Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Chapter 6
I kicked off my boots and removed my coat as Aiden built up the flames in the stone fireplace. What a night. Even though the guy had worn a mask, I’d thought I would be able to identify one of the robbers. What had I missed?
Aiden turned. “Come here.” That tone. Deep and dark with just a hint of an Irish brogue.
My body woke right up. Padding on my socks, I moved toward him, enjoying the sight of the fire behind his muscled form. “What’s up?”
“You.” He reached for the bottom of my sweater, gently lifted it over my head, then turned so the firelight washed over my torso. “Just checking for bruises.”
I looked down to see my light pink bra. “No bruises.”
“Hmm.” He released the front hook with one finger and drew both straps down my arms. “Sometimes an airbag or seat belt can cause harm.” He leaned closer and kissed above my left breast. “See?”
I focused my gaze, and there was a light purple mark from the seat belt. “Oh. I didn’t notice.” Nothing hurt.
He turned me, kissing from my waist up my back. “No bruises here.” His heated breath brushed the back of my ear, making me shiver.
Still behind me, he reached around and pulled my yoga pants down to the floor so I could step out of them. Featherlight, he ran his hands up the backs of my thighs and then turned me again, dropping to his knees. “You were lucky, Aingeal.”
“I know,” I breathed, heat filtering through my veins like a very fine wine. “Wasn’t my first slide on ice, Aiden.” Anybody who’d grown up driving in Idaho knew how to slide and correct, and I’d aimed off the road when necessary at a fairly shallow point.
He kissed my navel, drawing my pink panties down. “I can’t lose you, Anna Fiona Albertini.”
My stomach quivered. “You’re not going to.” Unable to help myself, I dug both hands into his thick hair, fully nude, while he remained dressed.
“I’m sorry I have to leave tomorrow.” He kissed my clit and nearly dropped me to my knees. Aiden was often passionate and wild, and I greatly enjoyed that about him. But this gentle side? Where he all but worshipped me? It was almost too much. Like when you held your breath for too long and weren’t sure you’d get your lungs refilled.
I tried to stand, crying out through a fast orgasm.
In a heartbeat, he stood and lifted me, striding toward the bedroom. I kissed him, dragging his shirt up and over his head, forcing him to release my mouth for a second. Only a heartbeat. Then his firm lips were back on mine, kissing me into oblivion.
He laid me on the bed and flicked on the soft-white bedside table lamp before unbuckling his belt and shucking his jeans. Then, he was on me.
I ran my hands down his muscular arms, marveling at the sharp cuts. Caressing his tattoo, I leaned up and kissed his whiskered jaw. The ink on his right biceps showed his life so far. From the alleyways of Dublin to Idaho, the Marines, and now the ATF. I loved the design and my heart warmed that I knew his entire life story.
He kissed my neck and took his time with my breasts, nipping and humming. Two of his fingers found me, making sure I was ready. I arched against him. Then he was right there, slowly pushing inside. Joining us in a way that made my heart stutter.
When he was finally embedded and pulsing inside me, I could only stare. His eyes glowed a myriad of wild blues and had an intensity at odds with his gentleness. “Valentine’s Day is coming. Don’t make plans.”
I dug my nails into his hips. “I won’t.” Except for helping Nick propose to Tessa, but I could work around that. Aiden was more important. “It’s our first Valentine’s Day together.”
He kissed me, going deep and starting to move.
Fire lashed through me, striking my nerves and seizing my lungs. I held on, trying to hold his gaze but needing to close my eyes to just feel.
Pleasure, thick and full, wound through me, striking every erogenous zone and landing in my heart. Sometimes, the depth of my feelings for him scared me, but right now, I could only ride them to a climax that stole my breath.
His head dropped to my neck, and he nipped me, shuddering with his own climax.
Still inside me, he lifted up and kissed me.
Neither of us was great with the romantic words, but our actions in times like these said it all—for now, anyway. The words were in the air, winding around us, but neither of us said them. We never had.
That time was probably coming, but just saying them didn’t seem like enough. Almost like it was too trite in some way.