Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
She shot the whisky, sputtering slightly before setting the glass down next to her. I quickly shot mine and set my glass beside hers. She rubbed her hand under her nose to catch a drip. I reached to the side table for a box of tissues someone had thought to bring. Apple, no doubt. She was turning into the hard-ass of the two, but she still had a soft spot. Mostly, when there was someone she thought needed taking care of.
Once Calista’d blown her nose she met my gaze. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this. It’s not fair to you and, no matter how attracted I am to you, I don’t think I’m ready for this yet.”
“For what, baby? Sex?”
She closed her eyes and exhaled, like I was dancing on the very last nerve she had. “Yes, Ringo. Sex. You heard me. I’m a virgin. Can’t say I haven’t watched porn or anything. I know about all the stuff Borris promised the other guy he could do.” She met my gaze again. This time, there was a wealth of emotions shining there. Fear. Curiosity. Shock. Anger. Despair.
I reached out, brushing a lock of hair off her cheek before stroking my fingers down her soft skin to tip her chin back. “Don’t be afraid to be curious about those things. Just because he made them sound dirty and terrifying doesn’t mean they have to be.”
“It’s hard to… to think about it because on some level deep down…” She sobbed, throwing herself into my arms. I caught her and wrapped my arms around her as I had just a couple hours ago. This time, though, I urged her legs around my waist and carried her to the bedroom.
I sat on the edge of the bed, holding her, letting her cry. She trembled in my arms. Maybe from fear, but I thought it was mostly in arousal. I also knew it shamed her.
“I want some of the things they described,” she whispered, her voice a mere whisper of sound. “But not with that man. Not with anyone but whom I choose.”
“Nothin’ wrong with that, baby girl. In fact, that’s exactly the way it should be. You want to try somethin’ new, you do it with someone you trust. Someone you want.”
“It’s not wrong? And I’d never want to do those things with just anyone.”
“Not wrong at all. Everyone likes to experiment, but you get to choose who and what.”
Calista pushed away from me slightly, looking into my face. “Are we really doing this whole old lady thing? You claiming me or whatever?”
I grinned. “You heard the options. Besides, I don’t think you’re as opposed to the thought as you try to pretend. I think you want to belong to me.”
She huffed out a breath. “Maybe I want you to belong to me.”
“I can work with that.” I grinned. “Now. I want to kiss you. May I?”
Sucking in a breath, Calista nodded. “Yes, Ringo.”
I grunted, sliding my hand around the back of her neck and pulling her down for a long, sweet kiss.
Chapter Eight
Calista
I was floating. Nothing existed in my world other than Ringo’s lips pressed to mine. Until his tongue slipped into my mouth, tangling with mine in a slow dance of seduction, and I let out a needy whimper. His hands slid down my spine, gripping my ass gently, pulling me closer to him. The roughness of his beard brushed roughly against my skin, making me shiver in anticipation. His muscled body was so strong against me, and I melted into him as he deepened the kiss, running his hands up and down my back, leaving trails of fire wherever he touched.
Our tongues twined together, exploring each other’s mouths, a journey in uncharted territory. At least it was for me. This was the closest I’d ever been to a man. It was the first time I’d ever felt this much lust and need. It was overwhelming and I was afraid it was eroding any good sense I might have had. I could taste whiskey from earlier on his tongue, mixed with the unique flavor of his kiss -- a blend of leather and motorcycle fumes that made my heart race even faster. He tasted like home and danger all at once -- an intoxicating combination that left me wanting more.
When we finally broke apart for air, our breathing was ragged and heavy. His blue eyes gleamed with desire as he looked at me intently. “You’re fuckin’ beautiful,” he murmured hoarsely before claiming my lips again. This time, he nipped at them playfully before sucking on my bottom lip gently. My body responded instinctively, arching into him as I whimpered softly. “So fuckin’ sexy.”
I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. Here I was with this ruggedly handsome man who seemed to know just how to touch me without scaring me too much but also keeping me on edge. My hands found their way up his chest, tracing the lines of ink adorning his skin just above his shirt while my fingers tangled in his hair.