Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
There’s an unexpected level of intimacy when you’re inside another person without the thinnest layer of latex to separate you.
And part of me fucking loves it.
Revels in the softness that surrounds me.
It feels fitting that the first time I have sex without a condom should be with her.
When Carina’s inner muscles contract and a low moan slides from her lips, it breaks the last of my self-control and I come even harder than I did last night. The sweet sounds that fill the air only spur on my own release.
We couldn’t be more in sync with one another if we tried.
Just like going without a condom, it’s not something I’ve ever experienced before.
We ride the wave until every last shudder has been wrung from both of our bodies. My muscles loosen and it feels like I’ve just finished a two-hour practice. My heart is on the verge of exploding from my chest.
Instead of pulling out and rolling over, thinking about ways to extract myself from the situation, I rest my forehead against hers and stare deep into her eyes, searching for signs of regret.
It’s a relief when I don’t find anything other than the fading remnants of pleasure. I have the feeling that the same sentiment is echoed in my eyes as well.
That’s the moment I realize fucking her once or twice will never be enough to satiate the deep well of need that lives inside me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Carina
I glance down at my phone and scroll through a few messages as the elevator doors slide open. I just got home from teaching two back-to-back dance classes at the studio. Those little five- and six-year-olds are seriously adorable. Especially with their tap shoes.
As soon as I step into the hallway, the sound of male voices greets my ears, and my gaze fastens onto Ford’s golden depths. That’s all it takes for the air to get knocked from my lungs as an avalanche of shivers cascade down my spine.
Even when I try to ruthlessly stomp out the attraction I feel for him, embers continue to smolder at the bottom of my belly.
Ugh.
This is bad.
The last thing I want to do is develop feelings for the guy. In fact, that’s what this entire friends-with-benefits situation was supposed to alleviate.
His teammates—Wolf, Madden, and Ryder—greet me before jostling their way onto the elevator.
There’s a moment of silence as everything around us falls away and Madden clears his throat. “Are you coming or what, Hamilton?”
“Coach will rip us a new one if we’re late,” Wolf adds.
Ford’s penetrating gaze never deviates from mine. “I’ll meet up with you in the parking lot. I need to talk to Carina.”
“Suit yourself,” Ryder says. “If you’re not down in five, we’re leaving without you.”
“I’ll be there. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
Wolf snorts and mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite decipher before the metal doors slide shut. This is the first time we’ve been alone since sleeping together. On Monday, I snuck into class late and sat toward the back of the small lecture hall. Our gazes collided several times when he’d turn and stare like he knew exactly what I was doing and why. The wolfish smile that overtook his expression set fire to my panties and the knowing look in his eyes made me think he was remembering what it was like to be buried deep inside my body.
The big jerk.
Before I can throw out an excuse and dart away, his hands lock around my upper arms as he forces me backward against the wall next to the elevator.
“Ford…”
My voice comes out sounding ridiculously breathy. This isn’t the kind of girl I am, and it irritates the hell out of me that he’s able to elicit just such an unwanted reaction.
“What?” He flicks a glance up and down the hallway. “The place is empty. We’re all alone.” There’s a moment of silence. “Or would you prefer for us to be surrounded by people? Then you could continue avoiding me.”
Heat suffuses my cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s been busy.”
But yeah…I’ve been totally avoiding him.
I need all the strange feelings he rouses within me to settle before we see each other again. There was a tiny part of me that wondered if maybe this would be a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of thing. Ford has always been a player. I don’t want to be all like- let’s hook up again and he’s like- thanks, but no thanks. I’ve had my fill. And then I end up looking like a clingy puck bunny.
No way.
Not for a second time.
I’m knocked from the tangle of those thoughts when he nips at my lower lip. There’s no other choice but to refocus my attention on the man pinning me to the wall.
Because that’s exactly what he’s turned into.
A man.
When I met Ford at fourteen, he was tall and lanky. Muscular from playing hockey but he still looked like a young teen. One who needed to grow into his body. Fast forward seven years and he’s packed with muscle. His shoulders are broad, his chest wide, and hips lean. The sight of him naked is enough to turn any woman’s insides into a pile of mush.