Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Her eyelids fluttered, and she flipped over, immediately scooting backward until she pressed against his chest and her ass snuggled into his crotch. His cock, which he’d managed to maintain some control over in her presence, reacted immediately, and now he was hard as nails.
With a sigh, she relaxed into him while he was now totally tense as well as erect.
“I haven’t been sleeping,” she said quietly.
His arms tightened around her. “Probably because you haven’t felt safe.”
“I feel safe with you.” She snuggled closer against him.
Her words made him uneasy. She had too much faith in him that went beyond basic protection. If she trusted him, she was doomed to disappointment. But he couldn’t push her away. Instead, his hand settled on her stomach.
He couldn’t get over the fact that his baby was in there, and at the thought, something warm and unfamiliar settled inside him. Made him wonder what kind of parent he’d be. He didn’t have the best example of what to do. More like what not to do. He figured that was a start.
“How are you feeling?” he asked her.
“The nausea’s almost completely gone. I’m just really tired.” As if on cue, she yawned, and he forced himself to try to relax.
He listened to the sound of her breathing even out, and soon she’d fallen asleep. It took Cole another hour before his heart rate evened out, and he chilled out enough to get drowsy with her in his arms, and at least another thirty minutes before he finally drifted off.
* * *
Erin awoke, her body plastered against a hard male one. She knew at once where she was and who she was with. She shifted and registered the fact that her silky boxers had ridden up her leg, and she was brazenly rubbing against Cole’s hard, muscular thigh. Mini explosions ignited inside her as she climbed a steady peak that felt so good. Mortified, she immediately stopped wriggling, and the delicious sensations pouring through her body receded.
She wanted to weep at the loss.
They were generating so much heat. The kind that was impossible to resist. And they were living together. More important, and as she’d pointed out to him, she felt safe here in his arms. She didn’t care if it was temporary; she wanted him, and she knew he still wanted her. Even the good girl inside her accepted that something had to give between them sooner or later.
Why not sooner?
Her overly hormonal body craved not just sex, but sex with this man, and she no longer wanted to deny herself. Drawing a deep breath, she ran her hands over his bare chest, following the same path with her lips, hoping he’d wake up and accept what she was freely offering.
She inhaled, breathing in the musky scent of his skin, and memories of another night assailed her, memories of him taking her hard and fast. That night he’d been in control.
This moment was all on her. She slid her fingers beneath the elastic of his briefs and wrapped her hand around his rigid shaft. Steel covered in silk, she thought, marveling at the magnificent feel of him. This was exactly what she wanted. What she needed.
She slid her thumb over the head and moisture slickened her finger. He jerked in her grasp, and her hips writhed in response.
“What the hell?” He bolted upright in bed and caught her gaze. “Erin.” His tone held a serious warning.
“Mmm?” She pulled down the comforter with her free hand, then pushed at his briefs, wanting them gone.
“We shouldn’t do this again,” he said, his voice thick with arousal.
She paused and looked up, knowing from his gruff tone he was fighting with himself and his desire. “Why not? It’s not like you can get me pregnant.”
His eyes darkened. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he muttered.
“But what a death it’ll be,” she teased, tugging on his briefs once more, urging more action and less speech.
He held his body stiff, drawing her attention. “As long as you understand that I’m here for you and the baby, but as far as the future, I don’t . . . I mean, I can’t give you—”
“Happily ever after,” she said before he could put his own spin on things.
“Exactly,” he breathed out, sounding relieved, and shifted his gaze away from hers. “I have a job that takes me away for long stretches of time. It’s dangerous, and I just don’t—”
Erin didn’t need to hear any more about why he couldn’t provide her with the family she craved. Instead, she pulled her pride around her like armor. “What makes you think I’d want that kind of future from you anyway?” she asked, deliberately nonchalant.
Which was true, for right now. Combustible chemistry and joint parenthood weren’t enough to base a lifetime commitment on.
But the fact that he already knew he wouldn’t want her that way hurt.