Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
He found himself surrounded by her warm body, soft curves and the fragrance of the generic shampoo and soap in the shower. Her bland scent did nothing to calm his desire or arousal because he’d already inhaled her strawberry scent when he’d carried her to bed last night. The sweet smell lingered in his memory and his body reacted to everything about her, his cock growing harder.
She didn’t let go and he reached up, gripping her wrists with every intention of unwinding her limbs from around his neck. Anything to create distance between them before he did something he would regret.
Taking his cue, her arms drifted to her sides, but she didn’t step back. Oh, no. Not the woman who had trouble written all over her. Instead, she tilted her head and met his gaze. Her emerald eyes glittered like precious jewels, a combination of desire and naughtiness in her expression. “You try really hard to hide it but you’re a nice guy, Maddox. Thank you.”
His name on her lips was his undoing. He took in her half-lidded gaze and natural, pink puckered mouth and when she rose on to her tiptoes, he shoved all rational thought aside and dipped his head to steal a taste. She was all in, her kiss eager but inexperienced, solidifying the innocence he’d sensed from the minute he’d laid eyes on her. Instead of being a turn-off, it only made him want her more.
He slid his tongue further into her mouth and she met him with a greedy passion he wouldn’t have thought her capable of. And fuck, she tasted good, like strawberry cream cheese and coffee, and everything sweet. He wasn’t used to sweet and wanted more. Gripping the back of her neck, he held her in place, devouring her mouth.
Her little moans were hot and when she began to press her body into his, he was shocked he didn’t come in his pants. He’d never had such an explosive first kiss. On that thought, reality came back with a jarring thud.
He lifted his head and took a step back, needing the distance. He ended things before he said screw it, laid her out on the kitchen table and made a feast of her sweet body. She blinked up at him, her dark lashes fluttering over her eyes and he held onto her forearms, making certain she was steady on her feet.
“This was a bad idea,” he said, releasing her.
“What was?” Her tongue swiped over her damp lower lip and he stifled a groan.
“Us. This. You and me.” He gestured back and forth between them. “If you’re going to stay here, it’s hands off.”
“Lips too?” she asked.
There was no need for a reply, so he pinned her with his gaze until she looked away, then folded her arms across her chest in a protective measure. She still pulled in deep inhales, attempting to catch her breath from their kiss. And the flush in her cheeks could have been from arousal but he had a feeling she was also embarrassed he’d pushed her away.
Dammit. He felt bad but even if she wasn’t going to be his houseguest, they couldn’t get involved.
“Why does it have to be hands off?” she asked, surprising him.
She was pushy. Brave. And he admired those qualities. “For many reasons, not the least of which is I’m ten years older than you.”
For another, she could grow bored of him and his minimalistic lifestyle compared to the wealth she’d grown up with. And though she might not want Preston the douche, he had no doubt she would want marriage, kids, and everything he’d decided against after his relationship with Felicia went up in flames. Gabby didn’t need someone who had a decade of life experience on her, and who’d walked away from the wealth she’d grown up with and no doubt would go back to. Eventually.
She pursed her lips and stopped arguing or asking questions.
Both things put him on edge. One thing he’d already learned, she didn’t give up easily. “So we’re on the same page? This…we…aren’t happening?” He needed her to agree.
“Fine.” Her lips pursed but she remained silent.
He narrowed his gaze, waiting for another argument. When he didn’t get one, he let out a relieved breath. “Good. Get ready. We’ll go to the bar and you can drive your car back here.”
She treated him to a salute.
Smart ass, he thought, unable to hold back a grin.
She paused by the table and began to clean up her breakfast, putting the food back in the fridge, and washing her dish and coffee mug in the sink. He had no doubt she’d grown up with help so this display impressed him. Felicia had always left hers in the sink for him to clean.
Without a word, Gabby strode out of the kitchen, leaving him to watch her hips sway as she made her exit and causing him to wonder how that ass would fit in in his palms.