Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
For the first time today, I smile. This man fits in well.
16
Jewls
“Who are you messaging this time?”
“Just a second.” I read through it once more and send to Tonda.
“Baby, put down the phone and come here.”
I drop it on the counter and go to him, letting him pull me into his lap. “You finally done?”
“Yes, the terror triplets won’t dare interrupt our morning. My family is handled, and Tonda is up to speed on Rowan’s situation.”
His strong hands massage my shoulders. A small moan escapes at the firm touch on the tense muscles. His cock hardens against my thigh.
“Sorry,” I lie.
“We need to talk about what happened.”
“I’m talked out. There are better options for things to do with our night.” I lean in, nibbling on his bottom lip.
It’s his turn to groan. “I need to know you’re okay.”
I jerk back. “I’m fine, why?”
“Have you ever walked into a situation like today?”
“Too many times to count.”
“Let me rephrase. Have you ever walked into a friend in the situation today?”
“No.” My response is automatic, and I realize what he’s getting at. The bitterness I’ve been holding on to rears its head, and I blow out a frustrated breath. “My heart breaks for her. She didn’t deserve this. No one does. Walking in on a robbery is one thing, but having him beat the hell out of you, too?”
“It’ll take time, but she’ll be alright. Her family seems solid, and with her group of friends, she’ll come out on the other side of this.”
His face is calm, but his voice is terse. All the guys were amazing with Rowan after her reunion with her parents. It scared me their presence would trigger an emotional withdrawal, but it was the opposite. They were each gentle and supportive.
It didn’t hit me until this moment how many times throughout the years in the Marines they’ve seen injuries, anguish—or worse. My mind drifts to Koby and Major suffering the loss of his best friend. “I’m sorry about Koby.”
He jerks to the side, eyeing me wearily.
“Last night, things were intense, and it wasn’t the time to talk. But if you ever need to, I’m here.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“It makes sense now, how you felt so much guilt about Ace.”
“Not even in the same league, babe. Ace was at my back. They outnumbered us. Koby was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“You’re right, but facing another situation where your best friend could die must have elicited some buried feelings.”
His lips curl and eyes light up. “You psychoanalyzing me, baby?”
“Comes naturally.”
“Today’s been hard on you, and your instincts are at full speed. I assure you, things are good.”
“I’ll tone it back.”
“I think I know what can help with that.” His voice drops low.
“What?” I breathe out, a tingling sensation stirring through me.
He resumes massaging my shoulders. “You need to loosen up.”
“That feels good.”
“In order to do this properly, we need to get you out of these clothes.”
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
He slips the shirt off my shoulders, the tank going next until he’s staring in appreciation at my simple yet cute bra. Even though my head was in a tailspin this morning, I chose my lingerie with him in mind.
“Satin, lace, cotton with ruffles—every time it’s like opening a present.”
His tongue trails down the valley between my breasts, pulling the fabric down with his teeth. Tingles race up my spine when he blows on my nipple before sucking the peak.
He works the clasp, removing the material from my body and raking his heated eyes over my naked skin.
“I swore to myself that tonight, I’d take my time. With all the shit spinning around us, you deserve to be worshipped. Wipe all the bad away, make you understand how much you mean to me.”
My heart soars, and it’s all I can do to stay still when his gaze meets mine.
“I remember it all, Julianna. The first time, second time—every time I slid my cock inside you. The way you hooked me in, stretched around me, sucked me deep. Unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was more than sex, much more. Do you know why?”
“Why?” The question comes out husky, my throat suddenly bone dry.
“Because it meant you were finally mine. Wild, crazy, carefree, kind, generous, funny, so goddamned beautiful it scorches my blood every time I look at you—finally fucking mine.”
It’s safe to say I’m about to internally combust. My core clenches, remembering the same. As much as I want to experience being worshipped, it will have to wait.
I claw at his shirt, getting it halfway until he has to help. My shorts and panties are next, his gaze turning a molten liquid when I link my fingers in his waistband.
“Lay back, baby.”
“Later.”
“Later?” His eyebrows shoot up inquisitively.
“Later, you can do all the worshiping, slow tease, drive me out-of-my-mind foreplay. But right now, I need you inside me.”