Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“When I know you don’t just want me for my body, then I’ll let you have your way,” I tell her.
She smiles at that and then shrugs. “You’re no fun.” She gives me a wink that goes straight to my cock. She got me to break last night. I just wanted to lie in bed with her. Get her used to me being around and not going anywhere. But then having her little body under me, begging for me to do things I’ve been dreaming about for years… A man can have only so much control, and I snapped. And she was right. It’s been a long time since I’ve been with a woman—long before she even came into my life. Sex was never something I’d craved before her. But with her I do. I can’t stop myself.
The waitress comes back with our beers and asks if we’ve had a chance to look at the menu.
“We’ll have two of the Angus burgers with bacon and cheese. She’ll have mayo and ketchup, but no onions or pickles, and I’ll take it how it comes. We want a dozen wings, half mild, half hot, an order of truffle butter popcorn, and cut fries. That should be it.”
Paige starts to say something, but I do it for her. “And then we’d like to see the dessert menu when we’re finished.”
She sighs loudly enough that it makes the waitress laugh, but she jots it all down and walks away.
“You’re the worst,” Paige says, and I let go of one of her hands so she can take a drink of her beer.
“I’m the worst because I know everything about you.”
For a second her eyes grow wide, and then she looks away. “You don’t know everything.”
I know everything. But I don’t need to tell her that. “I know what’s important. Like the way you take your burgers and what kind of beer you like. I know when you lean back in your chair at work you twirl your hair with your left hand. I know that you like to take the stairs two steps at a time, even though your legs are half the length of most people’s. I know you like the smell of lemons and prefer food over flowers. I know your eyelashes flutter when you’re having a bad dream, and I know that a kiss below your ear will stop them from coming.” Her deep blue eyes are locked on mine, and I run my thumb across her wrist.
“I know that you feel something for me that scares the hell out of you, and I know I won’t take you until you recognize what that feeling is. I know that in the end, you’re going to be mine, but you’re terrified of seeing that far ahead. That it’s going to take you some time to get used to me being around. That I’m not going anywhere. That I’d never hurt you. I know all of that, Paige, and so much more.” I lean forward a little so that my words are only for her. “I know I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you, and one day, you’ll say it back. That soon you’ll see that I really do love you. That they aren’t just words. I’m going to prove it to you. Make you fall in love with me.”
Small tears form in the corners of her eyes, but she doesn’t let them fall. She’s a fighter, that’s for damn sure. And it’s my most favorite thing about her. I want her to let me fight beside her. With her. Show her she’s not alone.
After a moment of holding my hand, she takes a breath and smiles at me. “You don’t know what color underwear I’m wearing.” She raises her chin a little in a smug challenge. She’s teasing, because she doesn’t know what else to say. She needs time to let all I said settle in, and I’ll give it to her. I’ll give her anything she wants as long as in the end she’s mine.
I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss the knuckles. “You’re not wearing any, kitten.”
She tries to fight the smile, but she can’t. Instead she looks at my mouth, which is running back and forth across her hand as I feel her skin against my lips.
“How is it you know everything about me and I don’t know anything about you?”
I pause my movements and smile at her. “Too busy being dazzled by my incredible personality?”
“That can’t possibly be it.”
The waitress comes over with our food and to offer us another beer. Reluctantly, I let go of Paige’s hand so she can eat, but I don’t have much of a choice, as she really doesn’t play nice when it comes to her mealtime.
“So tell me then.” She glances at her burger and then back to me quickly, like she’s shy about asking.