Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 149137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
His hips flexed, sending sparks through her again, but this was his time and she watched as his body stiffened, every muscle defined. He was a freaking work of art, from his carved muscles to the silky dark hair on top of his head, to his cut-from-granite superhero jawline.
That gorgeous face of his contorted as he held himself hard against her. His chest sawed in and out, breathing heavily, and then his head fell forward. He withdrew and kicked out of his pajama pants.
“Hold on,” he said after a long moment.
“What?”
He picked her up, wrapping one strong arm around her waist and lifting. She tightened her legs around him and wound her arms around his neck.
“What are you doing?” Were they going to the dungeon now? She wasn’t sure she had the energy for a session.
“Have to deal with something.” He stepped into the small bathroom in her room and grimaced as he reached under her with his free hand. “Don’t want to make a mess of your bed.”
Ah, he was getting rid of the condom. “And carrying me around?”
One side of his mouth lifted in the sexiest grin. “I did that because I didn’t want to let go. Also to prove how strong I am. Are you impressed?”
Charming Josh was deadly. She found herself smiling back and wishing he would kiss her. All it would take was a few inches and his lips would cover hers.
“I’m absolutely impressed with your strength, Joshua,” she replied, keeping her distance. Not that their bodies had a bit of distance between them. Nope. She was practically sliding all over him.
Both hands free now, he gripped her ass and strode back over to the bed. “I needed that. I think I need this, too.”
He fell on the bed, taking her with him and wrapping her around him. He laid back and yawned.
Her head found his chest, resting down and listening to his still-racing heart. It was slowing, having done its exercise for now.
“I thought you weren’t the cuddly type.” It felt nice and warm being so close to him.
“I’m not, but I think you are. I think you need this to feel close to me. I can’t give you some of the other things you need, but I have to admit that this is kind of nice. I haven’t done this in a long time,” he said with another yawn. His hand played idly in her hair and his eyes started to close.
“Do you want to sleep for a while?”
His arm tightened. “I should go to my own bed.”
He’d bent for her. She could do the same. “How about I stay right here until you fall asleep, and then I’m going to get up and take a shower. After that I’ll have some coffee and make breakfast. In an hour or two, I’ll wake you up, okay?”
“You said you’d make muffins.” He pulled the covers over them both.
She didn’t mention that he was supposed to be avoiding carbs. He could stand some comfort food. “Muffins it is.”
“And eggs and bacon and some orange juice.”
He should be glad she knew how to cook. “All those things.” She sighed and listened to his heartbeat. It was strong and steady, a reassuring sound. “You get some sleep.”
Slowly his breathing evened out and his arm relaxed.
And still she laid there, watching him sleep and wondering what the hell she was going to do about him.
* * * *
An hour later, Kay stepped down the stairs and into the main house. Someone had already made coffee, the scent leading her toward the kitchen.
“Morning,” a deep voice said. Shane was standing in the kitchen dressed in sweat pants and a T-shirt, a mug of coffee in his hand. “I take it my morning jog has been put off for the time being?”
It was a damn good thing she didn’t embarrass easily. “He’s out for at least another hour.”
“He paced all night,” Shane replied, his eyes going to the stairs. “At least that’s what Dec told me before he went to bed. The bedroom he’s using is right under Hunt’s. You didn’t stay in his room?”
“He doesn’t want to sleep with me,” she admitted. “He’s got a lot of baggage and he doesn’t like to share it.”
“He gets his hands around your throat again and I’ll share some of mine with him,” Shane replied, his tone dark.
She moved to the coffee pot, smelling the rich aroma. “I can handle myself. He’s got some issues. You have to let me deal with them. I think he’s going to be very territorial when it comes to me, and while I appreciate your help, it’s going to hurt my relationship with him if you step in.”
He leaned against the counter. “You can’t expect me to let him hurt you.”
“I don’t, but he’s not trying to hurt me. I triggered him last night. In more ways than one. I know better and we handled it this morning. We’re back on a good footing and I don’t want to waste it. Please tell me he has some actual sugar around here?”