Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“You want to kiss me?” I can hear the disbelief in her tone.
“More than anything.”
“Okay.”
I smile. “You’re very agreeable tonight.”
“Someone recently told me I need to stand up for myself, and that I need to fight for what I want.” There’s a quiver in her voice.
“And you want me to kiss you?”
“Yes.”
With my hand behind her neck, I pull her closer. My lips are now a breath from hers. “You’re a gift,” I mumble just before my lips press to hers. It’s just a soft press, but it’s not enough. One taste isn’t enough. I decide to push her just a little. I lick at her lips, and she opens for me.
I take the opportunity to slide my tongue against hers. She gasps at the intrusion but doesn’t hesitate to take what I’m offering and kiss me back. Her hands find their way to my hair, and she tugs gently as the heat of our kiss intensifies.
I need her closer.
Moving my hand from her neck, I make a slow trek down her body until I reach her thigh. I lift her leg over mine and she moans when she feels how hard I am for her. I’m very aware of the fact that we’re crossing lines. Lines that are meant to be drawn with a chisel tip Sharpie.
My cock is screaming to be set free, to be inside her, but I ignore the throbbing and continue to kiss her. I slow my strokes, savoring her. This isn’t about me. This is about her. This is about giving this gorgeous woman a new experience. One she was brave enough to reach out and take, and she needs to be rewarded for that. That means my cock needs to be ignored as I take my time exploring her mouth while allowing my hands to roam over every inch of her that I can reach.
“Merrick—” she pleads. Her hand slinks between us as she reaches for the waistline of my shorts.
I have to stop this.
Pulling out of the kiss, I place my hand over hers, stopping her. “Not tonight.”
“Oh.” She tries to slip away, and I know she’s feeling rejected.
I take her hand in mine and place it over my hard cock. “I want you, Courtney. Get out of that beautiful head of yours. I’m not rejecting you. I’m just saying not tonight.”
“Why?” she asks, her voice small.
“Because tonight I’m giving you a new experience. My cock was not a part of that.” I kiss her again, just a quick peck against her lips. I can’t allow myself more. I have to stop this before I can’t.
“Roll over, baby.” She does as I ask and rolls over, placing her back to my chest. Sliding one arm under her head, I wrap the other around her, and bury my face in her neck, kissing lightly. “Goodnight, gorgeous.”
“Are you comfortable like this?” she asks.
“Very. Are you?”
“It’s—yeah, I’m warm, and I feel... safe. Like I’m wrapped up in a Merrick cocoon.”
“Good.” I kiss her again, just below her ear.
“Goodnight.”
Another kiss because I can’t seem to stop myself before I close my eyes and will myself to fall asleep with this beautiful, uncertain woman in my arms. I can’t help but wonder what other experiences I can give her. That’s my last thought as I finally drift off to sleep.
My eyes pop open when I feel Courtney trying to move out of my arms. “No,” I grumble, and she giggles. Fuck me, I could get used to hearing that sound first thing in the morning.
“I have to pee,” she whines.
“Are you coming back to bed?”
She hesitates. “I’ll come back to bed.”
“Fine.” I kiss her bare shoulder where my T-shirt has slid off during the night. She tosses off the covers and scurries off to the bathroom. I do the same, needing to take care of business. I stand just outside the bathroom door to wait for her. When the door opens, she gasps.
“Did you find the extra toothbrushes?” I ask, knowing she did from the sounds coming from the bathroom.
“I did.”
“Good.” I lean in and press my lips to her temple. “Get back in bed.” I walk into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I quickly handle my business, wash my hands, and brush my teeth.
I find Courtney in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. “You cold?” I ask her, slipping back into bed beside her. I don’t stop until I have her back in my arms.
“Not anymore,” she says with a small laugh.
“How are you feeling?”
“Rested.”
“And last night?”
Her back is to my front, and she pulls the covers up to cover her face. “Embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed?” I ask, surprised, although I shouldn’t be. “Don’t hide from me,” I tease as I tickle her side. She giggles and squirms, trying to get away from me. “Court.”