself out there. Growing up as the chubby girl with a dead mom and an alcoholic dad wasn't easy. My classmates either pitied me or made fun of me. There were no school dances or fun dates when I was too mortified about what was going on at home. By the time I could see myself having those things, all those little taunts and the whispers had eroded my self-confidence so I just never tried.
Now, I have a stupid-hot firefighter standing here, telling me all these crazy, amazing things and I'm freaking worried that I'll mess it up. That he'll peel back the layers and realize I'm a mess. And just so we're clear, I am a mess. I do not have my shit together. I just fake it for Nate's sake.
But Emmett? Well, he's got his together. It seems like he was freaking born with his together. So what could I possibly offer him? I have no idea. Part of me really wants to know, though. I want all the things he's been offering all day.
So put on your big girl panties, lady. And grab that firefighter by the…
I spin to face him before the devil on my shoulder talks me into some nonsense that might actually result in a restraining order.
"I'm fine," I squeak.
His jade eyes scan across my face, his lips curving into a dangerous smirk. "Oh, yeah?" He reaches for my hand, tugging me closer to his oversized body. "Is that why you're blushing like you were thinking naughty thoughts, Red?"
"Was not," I mumble. "Nothing naughty at all. I don't have those."
"Mmhmm. I just bet you don't." His nose skims the side of my face as he presses himself up against me. "You're an innocent little lamb, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm that," I groan, melting against him. And then I realize what I said. "I mean no. I'm not a lamb. I'm a person, Emmett."
His body shakes with laughter as his lips hover inches from mine. "What were you thinking about, Nina?"
"You," I blurt.
Heat flares in his eyes.
"I mean…um…"
"Too fucking late," he growls, his lips slanting down on mine as one hand delves into my hair. He tilts my head, licking into my mouth.
I sob against his lips, clinging to his broad shoulders.
Yes, this is exactly what I was thinking about, exactly what I wanted.
He devours my lips, his tongue stroking against mine in a way that has heat surging through my body in massive waves. I nip his bottom lip in response, earning a predatory growl.
"Fuck." He tugs gently on my hair, craning my head back. His lips trail down my throat, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. "Is this what you were thinking about, baby? Having my hands on you again?"
"Yes. No." I groan in frustration, trying to press closer to him.
"Was it this?" He bites my nipple through my shirt, and my freaking knees shake.
"Emmett!" My hands fly to his hair, trying to hold him to me, but he doesn't even give me a chance. He wraps his hands around my waist, boosting me up onto the counter. I immediately wrap my legs around his hips, trapping him against me.
"Tell me what you wanted, Nina." He drags my dress up over my head, dropping it to the floor beside us. His jade eyes flare with heat as they run over me. "Jesus Christ. You're fucking perfect, baby."
"I…I…" I fight the urge to cover myself with my hands, to hide all of my imperfections from his gaze. I've never been this naked in front of a man before now. And this one is in a league of his own, his body carved from granite. Mine is soft, covered in stretchmarks and cellulite. But…he isn't looking at me like he finds me unworthy. In fact, he's looking at me like I'm exactly what he said—perfect.
I leave my hands where they are, letting him look his fill.
"Can I take this off?" he asks, toying with the strap of my bra.
My head bounces in a nod.
He chuckles, sliding the strap down my shoulder. His lips trace the path he just revealed, leaving me whimpering on the freaking countertop. There's no way it's supposed to feel that good to be kissed right there.
I shiver, trying not to come unglued as he slowly strips my bra off, leaving me in nothing but my panties in the middle of my kitchen.