Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
I lifted her shirt off, and she worked mine from my pants. I was caught up in the moment and wondered why she stopped. “What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”
“What is this?”
I realized her hand was on the box stuffed into my pocket. Fuck. This wasn’t supposed to happen this way.
“I wanted to wait to give this to you, but now works.” I slipped my shirt over my head and pulled the robin egg blue box out of my slacks. Elyse stared at it and then into my eyes.
“It’s not what you think… yet,” I said.
“I know that color box.”
“Okay, it might be where you think, but not what. Here. I want you to see it.” I held it out to her, and she took a slow breath before taking it and stroking the soft white ribbon.
“I never thought I’d see anything from Tiffany’s in my life,” Elyse laughed. “My family has money, but Dad would never think of this.” Elyse opened it and gasped as she pressed her hand to her mouth. “Oh. God. This is gorgeous.”
She trembled as she tried to remove the necklace from the insert, and I offered my help. The chain was delicate, and I loosened it gently before gazing at the shimmering half-moon that dangled against my hand.
“It made me think of you. You’re this bright light in my sky, Elyse. I’ve noticed how beautiful you look in the light from the moon a few times and… this called to me.” It was hard to explain myself in this moment, which caught me by surprise.
“You just went into the store?” Her voice sounded surprised.
“Well, after I got the flowers.”
She groaned and rested her head against my bare chest. “I don’t think we should put this on until I finish thanking you.” Elyse looked up at me, then down at the necklace with a wicked grin.
“How are you going to thank me?” I teased her. We set the necklace down on the table behind the couch, and she proceeded to take her time pleasing me, ending with her body on top of mine as she rode my cock.
We dropped to the couch cushions as she sucked in her breath, and I kissed her neck gently as she slipped her arms around me. “We didn’t even make it to bed.”
“There’s plenty of time for that,” I assured her as I breathed in her sweet scent. “I love you, Elyse.”
“I love you. Thank you for everything today.” Her voice was soft as she leaned into me, her hands brushing over my skin. Never had a woman’s touch affected me like this. I’d been with many, but they broke down into moments that I now barely remembered. Elyse’s touch brought me back to life again.
We drank something cold once we recovered. Elyse looked at the necklace again as she sipped her wine, smiling widely. “You deserve a lot more than a necklace and flowers, love. I plan to show you that.”
“I’m happy just being with you. The money and your notoriety aren’t the reason I fell for you in the first place. I think it’s hot that you play hockey and everything, but it’s not what I like best about you.”
“What do you like best? The incredible sex?” I teased, and she laughed out loud.
“The accent during said sex.”
I laughed with her, and we finished our drinks before making our way into the bedroom. I had a morning skate and game the following day that she planned to attend with Tori, so we woke up in time to eat breakfast and coffee. I dropped her off at her place on the way to the rink, and she kissed me before darting up to her door. I knew she didn’t work today and would probably nap since we didn’t sleep much last night.
Chapter 18
ELYSE
A PHONE CALL WOKE me up from a nap, and I groaned as I stretched. I reached to the other side of the bed and glanced at the screen to see Tori’s face lighting up my room.
“What?” I said.
“Someone is grumpy. Are you tired?” she teased as I closed my eyes.
“I was napping. You woke me. Anyway, what’s up?” I murmured as I turned to my side.
“I got a lead about another art gallery that wants to meet with us today.” My eyes shot open. “They’ve seen your portfolio and love your work. They want to talk numbers.”
“How did they see it?”
“It was a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend thing. I wasn’t sure if it would go anywhere,” she giggled. “I was going to pick you up around three. Will that work?”
“Is it unprofessional to wear a jersey there?” I asked, remembering the shirt that Ryder gave me.
“You might want to wear something else to the gallery and change into the shirt later. This is something like an interview.” Tori was laughing, and I broke down and joined in.