Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 88(@300wpm)
He glances at the other side of the bed and then gives the slightest nod, indicating that he’ll stay with me.
Instantly, some of my anxiety fades as I realize he’s not leaving me alone. He kicks off his muddy socks, and that’s when I see he went outside without shoes. He grabbed the umbrella, thinking only of my comfort and not his own.
He lies down beside me, his posture is ramrod straight. I wonder if he ever relaxes or if he’s constantly on edge. His voice is a quiet rumble, a gentle contrast to the raging thunderstorm that pounds against the walls of his cabin. “Have you always been scared of the dark or is this new?”
“Since I was little.” I wish I were brave. I wish I could shrug all my fears away, casting them off like a heavy cloak.
His hand finds mine, and he gives my fingers a gentle squeeze. “You can tell me.”
“It’s not like deep-seated trauma. In fact, it’s a pretty boring story.” I manage a laugh. “When I was younger, my parents would leave my older brother to babysit me. He was a teenage boy, and he didn’t want to get stuck looking out for his little sister. He’d go to his girlfriend’s house and leave me at home locked in the closet.”
Roman swears at my admission.
“I never really liked the dark because of that, but then one night, he forgot to come home. I think…maybe it’s not the dark. Maybe it’s the fear of being forgotten.”
I don’t even realize a tear has slipped down my cheek until Roman is thumbing it away. I’ve felt forgotten for years now. Forgotten by my brother who barely looks out for me. Forgotten by my parents who died and left me behind.
“My truck isn’t a family heirloom,” Roman says, cupping my face. “I traded a state-of-the-art machine for that piece of shit so I’d have an excuse to be near you. I see you, kitten. I know how lost and overlooked you feel. I’m right here, watching over you from the shadows.”
I swallow hard, sensing how much it must have cost him to admit all of that. Roman is a man with a lot of pride. “Sometimes, I feel like you don’t like me. You do sweet things but then you barely talk to me.”
“I’m never going to be the guy writing you poems or saying that sappy greeting card shit. That’s not my way.” His words almost sound like he’s trying to warn me away.
“I don’t need that,” I tell him, and I mean it. Knowing that he has a crush on me is enough for now.
“Then no more pretending this is a secret and sneaking into my place. You stay here now,” he says it with so much authority, as if he’s a king who’s made a royal decree.
“Seems like the sort of thing we should seal with a kiss.” My cheeks heat as soon as I say the words, and I wonder if he can feel the warmth against his palm.
Roman leans in and brushes his lips against mine. The kiss is gentle and soft, in direct contrast to the man who’s holding me. He’s touching me like I’m something precious. Someone that means something to him. Maybe he’ll never feel for me all the things I feel for him. Maybe he’ll never love me, but he’s here and he’s willing to hold me in all the ways I need.
I resist the urge to pull on his dress shirt and plaster our bodies together. I want to feel every inch of this man’s naked skin against mine.
When he lifts his head, Roman’s eyes are dark. They’re filled with a hunger that I’ve awakened in him, and the realization makes me feel powerful.
He rolls over me and calls my name in a pained groan. “Need to taste you everywhere.”
I think about all those dirty dreams I had about Roman and all those times I fantasized about him at work. From the spicy smell to the solid weight of his body over mine, it’s all coming true.
He nuzzles my neck and whispers something against my skin.
I angle my head to give him more access, falling into the bliss of the moment. I feel like I should be doing something with my hands but I’m not sure what. This is my first time, and I don’t know how he likes to be touched. He’s probably been with dozens of women. Women that knew how to touch a man as experienced as Roman is.
The thoughts circle in my head, jesters laughing at me for my inexperience.
He keeps nuzzling my neck, working his lips down until he’s tugging down my top and pressing kisses to the swells of my breasts. His gentle nips and licks feel amazing, and I close my eyes, savoring this with him.