Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
I could do this.
“Take off your bra,” he commanded, voice thick with sex.
My nipples peaked under the satin before I reached behind to unclasp it. Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled down the straps and let the bra fall to the floor on top of my shirt. Cool air prickled my skin, tightening my nipples into hard points. North’s hungry stare made my breasts swell with anticipation.
Then his hands were on my hips as if he couldn’t stop himself, drawing me between his thighs as his ferocious eyes drank me in. He smoothed his hands up my waist, goose bumps chasing his touch … then he cupped my heavy breasts in his hands and gave them a gentle squeeze.
I moaned while he groaned and kneaded me.
“Fuck me, fuck me,” North muttered, staring like he wanted to eat me alive. “You’re so sexy it might actually kill me.”
My skin flushed at the compliment.
Suddenly, he was on his feet and hauling me into his arms. “I need to kiss you.”
It was only then that I realized we hadn’t.
Kissed, that was.
Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine.
It wasn’t a soft, sweet, gentle, coaxing kiss.
North’s kiss was devouring.
I gasped into it as he kissed me like he wanted to fuck me. And it was exactly what I needed at that moment. Heat and desire exploded through me, sweeping my doubts and overthinking from my head until there was nothing but the feel of his hands on my body, the scent of him all around me, his lips bruising mine.
North broke away, panting, staring at me, a little stunned. “Jesus,” he murmured, his hands on my hips, squeezing gently. “I knew it would be like this between us.”
Relief eased through me. I wanted this with him, and maybe I could do it without overanalyzing his every word and touch.
But then he demanded, “Skirt off. Now.” And all that sexy fire filling my belly flickered out, doused by the very thought of being fully naked in front of him.
Fourteen
ARIA
“Talk to me.”
North was back on the bed, a wrinkle of concern between his brow.
I covered my naked breasts with my arms, feeling vulnerable and irritated. “Can’t you just take your pants off?”
He gave me that gorgeous, lopsided grin. “Eventually, aye.” Then he was serious again. “But first I want to know why the very mention of taking your skirt off turned you off?”
A memory seared through me, a painful flash that made me wince in remembrance. I hated that memory had power over me. I hated it was the reason I couldn’t bear to look at myself for more than a few seconds in the mirror.
God, I didn’t think I could do this. And didn’t that make me the worst fucking tease in the world? I covered my face with my hands, ashamed and furious all at once. “I’m so sorry, but I don’t think I can do this after all,” I apologized hoarsely between the gap in my fingers.
“You were with me until I asked you to take your skirt off … Christ, Aria, did … did someone hurt you?”
At the horror in his tone, I dropped my hands. The look on his face verged on devastated and realizing why, I hurried to assure him, “No, God, no, nothing like that.”
North seemed to slump with relief.
A pang of affection cut through the vulnerability. Covering my chest again, I looked down at my feet and admitted, “Not long before we broke up, Lucas and I got into a fight because he … oh, hell.” I felt a little sick. “We were in bed. We’d just had sex, and he put his hand on my stomach and told me I’d be sexier if I did some sit-ups and lost some weight. That he liked a flat, toned stomach on his woman.” I remember how hurt I was … how repulsive I’d suddenly felt lying naked in bed with him. How I’d wanted to hide from him and the world. Instead, I’d told him to go fuck himself. Then I dressed and stormed out. He sent me flowers to apologize and begged me to forgive him. But I didn’t want him to touch me after that and only two weeks later, Caitlyn sent me the video of the two of them together.
When North said nothing, I finally looked at him. The muscle in his jaw ticked, and I knew he wanted to pummel Lucas. He slowly stood, as if he were approaching a skittish animal, and moved around to stand behind me. His heat licked up my body as he leaned his chest against my back and took hold of my wrists, gently moving my arms back down to my sides. He trailed his fingertips up and down my arms, a caress that was soothing and arousing at the same time. My nipples peaked as he swept my hair over onto one side, revealing my neck.