Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
I’d meant what I’d said before.
I wanted closeness with him, friendship. . .and perhaps something more.
We’d already seen each other at our worst. Me, drenched in blood, despair driving me to the edge of a rooftop. And him, clinging desperately to the lifeless body of his lover, unable to release his hold.
What was mere nudity compared to that?
We’d exposed the darkest corners of our souls to each other and were met not with judgement, but with compassion and love.
Slowly, I stripped down to my bra and panties.
My skin prickled with fear and excitement.
Yet, his unyielding gaze only amplified the daring thrill. Lei watched my every move, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
For a moment, I thought he would make a move towards me.
And, that prospect surged my body with an unexpected confidence. His piercing and captivating gaze illuminated me with an aura of beauty that I had never experienced before.
I felt dazzling, desirable, stunning.
In his eyes,
I was
undeniably gorgeous.
Jesus Christ.
Once my pants and top dropped to the ground, I took a deep breath.
Cool air brushed against my skin.
“Wow. I really did it.” I ran my hands along my body, feeling the curves of my hips and the swell of my breasts.
A grunt left Lei as his gaze followed my hands.
Inch by inch, he raised his eyes to meet mine, and his gaze burned with this intense desire that made me quiver inside.
A wave of heat coursed through my veins.
He whispered. “We still need to discuss the rules for our comforting each other.”
My body hummed for him. “We do.”
He closed the distance between us. More heat radiated from his muscular frame, setting my own aflame. He dropped his gaze to my lips. “I definitely have several suggestions.”
My breathing quickened. “I would love to hear them.”
Lei’s lips curved in a mesmerizing smile. He reached out and stroked my cheek with his fingers, sending little sparks of electricity all over my skin.
“We are still learning each other.” His voice lowered. “But do you trust me?”
Did I? Yes, I did.
Without hesitation or doubt, I answered him in the only way that seemed appropriate—by leaning into his touch and pressing my lips against his fingers.
His groan vibrated through me, and before long, he had his mouth on mine. Our kiss deepened with urgency as if we were both anxious to explore what else we could do for each other.
As the kiss ended, his breath fanning across my lips. “Monique. . .what would you say to a ‘no holding back’ rule?”
My body quivered in anticipation.
Chapter thirty-one
The No Holding Back rule
Monique
There, Lei stood. His toned muscles shimmered under the sunlight. He was a sexy vision of raw and primal desire that both electrified and scared me.
My words came out a bit rougher than intended. “What do you mean by that, Lei?”
A hint of mischief glimmered in his eyes. He leaned closer until he was only an inch away from me. His hot breath tickled my ear as he whispered, “That we don’t hide our emotions for one another, or the attraction between us.”
“We’re already half naked in front of each other. Not much hiding is happening.”
“Still.” He licked his lips. “No holding back.”
I met his gaze.
My heart pounded in my chest. The thought of exploring this rising desire with him on a physical level was exactly what I yearned for.
“No holding back,” I echoed. “I can agree to that.”
His gaze softened. Those dark eyes gleamed with something more than just desire. Perhaps, it was respect, understanding, and a glimmer of something else, something deeper, something that spoke of a bond we had yet to truly understand.
Meanwhile, I had another question. It was probably a bit much to prove right now, but we had already said a whole hell of a lot today.
I might as well take it there.
I sighed. “So. . .”
He quirked his brows.
“We’re talking about no holding back, and I love that. But like. . .I don’t have the limits you have, so you really need to help me understand how we are going to navigate this because I am. . .”
Horny as fuck.
Lei studied me. “You are what?”
“Don’t worry about that.” I blinked. “I know we are talking about no holding back, but there are some limits with you. That is for sure.”
“What limits?”
Dude. . .you are a virgin. Don’t make me say it.
“Lei.” I smiled. “You have a limit.”
“What do you think it is?”
“Sex. Actual penetration.”
“Ah.” He gave me a warm smile. “It never comes up so, I don’t know, I didn’t think about that part in this situation.”
How the hell are you not thinking about that part? It’s a BIG part! Like. . .what else could the no holding back even mean?
I swallowed, needing us to talk about this, but not wanting to be too pushy as he grieved for Chanel. In the end, he had saved all of that big, thickness for her.