Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55599 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“He’s always had a bit of a wild streak,” she says. “But he’s also fiercely loyal and he loves deeply. I’m sure you know what happened with his ex-wife.”
I nod.
She lowers her voice. “It hurt him badly. Be patient with him.”
Dane walks into the kitchen and pours a cup of coffee, leaning his back against the counter and giving me a look I can’t read from across the room.
“Hey babe, I took our bags to the bedroom and it looks like your cat scratched the shit out of my bed frame.”
Shit. None of my furniture is valuable, but Dane’s is a different story. Poor Mr. Darcy has been left alone here for long stretches while we travel, with just the housekeeper checking in on him.
I feel a little bit bad. But also not that bad because he put me in a weird spot when he told his parents I was his girlfriend. How is that going to play out over the next few days?
I smile at Savannah. “Dane absolutely loves my cat, Mr. Darcy. They snuggle constantly and rub noses. It’s so cute.”
Savanah’s jaw drops. “That’s...amazing. Dane, you’ve always hated cats.”
His gaze is locked onto mine, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Well, if my girl loves Mr. Darcy, so do I.”
Our food delivery arrives and Stan announces that he and Savannah are heading out for a few hours of shopping. As soon as they’re out the door, I give Dane my best death glare.
“Your girlfriend? Really?”
He grins. “Come on, Nosy. You liked it.”
I scoff. “I was not prepared to meet your parents like this. Look at me.”
“You look cute. And that’s how they are. They just drop in.”
I bite into a piece of bacon, feeling stabby. “I’ll pretend to be your girlfriend, but you’d better kiss my cat’s ass. I meant it about rubbing noses. Get on your phone and order some gourmet treats. Make him feel like the only cat in the world, Foster.”
“Fine.” His tone is sulky. “But I get unlimited ass grabbing.”
I laugh. “You want to grab my ass in front of your parents? Classy.”
“I didn’t say in front of them. Whenever I want. In fact, I get unlimited everything short of actual sex.”
My body heats in response to his words. I swallow hard, not just because it’s Dane and I’m undeniably attracted to him, but because it’s been a long time since any man has so much as accidentally brushed against my tit.
“Are you saying I have to give you unlimited blow jobs?”
“No...unless you want to?” He arches his brows and grins wickedly. “Everything else, though. No fucking, no blow jobs, but anything else.”
I consider. “What about anal? Fisting? Bondage?”
He scoffs. “Jesus Christ, Nosy. Am I wearing a leather mask with just a mouth hole here? No, none of that. You know what I’m talking about.”
I nod, my skin tingling at the prospect of having his hands on me. “Okay.”
“Is there something I need to know about you? Are you into that stuff?”
I laugh. “I don’t think so. I mean, absolutely not on fisting. And I don’t want to be chained to a dingy cellar wall or anything, but a man who’s...I don’t know...insistent about what he wants is pretty hot.”
The dark hunger swirling in his eyes makes my heart pound erratically. I was tired before, but now? All I can think of is his wide shoulders and his carved muscles. All the times I’ve watched him sleeping shirtless in hotel rooms and fantasized about being curled up to his powerful chest.
“Insistent might be putting it mildly with me,” he murmurs.
I take a bite of my cinnamon roll, deliberately moaning softly when the sweet flavor hits my tongue. “Mmm, so good.”
“First time I’ve ever been hard while eating biscuits and gravy. Thanks for that.”
I pick up my plate. “I’m going to clean up and take a shower.”
“Leave it. I’ll clean up.”
Our gazes lock. My pulse pounds and I know this is it. Something is about to change between us.
It’s still a bad idea because of my job. I’m still probably setting myself up for heartbreak. But it’s the way Dane makes me feel about me that makes me unable to deny our attraction any longer.
He makes me feel sexy. Smart. Clever. Worthy. We may not last forever, but I want to wrap my arms around those feelings and hold them close for as long as I can.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Josie
When I step out of the bathroom, Dane’s waiting for me, his gaze locking with mine.
I tighten my hold on the towel I wrapped around myself after my shower; it’s the only thing keeping him from seeing all of me. After all these weeks of being together twenty-four seven, he’s seen more of me than any man ever has in every nonphysical way.
He’s heard me snore. Seen me cranky. Watched me vomit countless times. And still, he’s looking at me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the world right now. I don’t want to shatter that image by losing my hold on this towel and having him find out my stomach’s not rock hard like his.