Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63100 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“The others will be just as beautiful,” he says after a long time.
“I’ll memorize them too,” I whisper just before I fall asleep.
Chapter 12
Austin
I leave the bed, looking once more at Lea before forcing my feet to take me away from her. I know I will never forget the way she looks right now, lying on her stomach with the sheet draped over her ass, her breasts pressed into the mattress, her beautiful face soft in sleep. I woke her up twice more last night, took her the first time gently, but the second time, I lost it, taking her hard and fast until we were both out of breath and covered in sweat.
Looking at her now, I crave her taste on my tongue. I want to spread her legs and wake her up with my mouth, but she needs sleep, so instead of doing what I want, I pick up my jeans off the floor, pull them on, and then make my way out of the room, closing the door softly behind me before heading down the stairs.
Going to the kitchen, I turn on the coffeepot I had set up last night and pull down a mug, placing it under the stream of coffee until it’s full then replacing it with the pot.
Stepping into the living room, I take a drink from my cup and look out the large window at the view beyond. I loved this house before I ever saw the inside because of the way Lea’s face had lit up when she spoke about it, and then I saw it for myself standing in this exact spot and knew I would buy it. I felt connected to Lea looking out at the water, knowing it was somewhere she had been, a view she loved. I swear half the things I did in my life were built around her; I just never admitted it to myself. It was like I was building a life for us, while waiting for her to come back to me.
Moving from the window, I head to the deck, grabbing my phone on my way. Taking a seat on one of the loungers, I set my cup down on the railing and press send on my phone.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hey, Mom,” I greet, leaning forward and grabbing my mug.
“Bre, Shawn, and the babies are going to come with us to Cordova.”
“Mom,” I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Lea’s worried about dinner with you and Dad, and now you’re bringing Bre, who you and I both know has a hard time holding her tongue in the best situations.”
“Your sister misses you, and you haven’t met your new nephew,” she counters.
“I need you guys to step back. I love you guys, but this is something I won’t budge on.”
“You’re in love with her,” she states.
“She’s still Lea; she’s still the woman I fell in love with fifteen years ago,” I explain quietly, hoping the words sink in. I know my mom means well, but she can be overbearing and intimidating when she wants to be.
“I’m worried about you,” she says softly, like she’s finally getting how serious I am.
“I know you are, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t have my own concerns, but if I get my way, Mom, Lea will be the mother of your grandchildren. I need you to understand that before you and Bre come here and tag-team her. She just lost her mom. She doesn’t have anyone.”
“Austin—”
“I gotta go. Love you guys. See you Saturday.” I hang up before she can say anything else then sit back in the chair, wondering if I should tell Lea to skip dinner.
“Hey,” Lea’s soft voice pulls my attention away from the ocean as I look at the sliding door, where she is standing in her bare feet, wearing my thermal.
“C’mere.” I hold my hand out in her direction then pull her down into my lap, rubbing my hand up her bare thigh. “You sleep okay?” Her smile against my bare chest and her mumbled, “Yes,” does something to my heart, causing it to beat harder. “Bre, Shawn, and the kids are coming with Mom and Dad.”
“Great,” she says as I pull her shirt up her side, resting my hand on the underside of her breast, needing to feel her skin and hating that her body has drawn tight.
“Do you trust me?” I ask.
“Yes.”
Her whispered confession and her body relaxing against mine fills me with satisfaction. “Then you should know that I would never allow anyone to harm you, physically or otherwise.”
“I know.”
“Good.” I press my nose into her neck, loving that she smells like vanilla and me.
“I need a shower.” She tilts her head to the side, giving me better access to her neck, where I nip her, groaning.
“You smell good, but a shower sounds like a good idea.” Kissing her neck once more, I lift her off me pulling her inside to the shower, where we spend the next hour until were both satisfied, me more than her, because I leave the shower with her taste on my tongue.