Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Close. So close.” Malik thrust harder, erratically, which my overstimulated body fucking loved, teeth chattering, adrenaline spiking along with the pleasure. “Avery.”
“I’m yours.” The response came from deep within, automatic but true because I was a goner, his and only his. And apparently, that was what he’d needed because he groaned again, a few last hard thrusts. I could feel the pulse of his dick, and damn, I wanted that condom gone, wanted to feel everything he had to give me.
“Fuck.” He untangled us with far more care than I would have thought possible. Still pinched, but I managed to muffle my startled sound as he pulled out. After patting my stomach dry with the towel, he arranged us on our sides, him spooning me from behind. “Damn, baby. You really do love dirty talk.”
“I do.” No sense in denying it or getting embarrassed. “Probably because you’re so good at it. Never came so hard in my life.”
“Good.” He kissed the back of my neck. “Definitely worth delaying breakfast.”
“Yup.” Sighing happily, I wriggled into him. “Think I’m in love with snow days. Be right back. Moving to Antarctica.”
“Do I get to come?” He nuzzled his face into my hair.
“Yup. Always.” Always. I was drunk on the sex and him and the sun filtering in over our warm bodies. Always. I’d blurted the word without thinking, but now I wanted. Wanted to drag him off to some icy planet where we never had to think about the real world again and where always could truly mean always.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Malik
“The snow is melting already.” Avery gazed out the diner window at the rapidly shrinking slush piles in the parking lot.
“That’s March for you. Snow today, gone tomorrow.” I couldn’t tell whether Avery was sad about the snow melting, so I kept my own tone light, even though I’d give several months’ salary for another snow day or seven. Every day since the one we’d spent in bed was one day closer to being done with filming, and the more the sun came out, threatening spring, the closer LA crept, encroaching on my ability to pretend we could stay here forever.
“Guess it’s better for the shooting schedule, at least.” Avery gave a pragmatic shrug, attention returning to the bagel he was slathering with peanut butter. He’d shown me the positive nutrition choice like a puppy with a new toy, making me wish we were alone so I could scratch his belly or at least pat his head. “Oh, Duncan’s assistant emailed. Wants to know about return flights.”
“I got that same email.” I tore off a piece of my roll, studying it like it might hold the answer for why my chest felt like a two-hundred-pound pack landed on it. “I’m not—”
“There you both are.” Keely strode into the diner, bringing a gust of cold air with her. And saving me from admitting I wasn’t ready to head back to LA, back to our real lives and real decisions. Avery still seemed so jumpy every time the future was mentioned. My stomach twisted at the thought of him shooting down any talk of what would happen in LA. Better off delaying that conversation as long as possible and simply enjoying the here and now as long as I could.
“Morning.” I smiled as Keely slid in next to Avery.
“I need a pile of favors.”
“How many of them involve horses?” We all laughed, but I wasn’t entirely joking. The horses still made me nervous, even after a few additional rounds of helping Cole.
“Awww.” Keely faked sympathy. “But Cole said you did great.”
“We have different definitions of great.” I met her fake pout with a mock scowl.
“Hey, no horses escaped on your watch. Win.” She gestured like she was going to give me a high-five. “And the main favor is we’re going to film late tonight.”
“Okay.” I nodded sharply, already mentally recalculating how late I could take my meds and still be all right tomorrow. Far be it for me to dictate their filming schedule.
“Really? You’re fine with it?” Keely tilted her head, glancing between Avery and me. “Your boss was very clear on limiting the working hours for the two of you in the contract.”
“That’s Duncan for you,” Avery said brightly before I could groan. “Just some CYA. But I can cover the late shift.”
“Me too.” No way was I letting Avery join Duncan and Harley in believing I couldn’t handle a few long days.
“Avery should be enough.” Keely made a note with her ever-present marker on a clipboard. “It’s not that many scenes and no extras, so we only need one of you to lock up and check on equipment.”
“I’ve got it.” Avery took on a decisive tone he’d only used on me a handful of times.
“I—” I opened my mouth, but Avery held up a hand, looking right at me, not Keely.