Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
“What happened to needing your own career and identity?”
“I don’t know why this can’t be that, too. And as far as needing to completely free myself of your coattails, I think we’ve been there, done that. I’m done feeling like I have something to prove because you’re more experienced and filthy rich. And I don’t care if people think I slept my way to the top anymore. I think my insecurity over those things allowed Ri to break us up. I won’t make that mistake again.”
His hands come down on my arms, his lashes lowering, expression tightening before he opens his eyes and fixes me in a tormented stare. “‘I won’t let you,” he promises, his voice roughened by emotions, raw torment radiating off this brilliant, talented, good man because of me.
“Grayson—”
I never finish that sentence. He picks me up, throws me over his shoulder, and starts walking.
Chapter forty-nine
Mia
Once we’re in the bedroom, Grayson sets me down at the foot of the bed, and his hand slides under my hair, his palm hot on my neck. “Next time you run,” he promises, his voice vibrating with emotion, “I swear to God, woman, you won’t run fast enough. Next time, I will catch you and I will bring you home and tie you to our bed.” His hand sweeps down my spine and my sex clenches, nipples puckering, this game of dominance he plays one I know well. It’s about control, about those times in his life when the pressure of being Grayson Bennett pushes his buttons. In this case, when I’ve pushed his buttons.
“Then what would you do to me?” I challenge, sounding breathless, feeling breathless. “Because if you’re going to tie me up, you can’t just leave me there unattended.”
His lips curve, his beautiful lips that can be both gentle and oh so punishing. “We both know I wouldn’t leave you there.” Oh yes, we do, I think, my only thought before his lips come down on my lips, a dark demand in the slide of his tongue that follows. I know this side of Grayson, and I know right now is not all that, unlike earlier this morning. This is all about burning fast, wicked, hot demand. He owns me right now, and I don’t fight that need in him. I think—I think it’s what I need, too.
He proceeds to strip us both naked, turn me over, and slide a finger along my sex, testing my readiness before he gives my backside a smack. I arch into the touch, and he drives into me. He fucks me then—rough, dirty, and an edge of urgency in every thrust of his hips that ends with us on our backs, staring at the ceiling, panting out breaths. At the same moment, we turn to face each other and my fingers curl on his jaw. “You’re still angry.”
“Not at you, baby.” He kisses me, then pushes off the bed, bringing me a towel, and then grabs his pants, clearly avoiding this conversation.
I sit up, but I make no attempt to dress. My clothes are the least of my worries right now. I scoot to the edge of the bed and study him, only slightly distracted by his perfect abs. “Grayson,” I say softly. He pulls his T-shirt over his head, his green eyes meeting mine for a piercing second before he answers my unspoken question.
“I’m fine, Mia.” He sits down next to me and pulls on his boots.
“‘Fine’ is a word women define as ‘not fine.’ You know that, right?”
He stands and takes me with him.
“I’m fine,” he repeats. “I promise. It’s you that I’m worried about.”
“I’m fine.”
“So fine is okay if it’s you, but not if it’s me?”
“I really am fine.”
“And it’s my job as your future husband to make sure you stay that way. Get dressed. I want to take you to eat and make another little stop before we head to the airport.”
“I thought Walker was sending men to pick us up?”
“We’ll meet them at the airport.” He cups my face and then gives my naked body a once over. “You’re beautiful.” He kisses me. “Now get dressed. I need to make a phone call.” He heads to the doorway and just when he would disappear, I call out.
“Wait.”
He turns and glances back at me.
“Do you know why I’m really fine right now?”
“Why?”
“Because I woke up with you. Because I’m marrying you. And because today, we’ve had two chances to get pregnant with our first child.”
His expression softens instantly, and he’s back across the room, enclosing me in his arms, molding me close. And even better, he’s smiling. “You know why I’m fine?”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to be my wife and the mother of my children. And because the very fact that you might be pregnant is a good reason to rush the wedding. Now, get dressed.”