Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
I wiggle beneath him, finding the right angle to use to flip him onto his back. I throw my arms up in victory as I look down at him with a wicked grin. He chuckles, reaching for my waist.
“And I still got it, so what are you saying?”
“I miss this.” He chuckles again.
“Yeah, I—”
I cut myself off and climb from straddling him. It’s days like this that have made it too easy to fall into the safety net he has offered. Yes, we used to horse around all the time. It was one of the things I loved about him. His playful side.
Brodi can go from teasing and playful to a complete dom at the drop of a hat. I don’t want to remember where our harmless play used to lead. I won’t let lust make my decisions for me.
“It’s okay to be us,” he says while watching me retreat.
“There are some parts of us I’m still not ready for.”
“Are you ready for me to work those kinks out of your shoulders? You were painting all day,” he says.
I turn to look at him. The candlelight dancing in his eyes takes me somewhere. As hard as I try not to remember the past, it hits me.
“Brodi.” I giggled as my back hit the couch in his apartment.
He hovered over me as the light from the fireplace and candles danced in his eyes. They were full of so much love and playfulness. I reached up to cup his cheek.
“I love you,” I said, causing his eyes to darken with lust.
“I love you too, baby,” he said. “Do you trust me, Cee?”
“What kind of question is that?” I scoffed.
I trusted him with my life. I had no doubts that he would do everything in his power to keep me safe. This was Brodi, my Brodi. He cherished me.
I still couldn’t believe he forgave me for lying to him. I knew we were meant to be together. Yes, he had my trust.
“I need all of your trust for this,” he said. “If you think you’re not ready, I need you to tell me.”
I drew my brows in as I looked at him. We had sex already. It was amazing. Every time he touched me, I felt like I came to life.
“Ready for what?”
“The real me,” he said with a sexy, dark look in his eyes.
“I’m ready,” I breathed on blind faith.
“You’re thinking about it. The first time we played.” The sound of Brodi’s voice brings me back to the present.
“What?”
“I can see it in your body,” he says, his eyes training on my nipples.
Goose bumps cover my thighs as his gaze slides down my body. He has always had the power to touch me without touching me.
“Are you ready?” he says when I don’t reply.
I blink as those words threaten to throw me back in time. Silently, I turn onto my stomach and take the easy way out. Or at least, I think it’s the easy way until his warm oil-covered hands touch my skin.
* * *
Gregor
Ten minutes. It takes ten minutes for her body to relax under my touch. Each minute has been like a dagger to the heart. Yet, I haven’t stopped.
I refuse to give up, even if this is just a simple task. I push through, showing I’m here to work for what I know is mine. It’s torture to be this close, yet so far, but I endure it.
“Hold on,” she says softly.
I pause, pulling my hands from under her tank top. She sits up, tugging off her shirt and returns to lying on the bed.
I close my eyes to compose myself. I’m crazy about the freckles that fan across her back on that smooth honey-brown skin. I used to spend hours tracing them with my tongue. What I’d give to have that freedom now.
“Are you okay?”
I open my eyes to find her staring back at me. I nod silently, working my jaw. Reaching for the oil on the bedside table, I pour some more into my palms.
“How is your sister?” I blurt out, searching for a distraction.
I curse under my breath as she stiffens again. I know what she’s thinking. I should know how her sister is doing. Clay and I are taking care of her situation as far as Chloe is concerned.
“I mean, tell me about her. She had big dreams when you last told me about her. I want to know more about her. I know how much she means to you,” I say.
“She’s Ally. Super talented, funny, tough, loving,” she replies.
“Just like her big sister.” I chuckle.
“Not sure about that.”
“I am. I still have that painting you did for me. As soon as I could afford it, I got it out of storage. It comes with me everywhere I go,” I say as I think of the painting hanging in my office.