Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
I shake my head. “We're a family—me, Clint, and Maverick. We're not a blood family, but we're as good as any. We want to stay that way.”
Her eyes widen even further.
“Now, you're a part of it.”
I let go of her wrist and reach out to cup her cheek. Her skin is soft and warm, peachy with a light dusting of freckles. Her lids drop at the contact, and my eyes zero in on her slightly parted lips. I wasn't sure how far and fast to push her, but maybe she's more comfortable with me than I thought. Or maybe she's more comfortable about giving into my needs than I anticipated.
I brush her bottom lip with my thumb, and she cools my skin with a quick inhalation. She seems to teeter, and her hand flies up and presses into my chest as she seeks stability. I place the mug of hot coffee on the counter and lean in to kiss her mouth with as much gentleness as I can muster.
It takes a lot to hold back the powerful urge I have to claim her. In a heartbeat, I could lift her off her feet and carry her up the stairs. I could tear her clothes from her sweet body and explore and taste every inch of her. I could fill her, but I need confirmation it's what she wants.
Her breathy moan as I pull away, and the curl of her fingers to grip my shirt, tells me all I need to know.
She's ready.
She wants this.
And I'm going to eat her up.
“Hold that thought,” I say gruffly, already imagining peeling her out of her frumpy outfit and destroying her. “When the timer goes off, and those muffins are safely out of the oven, it's on. I'm going to take you upstairs and show you what it means to be my woman.”
She nods, but there's a flicker of fear in her eyes as I take a step back, needing to put some distance between us before I risk burning the house down for another kiss that'll end in me carrying Taylor to my bedroom.
The minutes it will take for the muffins to bake are minutes she can sort through her thoughts. When I go back into the kitchen, I'll ask for her confirmation. There will be no doubt either way.
I have some paperwork to deal with, so I head to the backroom, where my desk is positioned looking out over the yard. I can barely concentrate on what I'm doing, and my ears strain for the ring of the timer. Between my legs, my cock is semi-hard in anticipation but a little delayed gratification never did a man any harm.
I'm filing the last of my paperwork when the noise I've been waiting for travels from the kitchen.
It's time.
I find Taylor placing the cooked muffins on a wooden board to cool. The warm cinnamon, vanilla, and berry scents are enough to get my taste buds going again, but what I really want to put my mouth on is Taylor.
She hears my footsteps and turns, facing me with parted lips and flushed cheeks. I cup her jaw and lean in close. Her pulse thrums against my hand, a nervous pounding that sends a shiver up my spine.
“Can I take you upstairs?” I ask.
Without hesitation, she answers, “Yes.”
When I scoop her into my arms, she grabs my shoulders for stability, but she's safe in my embrace. Safe until I decide otherwise. I climb the stairs fast, like a firefighter on his way to a rescue. I take her into my room and lay her on my bed, kissing her mouth as I run my hand under her shirt, finding the soft, warm skin of her rounded breasts.
She moans, grabbing onto my shoulder, her hands moving over my flanks until they rest on my ass.
I silently curse at her perfection and my desperation to explore. Finding myself losing control isn't where I like to be. I'm forty, so nothing should feel this burning and new. I've had more than my fair share of women. I even loved some of them. But the urge to fill Taylor with my dick and my child is primal. My desire to hear the happy sounds of children in this house is so deep I’m crazy with it.
My desire to claim this woman so that she knows running isn't an option makes my hands tremble.
“Taylor.” I murmur her name against her neck, and she sighs as my erection presses against the apex of her thighs. “This is okay?”
She nods, and I kiss her deeply, wondering about her acceptance of this strange arrangement we've brought her into. She's gone from being single to married to having three lovers without any objection. She's willing to take us all despite our differing looks and ages. I'm old enough to be her daddy, but her hips are shifting against me, seeking friction. I know I can take care of her in a way that no boy her age could. I know she’s safe with me, and I want to show her.