Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
"I … Yes. I mean, yes, I would like that."
I chuckle at how wide her eyes have gotten. "Good."
My hand is still cupping her chin, and I can't seem to make myself let go. Not when her skin is so soft, and her eyes are locked onto mine. I know I should end this, walk away, and give her time to think and figure out what she wants.
But the beast in me can't. He doesn't want to take his eyes off Emma now that he’s awake.
And if I'm completely honest with myself, I don't know if I'd be able to walk away anyway. There's something about her, something that draws me in, makes me want to stay by her side. I swallow hard, trying to tamp down the feelings raging inside me, but it's no use. All I can see, all I can think about, is Emma.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I release her chin. But I don't step back, not wanting to put any more distance between us. Instead, I let my fingers trail across her jaw, down her neck, feeling the heat of her skin, and the rapid beating of her pulse beneath my touch.
It's intoxicating, this sense of power, of knowing that I have this effect on her, that I can make her heart race and her breath catch.
She looks up at me, owl-eyed, and I can see the same desire, the same need, reflected in her gaze. It's too much and not enough all at once.
I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear, and I hear her breath hitch.
"I'm going to kiss you, Emma, on that pretty mouth."
She doesn't say anything, but the slight nod of her head is all the encouragement I need. I cup her face in my hands, tilting her head up to meet mine. Her lips are soft and pliant beneath my own, and the taste of her is like a drug, intoxicating and addictive.
I deepen the kiss, claiming her mouth with a possessiveness that surprises even me. Emma responds eagerly, her body melting into mine, her arms wrapping around my neck.
I can feel the fire between us, burning hot and bright, and I know that there's no turning back now. This is only the beginning. She's stiff at first, inexperienced and surprised, but there's an eagerness to the sway of her body towards mine. I don't ask, but instead, I take, sliding my tongue across the seam of her lips until she opens them and I'm able to dip inside. God, she tastes good, my tongue sweeping against hers in a tangle. Emma makes soft sounds that have me as hard as a fucking rock.
Finally, reluctantly, I pull away. I need to catch my breath, and more importantly, I need to make sure that Emma is okay with what's happening between us.
"You good?"
She nods, her eyes still a little dazed and her lips kiss-swollen. Fuck, she's beautiful.
"Good."
We stand there for a moment, the tension between us still palpable, but before I can say anything, Emma speaks up.
"Luke, I..." She trails off, her gaze dropping to the ground. I can tell she's hesitant, maybe even a little scared, but there's a determination in her eyes when she looks back up at me. "I have class again in a few hours, and I really have to study for an exam I have for my Poetry class. But if you have time, you could pick me up on Friday.”
My heart swells at her invitation. She's taking a chance on me, opening herself up to the possibility of something more. And I'm going to show her that she made the right choice.
"Of course," I reply without hesitation. "I'll be here."
Emma beams up at me, and I can't resist leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. She smells like flowers and sunshine, and I linger for a moment, savoring the feeling of her so close. It can't last forever, though, and we're separating way before I'm ready to.
"And Emma," I tell her, "I hope you're ready to learn how to ride."
4
EMMA
After class, and a few hours after my unexpected encounter with Luke, Sarah and I are studying for the exam tomorrow. We're sitting at a table in the library, and I'm trying to focus, I really am. But my mind keeps drifting back to last night. To the way Luke's lips had felt against mine and the heat of his body pressed against me.
I can't stop thinking about it. And the worst part is, I can't stop wanting more. I've never felt like this, and it's really throwing me through a loop.
I'm jolted out of my thoughts by the feeling of a hand on my shoulder. Startled, I look up to see Sarah staring down at me, a concerned look on her face.