Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“You are the single check mark in both those categories,” I said.
“Ah,” was all she replied.
“I work a lot. I get called to events, meetings, even out of town. I’m used to living alone, only thinking about myself—not answering to anyone. I’m not sure what sort of partner I would be. Relationships and I aren’t exactly friends.”
“Wow, you make it sound so fun. Irresistible, even.”
I chuckled. “Just laying it on the line.” I shifted closer. “But I’d like to try with you, Tally. I’m breaking every rule. Every single one of them, but I don’t care. If you feel the same attraction I do, then tell me, and we’ll figure it out.”
“I don’t kiss men who are my boss either. In fact, I can’t recall the last time I kissed anyone.”
“So, you’re interested?”
She slid her hand into mine. “Yes, I am. I think you’re incredible. Smart, caring, sexy. And how you looked after me last night?” She smiled again. “I can’t thank you enough for saving me. Taking care of me. You made me feel as if I mattered.”
“You do matter. You matter to me.” I paused. “And you have to stay here—at least for a while. I need to look after you.”
“Does that include kisses?”
I touched her cheek. “Yes.”
“You sleeping with me, holding me?”
I shifted closer. “Yes.”
“Ordering pizza from that guy? The good stuff?”
I laughed. I would order anything if she kept smiling and would eat. “Yes.”
“Well then, you get your wish.”
I kissed her, just because I could, then stood. “Pizza coming up.”
After she nibbled on some pizza, she looked tired, and I insisted she lie down. She fell asleep quickly, and I did a little work, concentrating on some budget stuff I had been ignoring. I hated that part of the job, but it had to be done. An odd sound met my ears, and I swung myself in the direction of the noise. I hurried to the bedroom, not surprised to find Tally in the throes of a nightmare. I climbed in beside her, gently pulling her back to me and hushing her.
“Shh, baby, it’s okay. I’m right here. You’re safe. So safe with me.”
She relaxed and seemed to drift back into sleep. I knew I should get up. Go work. Leave her alone. But I liked how she felt in my arms. The way she relaxed and curled her figure to align with mine. I stayed where I was, offering the warmth and protection of my body, not really wanting to move away, even though I knew I should. I relaxed, the sound of her breathing soothing. I hadn’t slept much either last night, and I was tired.
I would just rest for a few moments.
I woke to the shadows of the evening. Tally’s back was pressed against my chest, my arms around her. One of my hands was holding her breast, the nipple a taut peak in my palm. My face was buried in her neck, the skin soft under my mouth. My other hand was splayed on her stomach, two fingers pushed under her waistband. My cock was hard. Aching. Pressed against her. She had one leg bent, accommodating me. She whimpered, lifting her hand and grabbing the back of my neck. How we ended up tangled this way, I had no idea. I groaned at the feel of her, even though I knew I had to stop—no matter how good it felt.
“Tally, baby…”
She moaned low in her throat as my fingers flexed, teasing her nipple.
“Julian,” she whispered.
“We have to stop. I can’t. You’re hurt. We can’t—” The rest of my words were cut off with another groan as she undulated against me.
“Please,” she whispered. “Make it go away. Make me feel good, Julian.”
Of its own accord, my hand slid into the boxers she was wearing, finding her heat, the slickness warm and welcoming on my fingers. Imagining how it would feel on my cock made me curse. She lifted her leg higher, opening herself wider for my hand. I stroked and teased, touching and learning. I licked and kissed at her neck, tugged on her earlobe, my body a tight coil of desire.
“Please,” she repeated. “Make me yours.”
I gave in. The loose boxers slid off her in a second. I yanked down my sweats, barely breaking contact with her.
“Condom,” I murmured.
“On birth control. Clean,” she replied.
I slid my cock through her wetness. Groaned at the heat. Hitched her leg higher and notched myself at her entrance, ever aware of her injuries. Inch by glorious inch, I sank into her, slowly and carefully, until I was fully engulfed. Surrounded by her. She cried out as I slid my hand to her clit, stroking it lightly. I was desperate to move, frantic to thrust, to claim, but I knew I had to be gentle. I held her against me, rocking into her, pumping in and out in a slow, deep, steady rhythm, intent only on giving her pleasure. She whimpered and gasped my name. Clutched my hand that played with her breast. Pushed back against me. She turned her head, and we shared sloppy, uncontrolled kisses as I began to move and rock faster. She was tight and wet, her muscles clutching and pulsating. I touched her clit with more pressure. Buried my face in her neck as my orgasm began to build. Higher. Hotter. Faster. I wrapped my arm around her tighter, holding her close, and gave in to the sensation. Burning, twisting, rolling through my body like a wildfire out of control. She cried out, tightening around me, sending me into another spiral of ecstasy. We moved together until we were spent. Sated. Our bodies pressed together as if one, our breathing matching with long exhales. I kissed her neck.