Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
She graces me with a sweet smile. “You’re a good man.”
I’d been expecting her to yell at me or refuse to speak to me, but this is better. She’s letting me in again. Forgiving me for my stupidity. Praising me. I love this woman. I always will.
I dip down and kiss her deeply. A small moan of pleasure hums out of her, giving me all the permission I need. Gently, I start maneuvering her toward her bed, my mouth owning hers with each swipe of my tongue. With my arm looped around her, I lower her to the bed, settling my strong body on top of her lithe one.
She’s finally letting me in.
It feels like the sweetest reward after a night from hell.
Our kiss grows hungrier, but then her hands are pressing on my chest. Reluctantly, despite the throbbing in my cock and the growl escaping me, I pull back to stare at her pretty face.
“We can’t.”
I blink at her, her words confusing me. We totally can. We just were. She’s into me and I fucking love her. Why can’t we?
“Babe…”
Her head shakes as tears well in her eyes. “Please, Dempsey. Don’t. I…”
I stroke my thumb over her cheek, searching her face. “What is it? Talk to me.”
“I can barely say no,” she whispers, shame coating her words.
“Then don’t.”
A long moment passes where we stare holes into each other. Her lashes flutter when I press a kiss to her nose. She sighs happily when my lips find their way back to hers. It starts sweet again but within minutes, we’re both panting. Her heels dig into my ass as my stone-hard dick grinds against her center.
“Dempsey.”
The pleading tone in her voice between kisses has me pulling away once more.
“We’re meant to be,” I murmur, rubbing my nose along hers. “I know you see it. Feel it.”
She whimpers when I thrust my hips. “I do. I just, I can’t.”
Her eyes are full of shame and I know exactly why. She can’t be with me because of my mother. I wish our bond were stronger than theirs. If only she’d give it a chance to be.
“This isn’t just getting laid for me,” I admit, voice broken and vulnerable. “It’s about you. It’s always been about you. I want you more than anything in this world, Sloane. Anything.”
Tears leak from the corners of her eyes and she sniffles. “Then be strong for me. I can’t. I’m too weak.”
Everything in her expression begs to be held, cared for, loved. I ache to do all those things. But the words she’s giving me starkly contrast that.
She needs space.
I close my eyes, knowing what I have to do. With a quick peck to her lips, I then roll off her and sit up. Running my fingers through my gelled hair, I attempt to squash the hurt lancing at my heart.
She sits up and slides her palm over my back, resting her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.”
Twisting, I meet her face for one more chaste kiss and then rise to my feet. As long as we’re touching, it’s too difficult to do what’s right. I vowed that I’d do anything for her and I meant it. If it means keeping her from doing something she’ll regret tomorrow, then I’ll do it.
That’s what real love is.
Sacrificing what you want for the one who owns your soul.
“Promise me one thing,” I say when I reach the window.
“Anything.”
My heart twists. “Don’t shut me out after this. At the very least, just seeing you and talking to you is what I need. It’ll have to be enough.”
Silence fills the room and I start to panic. She finally agrees with a small sound of affirmation.
She won’t shut me out.
She can’t or I won’t survive it.
I take one last look at the woman who has me tied in a million knots. She’s teary-eyed, completely wrecked, and so fucking sad. I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight in all my life.
“I’ll wait for you. Until you’re ready.”
A small smile tugs at her lips. “You may wait a long time.”
“For you, babe, I’d wait forever.”
With those words, I slip out through her window and into the night. The window closes behind me and the locks engage. Slowly, I amble my way across the yard to where Gemma’s face glows from her phone. I’m not exactly ready to face my sister or her barrage of questions, but there’s nowhere else to go.
I climb into the Tahoe and buckle in, my entire body feeling shattered and ready to crumble.
“It didn’t go well,” Gemma whispers. “Oh, Dempsey. I’m sorry.”
Her hand brushes over my arm. The comforting touch of my twin has me relaxing, allowing all the pain to settle deep inside my bones. I press my fingers to my eyes and slump my shoulders. The fingertips grow wet as my body trembles.