Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I smiled despite wanting to toss him off me. He started calling me beauty from the second he picked me up on our first date.
Holding my wrists above my head, he baited, “What do I get if I stop?”
“What do you want?”
“Now those are my favorite words.”
“You’re horrible. You know that, right?”
He released me. “It’s why you like me.”
“It’s why I shouldn’t.”
“Beauty, we both know you would be devastated if you didn’t have me in your life.”
Before the last word left his mouth, I knocked him in the face with a pillow.
His eyes went wide. “Oh, beauty, it’s on now.”
I shrieked, about to block his attack, but I was too slow. He went straight for my inner thigh.
“Deacon, don’t you dare,” I warned as his finger dug into my skin.
“You can’t do this! You can’t—”
“Try to stop me, beauty.”
I pitifully tried to shove his hand away. “You always do this. You always tickle me. It isn’t fair!”
“What’s not fair? That you love it? Is that what’s not fair?”
“No!”
He grinned, squeezing my thigh again, and I lost my shit. Kicking my legs, I flailed everywhere, and my body shook uncontrollably from his assault.
I would not laugh. I could not laugh.
It’d only entice him.
He squeezed harder, twitching his fingers on the muscle to the point of pain. Like when you hit your damn funny bone—it hurt like a bitch, but it made you laugh from the sting. I couldn’t take it anymore, and I squealed, laughing hysterically and screaming all at the same time. His body firmly locked on top of mine, giving him the advantage to continue to torture me unmercifully and with no remorse.
“Deacon! You’re going to make me pee my pants!”
He pressed harder, my throat burned, and my voice sounded hoarse.
“You have five seconds to apologize for hitting me in the face.”
“With a pillow!”
“Four seconds, or I’ll really have no mercy on you at all. Three… two…”
I fought harder and laughed louder.
“One…”
“I’m sorry!” I screamed, trying to catch my breath, and he finally stopped.
I exhaled heavily, in and out, my chest rising and falling, with my heart pounding out of my skin. My warm body had sweat forming at my temples.
With the back of his fingers, he swept the hair away from my eyes.
“You’re still horrible.”
“And you still like me.”
“I don’t know why.”
“Sure, you do. Who else can make you feel like this?”
He kissed me slowly and passionately. I’d never been kissed like he’d kiss me. Every time his lips touched mine, a deep spark would ignite in the core of my body and in the center of my heart. For the first time in my life, I was falling in love, and the feeling was very much mutual.
I felt it in my bones.
This man was falling for me too.
Finally, I found what I’d been looking for.
I giggled, feeling the weight of him on me. It was one of my favorite things in the world.
“You’re squishing me.”
“But I’m so comfortable.”
“You’re such a bully in so many languages.”
“Feisty words for someone who just lost our battle.”
“I always lose the battle.”
“Yet you still try me every chance you get.”
“I can’t help you’re a bully in your heart and soul, Deacon McKay.”
“Well, Cove Trinity Noel, I guess that makes you my prey.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Do you have any idea how fucking beautiful you are?”
“I do.” I smiled. “But tell me anyway.”
He kissed me again. “You feel so fucking good beneath me, beauty.”
We’d been spending a lot of time together. With Hayes taking up most of Haven’s time, I filled mine with Deacon. He spoiled me with his complete attention. I wasn’t used to being with a guy who wanted to know every last thing about me. He wasn’t just asking to ask. He was genuinely invested in everything I willingly shared with him.
It was nice to feel like the center of someone’s universe.
I never had that before.
In the last month alone—he was attentive, caring, and constantly surprising me with trips to places he knew I loved because I told him. He took me to the zoo for a private tour with the animals, a behind-the-scenes experience, and it was amazing.
We spent a weekend in the Grand Canyon, where he rented us a high-end tent, and we watched the stars at night while hiking during the day. I loved nature. Anytime I could be outside, I was. He even woke up at four o’clock on our last day there so we could watch the sunrise over the horizon.
Every last detail of my favorite things to do he accomplished. He was effortlessly checking off all my boxes. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. Especially since we hadn’t had sex yet. He said he wanted to wait until I was ready. Making out was as far as we went, and he was content enough with it. It truly blew my mind how patient he was with me.