Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I groan and bang my head on his chest. “I’m such a dork.”
Bain chuckles but then leans back, his fingers under my chin so I’m forced to look up at him. “As cute and utterly hilarious as that was, why are you really here? And don’t give me that line about sex. We had sex just fine without living together.”
I’m still so embarrassed, I’m not thinking straight. My fight-or-flight response still has me in defensive mode. “Truly… I just thought it would make things more convenient.”
“Kiera,” Bain says, his voice low and oddly dad-like. It says you better tell me the truth because if I find out some other way, I’m not going to be happy.
“I just…” I glance down the hall, fixated on the elevator. I should leave.
“Kiera,” Bain says again, this time gently. My gaze comes back to him. “You can tell me anything.”
I close my eyes, inhale slowly and then let it out. When I open them again, I give it to him straight. “I love you. And I don’t want to be fuck buddies. I want you to be in love with me too. If you can’t do that, I’ll take fuck buddies but my heart will be broken. So please, maybe be willing to take a risk and jump off the ledge with me into a real relationship where we love each other for eternity. I can’t take a broken heart when it comes to you.”
“Wow,” Bain says… actually, more like wheezes. His expression is one of blindsided incredulity. “You love me?”
I nod. “But if it’s too much or too weird, I’ll gladly—”
Bain’s mouth descends onto mine, one hand cupping my head and his other arm around my back. It’s hot and ravenous and I’m immediately consumed by his touch again.
Fingers slipping into my hair, gripping hard, he pulls me back so he can stare down at me. “In case you didn’t figure it out by that kiss, I love you too.”
My heart thumps like a puppy’s tail. “You do?”
“God, yes. I’ve been miserable this last week, holding that in… afraid to say it to you. I wanted to say it at your house, but I became really unsure of myself and then somehow we’d committed to go backward rather than forward.”
“Right?” I exclaim. “That talk did not go how I wanted it to.”
“I’m guessing we were both too nervous. We’re taking a big step.”
“The biggest… two reformed fuck buddies.”
Bain shakes his head. “No, we’re still going to be fuck buddies. And we’re going to have wild monkey sex all the time since you’re moving in with me. But we’re going to do it with a whole lot of love.”
And… I melt. “Will you kiss me again?”
I get a playful smirk. “If you say you love me again.”
“I love you, Bain Hillridge.”
“I love you, Kiera McGinn.”
He dips his head toward mine, but I jerk back slightly. “After we kiss can we go back in and immediately tell your parents we’re in love so we can smooth over my jackassery?”
“It’s old news to my parents that I love you. They knew that already, but I’m sure it will set things straight if you tell them you love me too.”
“Phew,” I exclaim. “I want to start this off on the right foot.”
Bain laughs and takes my hand, pulling me toward the door.
“Where are we going?” I ask, putting on the brakes.
He looks back at me. “We can’t stand in the hallway all day.”
I try to tug free of his hold, managing a sheepish smile. “It’s preferable to confronting your parents after my obnoxious commentary.”
Bain reels me in and wraps his arms around my body to pull me in tight. The familiar flare of lust hits me, and God, how I’ve missed having this man in my bed, in my body. He tips his head, feathers his lips over my cheek and to my ear where he whispers, “If you’d just told me how you felt this morning when I came to your house, this could’ve all been avoided. So now this is your penance.”
I jerk back from him, but he doesn’t loosen his hold. I can only tip my head to glare up at him. “You could have told me how you really felt,” I accuse hotly.
Bain grins. “That is absolutely true, and it’s my penance too. The only difference is I’m not embarrassed about the wild monkey sex comment and you are.”
A tiny growl emits from my throat. He’s throwing down a challenge. “We’ll see about that.” I push out of his embrace and march back to his door.
I open up and step inside, my eyes first going to Bain’s dad, then to his mother. They both look at me with hesitant smiles but hope in their eyes. They want this to work out for their son.