Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 157450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 630(@250wpm)___ 525(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157450 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 630(@250wpm)___ 525(@300wpm)
Bloody hell.
“I’m sorry I hurt you.” I kiss her forehead.
“My mother said to me it would hurt. But only the first time.” She pulls the quilt up to her chin.
“Only the first time?”
She nods, and hope blossoms in my chest. I caress her cheek. “So you’d be willing to give it a second try?”
“Yes, I think so,” she says, giving me a coy smile, and my cock thickens in approval.
Again? Already?
“Only…only if you want to,” she adds.
“Only if I want to?” I can’t keep the incredulity out of my voice. I laugh and swoop down and kiss her. Hard. “Sweet, sweet Alessia,” I whisper against her lips. She grins up at me, and suddenly my heart thunders. I need to know. “Was it good…for you?”
She blushes her not-so-innocent shade of pink. “Yes,” she whispers. “Especially at the end when I—”
When you came!
I grin, and elation radiates through my chest.
Thank fuck!
Her attention turns to her hands, which are still clutching the quilt, and her brow creases.
“What is it?” I ask.
“For you,” she says quietly. “Was it good for you?”
I laugh. “Good?” I laugh again, head held back, and I’m deliriously happy, and it’s been a while since I felt that way. “Alessia, it was exceptional. That was the best fuck…um…sex I’ve had in years.”
Why is that?
Her eyes widen, and she gasps in horror. “That is a bad word, Mister Maxim.” She tries to feign disapproval, but her eyes twinkle with mirth. I beam down at her and run my thumb over her bottom lip.
“Say ‘Maxim.’ ” I want to hear my name in her provocative accent again.
Her cheeks redden once more.
“Say it. Say my name.”
“Maxim,” she whispers.
“Again.”
“Maxim.”
“That’s better. I think we should get you cleaned up, beautiful. I’ll run us a bath.”
I throw off the covers and climb out of bed, and, collecting the condom from the floor, I stride into the bathroom.
Fuck.
I feel…
Giddy.
I’m a grown man, and I’m giddy!
Sex with her is better than being amped on coke…any drug. Any day.
I dispose of the contraceptive and turn on the taps over the bath, then add some bubble bath and watch the water turn to sweet-smelling foam. Taking one of the facecloths, I put it on the side.
Gushing water fills the tub, and I marvel at the day’s events. I’ve finally laid my daily. Normally, once I’ve bedded a woman, I can’t wait to be alone. But that’s not how I feel today. Not with Alessia. I’m still enchanted by whatever spell she’s cast over me. And, what’s more, I get to spend this week and maybe next week with her….The prospect is exciting.
My cock stirs in agreement.
I glance at myself in the mirror and catch my euphoric grin, and for a moment I don’t recognize myself.
What the fuck is happening to me?
I run my hand through my hair in an effort to tame it and remember her blood on my hand.
A virgin.
I’ll have to marry her now. I snort at my ridiculous thought as I wash my hands, but I wonder if any of my ancestors found themselves in that position. Two of my forebears were involved in well-documented, scandalous liaisons, but my knowledge of my family history is sketchy at best. Kit was thoroughly versed in the family’s history and lineage. He paid attention. My father made sure of that. My mother made sure of that. It was all part of Kit’s duties as heir. He knew that keeping the earldom intact meant everything to our family.
But he’s no longer here.
Fuck. Why didn’t I pay attention?
The bath is full, and I wander back into the bedroom, feeling a little despondent. But the sight of Alessia staring at the ceiling lifts my spirits.
My daily.
Her expression is completely unreadable. She turns and sees me and immediately shuts her eyes.
What?
Oh, I’m naked.
I want to laugh but decide that it’s probably not a good idea, so I lean against the doorframe, cross my arms, and patiently wait for her to open her eyes again.
After a few moments, she pulls the bedding over her nose and peeps above it, with only one eye open.
I grin. “Take a good look.” I spread my arms wide.
She blinks, and her eyes shine with a combination of embarrassment, amusement, curiosity, and, I think, a little admiration. She giggles and pulls the covers over her head. “You are teasing me.” Her voice is muffled.
“Yes, I am.” Unable to contain myself, I saunter to the bed, and her knuckles whiten as she tightens her hold on the quilt. I lean over and brush her fingers with my lips. “Let go,” I whisper, and I’m surprised when she does. I whisk off the bedding, and she squeals, but I scoop her up into my arms and stand tall. “Now we’re both naked,” I say as I nuzzle her ear. She folds her arms around my neck, and I carry her, giggling, into the bathroom and set her down beside the tub. Immediately she covers her breasts.