Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Make love.
I want to make love to you.
I lick my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. With a racing pulse I nod. “I want that, too.”
I don’t care that he isn’t my husband. I don’t care that we haven’t taken vows. I could pledge myself to a lifetime of perfection and misery, or I could… I could live.
The boat gently rocks as he stands, my legs wrapped around his waist and his hands under my butt. I’m scared and excited and so pent up I could cry.
“Heart check. Talk to me, Eden.”
I know if I told him to stop right now, he would. I know if I ask him to take me back to the club, he would. And then I’d never know… never know what it’s like to make love to a man I love.
“I’m scared,” I tell him honestly.
“Scared that it will hurt?” His brows furrow.
I shake my head. “No. Scared that it… won’t.”
“Eden.”
Scared that my husband will find out. Scared that there will be hell to pay. Scared that I’m making a decision I can’t ever take back, and that I’ll regret this.
Scared of not really ever living my life.
We’re in a large, stately room with a skylight so open it feels as if the room’s embedded in a star-studded navy curtain of a night sky. He frames my face in his hands. “You’re safe with me, Eden. And I’ll admit the truth to you. I’m scared, too,” he says, so honest I’m surprised. The most dangerous man I’ve ever met is scared?
“Scared of what?” I ask, as he lays me down on the bed. I hold his gaze while he begins to undress me.
I reach out to cup the side of his face. “Scared that I’ll lose you. Scared that you’ll find out who I really am and never want to see me again.” He swallows. “Scared I don’t deserve someone like you.”
“I once read that fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.” I lick my lips and swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. I’ve never been so afraid in my life, even when I left the fellowship. “I’ve looked so long for the truth, Sergio. And now… I’ve found it. You’re my truth.”
“Baby,” he says vehemently, his voice shaky. “I don’t deserve a woman like you, but I’ll spend the rest of my life striving to be the man you deserve.”
My heart swells. When he bends his mouth to mine, I let go of the last bit of uncertainty. I close my eyes and I release myself to him.
My clothes fall to the floor like scattered petals as he peels them away with utter reverence, kissing my bare skin as each garment flutters to the floor. With every kiss and caress, my body grows hotter, teeming with need, my pulse aching between my thighs.
I watch as he undresses himself with rapid, impatient tugs. Moonlight glints on his skin. He’s every bit as handsome and masculine and stunning as I suspected he would be—suntanned skin and corded muscle, with broad, defined shoulders. I let my gaze roam lazily over his flat stomach and the fine line of dark hair that runs lower still.
“I want to taste you.”
I stare at him, abashed. “I’m not a virgin,” I say tentatively. “But I… I’m not sure what that means.”
He grins, actually grins. It’s so rare to see an unreserved smile that splits his face wide open, I grin back at him before he sobers.
“I don’t care about that, Eden. Your past and mine are behind us now. All that matters is right here, right now.” His gaze darkens. “Put your hands behind your head and keep them there.”
Trembling, I obey. I feel so exposed, but when he looks at me, I know he likes what he sees. I’m not ashamed of being naked before him as I thought I’d be. It feels… natural. Right.
“You’re such a good girl. Look at how well you obey me. It pleases me very much.”
I smile at him, basking in the warmth of his praise as he lets his gaze roam over my body. “Thank you.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I bite my lip and swallow against rising emotion. I open my mouth to thank him when he reaches for my knees and spreads them apart. I choke on my words and can’t speak. My breathing grows rapid, and I know now why he commanded me to put my hands behind my head—I want to reach for him. I want to reach for the blanket and cover myself up. I want to push my knees together and hide myself from him. But he won’t let me.
He holds my gaze as he lowers himself to the floor and kneels in front of me. Hoooooo boy. My heart beats so rapidly I’m dizzy.