Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“I’ll never forget our anniversary,” I say. “Every Christmas Eve from here on out, all I’ll be able to think about is you. Even if you never want to see me again.”
She sways closer, making my bones go wobbly with hope. “Do you really think I want that?”
“I hope not. I pray not, and I’m not a praying man.”
“Well, that’s going to be a problem,” she murmurs as she shifts fully into my arms, the feel of her breasts soft against my chest wrenching a soft sound of relief from my throat. “My parents are very Catholic, and if we end up going all the way, they’re going to want to see us married in a church.”
“I’ll go to confession at St. Joseph’s tomorrow,” I say, without missing a beat. “Confess my sins and promise I’ll be in a pew every Sunday from here on out.”
“We don’t have to go every Sunday, just enough to prove we’re serious. Just in case.” A soft, wonder-filled smile blooms across her face. “You’re seriously considering marriage? After less than a week?”
“When you know, you know, Maya Swallows,” I say, throwing caution to the wind. “I almost bought you a ring instead of that necklace, but I figured you’d think I was crazy.”
“I do think you’re crazy,” she says, her fingers teasing into my hair. “But I’m crazy, too, so…”
“Can I take you upstairs, beautiful?” I whisper as her lips move closer to mine. “And show you how sorry I am?”
Pudge meows loudly from beside our feet, making us shift apart with a laugh. “Pudge would like another snack, first, I think,” she says, smiling down at the cat before casting a heated glance my way. “But then…you’re mine.”
I’m already hers, a fact I intend to prove tonight and every night, as long as I’m lucky enough to have this perfect woman in my arms.
chapter 22
ANTHONY
Pudge is still devouring his catnip chew, purring with pleasure on his favorite chair, when Maya takes my hand.
There’s an urgency in her grip, her fingers tight around mine as we lock eyes, that sets my every nerve on fire. Neither of us speaks as we head for the stairs, the silence between us heavy with anticipation, making my pulse race.
I wasn’t sure I’d have this chance again—the chance to touch her, to love her, to make her come apart in my arms—and I don’t intend to take a second of tonight for granted.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll be able to take the first time slow. I want her too much. I need to be naked and inside her ten minutes ago, proving nothing is going to come between us again.
We reach the door and push through, slamming it behind us, and then her mouth is on mine and our hands are everywhere.
“Need you so much,” she says, her breath hitching as I jerk her dress up, gripping her gorgeous ass through her silk stockings.
“More than anything,” I agree. “God, you feel so good, baby,” I say as she presses closer, deepening the kiss.
Her lips are hungry, urgent, moving against mine with a boldness that sets my blood on fire. My girl knows what she wants, and she’s no longer the slightest bit shy about asking for it, demanding it, even.
And I fucking love it.
I kiss her back just as fiercely, my hands sliding up to her waist, fingers digging into her curves as I tug her flush against me.
She lets out a soft cry as her stomach comes into contact with where I’m hard for her. The sound is half-gasp, half-groan of need and pours fresh kerosene on the fire burning between us. I push her back against the wall beside the door, pinning her there as I devour her. I stake my claim with my hand loosely around her throat as I fuck her mouth with my tongue, promising I’m never going to betray her trust again with every stroke.
“More. Touch me,” she gasps when we finally break apart for air. “I want to feel you everywhere. Just you. Always you,” she says, her nails raking over my skin as she shoves my shirt off my shoulders.
“Always,” I promise, stripping her dress off and her stockings down her legs before kissing my way back up her curves. I’m high on the taste of her skin, on the sounds she makes as I shove her panties to one side and glide two fingers deep into where she’s so damned hot and wet that I can’t wait another second.
I rip open my fly and shove my pants and boxers down, freeing my cock.
“Yes, now, please,” she says as she quickly disposes of her panties.
The second they hit the floor, I grip her thighs, lifting her into the air. She wraps her legs around my waist, bringing her slick heat against my shaft, driving me wild.