Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
But then she pulls back, just enough to look at me. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen, and her eyes are filled with a mix of desire and uncertainty.
“Liam,” she breathes, her voice shaky. “I don’t want to be another thing you have to fix.”
“You’re not.” My hands cup her face, my thumbs brushing away the remnants of her tears. “You’re not broken, Callie. You’re the strongest person I know.”
She lets out a soft laugh, the sound tinged with disbelief. “You don’t even know half of me.”
“I know enough,” I say, my voice firm. “I know you’re brave and kind and stubborn as hell. And I know I want to be the one who stands beside you, no matter what.”
Her eyes search mine, and for a moment, everything else falls away. Then she leans in, her lips brushing against mine in a kiss that’s softer, sweeter, but no less intense.
As much as I want to keep going, to lose myself in her, something in me hesitates. I pull back, resting my forehead against hers.
“We can’t,” I say, my voice thick with restraint.
Her brows knit together. “Why not?”
“Because you deserve better,” I admit, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “Better than a broken man like me.”
Her fingers tighten in my shirt, her eyes flashing with determination. “You’re not broken, Liam. You’re the strongest person I know.”
Her words are a mirror of my own, and they hit me like a punch to the gut. I shake my head, my hand falling to my side. “I can’t give you what you need.”
“You don’t get to decide that,” she snaps, her tone fierce. “You don’t get to tell me what I need or what I want.”
Her defiance sparks something in me, and I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “You’re a stubborn woman, Callie Baker.”
“And you’re a damn fool if you think I see you as anything less than whole.”
I plant a soft kiss on her lips, then move across the room to turn on the stone fireplace, watching as the flames crackle to life.
“You're quite the romantic underneath that gruff exterior, aren't you?” She settles herself in my embrace.
“Don't say that too loud or I'll have to prove you wrong.” I playfully smack her bottom before planting a kiss on the top of her head. “Love that you’re here. That you’re mine.”
She laughs loudly. “Is this what my life has become now?”
“Absolutely.” I lean in for a kiss. “I love you, Callie.”
“Mm,” she hums against my lips. “I love you too,” comes her whisper. “You’re such a softy, Liam Grayson, you take me by surprise everyday..”
“Ssh, don’t say that too loud, I have a reputation to uphold around here.”
“Speaking of reputations.” She grins mischievously, tracing her thumb along my bottom lip. “I love your tattoos. I want to trace all of them with my tongue.”
I plant a tender kiss on her lips. “Got a thing for tattoos, baby? I’d cover myself in them if it made you happy.”
“Hmm.” She pauses, pursing her lips. “You’re more than enough like this.” She grins.
“Good, I like keeping you on your toes.” I guide her back to the couch, laying her back against the leather and then easing her leggings down her thighs. I strip her panties off and then marvel at the way she’s so aroused, pussy glistening for me in the dim light. I slide myself between her thighs, tracing my tongue along her soaked slit in slow, sensual movements.
She moans as her arousal coats my chin. “You're so wet, I could die inside you a happy man.”
She wiggles her hips and moans, causing my cock to tighten painfully in response. I continue to lick and suck, teasing her clit with my fingers before sliding them between her folds and gently massaging her muscles, urging her to relax. She grunts and arches off the sofa, trying to push her body against mine.
"Stop moving," I growl, holding her in place by her hips. But she either doesn't hear me or doesn't care, as she continues to writhe against my thrusts, chasing after my tongue. "If you don't stop, I will."
I slip the shirt off her shoulders and am surprised to find she isn’t wearing a bra. A low growl falls off my lips as I tweak her nipple gently, then a little harder until she opens her eyes and clenches her teeth together. That gets her attention. Her fiery grey eyes meet mine, a mix of anger, pain, and lust swirling within them.
"You have my attention now," she breathes out as she tenses, pulsing around me as she climaxes against my tongue. It's torturous but also sweet in its intensity.
"Fuck," I curse as I punish her for disobeying by pulling away my tongue.
“I want you," she gasps. "Take me, please.”
She has my heart pounding and my body craving to possess her completely. “Not yet, precious. I want to with everything in me, but I need to do right by you.”