Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“I could get used to this,” she says, leaning back and drinking lemonade as she watches me work.
“Glad to hear it. Because you’re going to have to.” I give her a serious look, but she just laughs it off.
“You keep saying you’re going to keep me. Should I be afraid you’re telling the truth?”
I put the last of the dishes in the cabinet and walk over to where she’s sitting. I move slowly so she sees what I’m doing, and push her knees apart. Taking a step in between them, I pull her ass to the edge of the counter, making her let out a little squeak.
Her hands go to my shoulders, and a laugh leaves her lips.
“I love hearing that sound.”
I grasp her waist, and at this height we’re about eye level. I stand there for just a moment, marveling at her beauty and thinking about what she’d look like with her dark curls spread out over my bed.
“What have I done coming here like this?” she whispers. It’s like she’s talking to herself, but I answer anyway.
“You’ve come here and opened my eyes for the first time in my life. Don’t make me close them again.”
With that, my lips land on hers, and we stay that way, kissing in the kitchen until the crickets tell us it’s time for bed. I carry her to her room and summon all the strength inside me to leave her there and say goodnight.
After I close her door, I press my forehead to it, willing my body to walk away while my heart stays put. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but knowing when I wake up she’ll be here gives me hope.
9
Mary-Jane
I wake to a warm body melded around me, and a face buried in my neck. Ty’s slow, even breathing lets me know he’s still asleep. His earthy smell wraps around me, and I find myself pushing into him further, soaking up the comfort of him.
I can’t remember a time when I’ve lain in a bed and been cuddled. I should be mad that he snuck into my room, but I was sad when we parted last night. I’d wanted to lie down in bed with him, to fall asleep in his arms. Yesterday was more perfect than I could have imagined. The change in him was crazy, and I still don’t know what to make of it. He’d still seemed grumpy with others, but not with me. I oddly like that only I get that side of him. His words are always soft and low when he talks to me. Almost like I’m something precious he could startle. He’s handling me with care to avoid spooking me.
I’m falling for him and I’m not sure I can stop it. I can still feel his lips against mine. After I’d gotten out of the shower last night, I’d stared in the mirror for a long moment.
My lips were still swollen from his kisses, my belly was swollen with his child, and I looked how I’d always dreamed—happy after finding a man who loved me and excited to create a family with him. But it isn’t real. I have to be careful not to get carried away. Things haven’t gone as planned, and I’m scared to pop this little bubble. I’m wondering how things will change when Ty finds out. I wonder if he even wants children. He’s already spent a good chunk of his life helping raise his brothers and sister. His sister is barely out of the house, and to have a baby dropped on him might be an unwelcome shock.
I feel his lips start to move against my neck. The stubble on his face brushes against my skin, making goosebumps break out all over my body. The softness of his lips paired with the roughness of his beard feels perfect. Even his kisses are like him. First you feel his roughness, then the softness he hides in there comes out. He lazily presses his kisses against my neck. I tilt my head a little bit, wanting him to keep doing what he’s doing. Wanting those kisses everywhere.
“I could wake up like this every morning,” he mumbles, and I just let out a little moan. I feel him smile against me. “Sorry, I tried to stay away. I don’t know why, but I just can’t seem to.”
I feel one of his hands start to rise up my thigh, his rough palm feeling good against my skin. My legs part just a little of their own accord. He takes the opening to slide between my thighs, cupping me. I gasp at the contact and my body comes awake. Any remaining sleepiness is washed away as I feel my pulse start to pick up.
My hips rise, wanting what he’s doing. His finger drifts back and forth, slowly teasing me, and I hear myself whimper.