Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“It really does,” she says quietly.
“I want you to be happy.” I curl my fingers at her. “Come here.”
Slowly, oh, so slowly, she places her hand in mine and allows me to tug her toward me until I can wrap my arms around her. The sigh she releases as she relaxes into me is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. I inhale her subtle vanilla scent and something in my chest unclenches. “I only have one condition.”
She tenses. “What condition?”
“Talk to me. Regardless of what you’re feeling, if it’s a day you hate me, talk to me. I can’t read your mind, and I won’t be able to provide what you need if I don’t know where your head is at.”
“Only that?” She laughs a little. “I’ll try. I can’t promise perfect communication, but I promise I’ll try.”
“That’s enough.” I allow myself to inhale deeply, pulling her vanilla scent into my lungs as I hug her tightly to me. “I missed you.”
She buries her face in my neck. “I missed you, too. It was driving me crazy not being around you, even when I was furious, but I couldn’t come back until I figured some of my shit out.”
“I’m glad you came back at all. I would have waited longer if you needed it.”
Aurora runs her hands up my arms and over my shoulders to cup my face. She looks up at me, and there are no shadows in her eyes, no shields in place. She just looks relieved and happy. “Forgive me?”
“You were already forgiven the second you walked out the door.” I place my hands over hers. “I know what’s it’s like to want revenge for pain caused and loved ones lost. It hurt, but I can’t pretend I didn’t deserve it.” This still seems almost too good to be true, but it doesn’t matter, because she’s here. Against all odds, she’s chosen me, and I’m going to do my damnedest to make her happy and keep her at my side.
“Even if you forgive me…” Mischief alights in her dark eyes. “I would very much like to make it up to you. Starting right now.”
“Oh?” I arch my brows as she goes for the front of my slacks, undoing them quickly and shoving them down my hips. My shirt is next, and Aurora doesn’t even bother with the buttons. She just pulls it over my head and tosses it on the floor. I glance at it. “Messy.”
“I’ll fold them later. I’ve missed you too much. I need you now.”
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of her telling me that she misses me, that she loves me. “I love you.” I run my fingers through her bright-pink hair and give it a sharp tug. “But if you want to make it up to me, I’m not going to stop you.”
“Good.” She nudges me back to the couch and topples me onto it. Then she’s between my thighs, running her hands over my hips. She hesitates. “I mean it, Malone. I did miss you. I do love you.”
“I love you, too.” I give her hair another little tug. “Now, show me, and then I’m going to spend the rest of the day returning the favor.”
Her grin is as bright as the sun. “Yes, Mistress.”