Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
There was only so much he could reveal at one time. Especially about a past he rarely talked about and had never told a woman in his life.
“Okay,” she said softly. “We can change the subject.”
“I’ll tell you about my parents. I want to.” He wouldn’t mind getting the words out and maybe cut into the occasional nightmare that still plagued him.
She moved closer and took his hand. “I’m listening.” She held on and didn’t let go.
“The fights were ugly. It never turned physical but it was always bad. The best I could hope for was that they held their anger until they were home but there were many times the other parents on the bleachers got a show.”
She winced. “I’m so sorry. I thought praying my dad would make it to events and having him always be a no-show was bad.”
He clocked that bit of information to discuss with her another time. As much as she wanted to know him, he had the same desire to dig deeper into what and who had created Samantha. The woman who intrigued him on a deeper level than any had before.
“There’s no point in comparing sucky childhoods. We both had our own trauma.”
“Okay, so go on.”
She still held his hand and he didn’t want her to let go. “The night they died, I had a babysitter over. A college girl who often watched me when they went out. It felt late when the police knocked on the door. I’m sure you can imagine the rest.”
“Oh, Dex. I’m so sorry. Is that the dream? About finding out?”
He shook his head. “The dream is what I overheard one of the officers tell Alex, my dad now. A witness saw my mother reach for the steering wheel before my father lost control. In other words, they were having one of their arguments.” His voice sounded hoarse as he explained. “I—”
“Dex,” she said, cutting him off. “I didn’t think asking about your last name would lead to you reliving a nightmare. I’m sorry. You don’t have to continue.” She squeezed his hand tighter and he was grateful for her empathy.
“It’s fine. I suddenly feel the need to share this with you.”
“Okay,” she whispered. “I’m here.” She cuddled in closer and when he breathed in, her warm, familiar scent eased his tension.
He covered her hand with his free one. “The fight, at least in the dream, is about me. I just hear my father yell my name, my mother screams something back and grabs for the wheel. Then the sound of grating, crashing metal… And I wake up.” In a sweat, shaking. The way he felt now, revealing the rawest part of himself.
She rose to her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Dex, I’m so sorry. That’s a burden no child should have to live with. I’m not surprised it haunts you as an adult.”
“It doesn’t happen often anymore.” He embraced her, drawing comfort that quickly turned to something more. The heat of her body pressed against his and the warmth of her breath against his cheek was more than he could take after thinking of her nonstop since leaving the Bahamas.
She lifted her head and met his gaze. Her lips parted. And he waited, giving her time to pull back. But Samantha knew her mind. She placed her palms against his cheeks, leaned in, and pressed her lips to his.
Fireworks exploded between them and Dex took control, shifting positions so he could ease her down onto the sofa, his body hovering over hers.
He kissed her thoroughly, his tongue delving into her mouth, then trailing his lips over her jawbone and continuing down her neck, nipping at her lightly before reaching the barrier of her heavy sweatshirt collar. She reached for the hem and pulled the bulky garment over her head, leaving her exposed. And braless. Damn. Good thing he hadn’t known she’d been bare beneath it.
Her dusky nipples had hardened into tight peaks and the desire to taste her was strong. After waiting so long, knowing he had free rein over her body was heady. He slid his hands up her silky skin, along her sides, and pulled a nipple into his mouth, tasting and tormenting it with his tongue and teeth.
Cupping the other breast in his hand, he gave it equal attention and she moaned her approval, wrapping her legs around his. Their bodies ground together, pleasure and pain a mix because holding back wasn’t easy. His cock was hard, the need to feel her pulse around his dick strong so he pushed himself off her and rose to his feet.
He stripped off his clothes in a rush. Once naked, he turned to focus on Samantha, assuming she’d done the same. She still had her bottoms on but her eyes were dark and dilated, her stare focused on him.