Total pages in book: 194
Estimated words: 183150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 916(@200wpm)___ 733(@250wpm)___ 611(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 183150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 916(@200wpm)___ 733(@250wpm)___ 611(@300wpm)
‘No boxers?’ I ask.
He tucks himself in and gingerly zips himself up on a dark grin. ‘No, I don’t want any unnecessary obstructions.’ His tone is suggestive and very confident.
I frown. ‘Obstructions?’
He pulls a crisp white t-shirt over his wet hair and down his rippling abdominals. I know I’m gawping. ‘Yes, obstructions,’ he confirms in a low husk. He strides over to my naked form and wraps his palm around the nape of my neck to pull my face close to his. ‘Get ready.’ he whispers, pressing his lips hard on mine. He’s got to stop this if he’s not going to see me through.
‘Where’s my dress?’ I ask against his lips.
He releases me. ‘I don’t know.’ he says dismissively, casually striding out of the room.
What? He must have taken it off because I was in no fit state to coordinate a strip. I go into the bathroom to get my underwear, at least I know where that is…no, I don’t. My bra and knickers are gone.
Okay, he’s playing games. I go to his walk-in-wardrobe and find – what I expect to be – the most expensive shirt on the rail. I slip it on and make my way downstairs, finding him in the kitchen. He’s sat at the island, dipping his finger in a jar of peanut butter.
His smile dazzles me as he looks up, his lips wrapped around a peanut butter covered finger. ‘Come here.’ he orders.
I stand in the archway, naked except for a white dress shirt, and frown at him. ‘No.’ I decline, watching as his smile dulls into a straight line.
‘Come…here.’ He punctuates the words slowly.
‘Tell me where my dress is.’ I challenge.
He narrows his eyes at me and places his jar of peanut butter, calmly and precisely, on the work surface. Those cogs are working hard again and his finger is tapping ferociously on the worktop as he stares me down.
‘You have three seconds.’ he declares, his voice dark, his face straight.
I raise my eyebrows. ‘Three seconds for what?’
‘To get your arse over here.’ It’s that fierce tone. ‘Three,’
My eyes widen. Is he serious? ‘What happens if you make it to zero?’
‘Do you want to find out?’ He remains completely impassive. ‘Two,’
What? Do I want to find out? Fucking hell, he’s not given me much time to run this over.
‘One,’
Shit! I bolt towards his outstretched arms, colliding against his hard body. There was no mistaking the dark look of satisfaction I got a glimpse of before my head was buried in his neck. I don’t even know what happens on zero, but I do know how much I love his arms around me, so it’s a no brainer really. Oh, that feels good. As my face nuzzles between his pecs and I trace my fingers over his back, I can hear his heartbeats slow under my ear. He exhales and stands, placing me on the island, working his way between my thighs. He rests his palms on the tops of my legs.
‘I like your shirt.’ He skates his palms over my thighs.
‘Is it expensive?’ I ask on a pout.
‘Very,’ He smirks. He knows my game. ‘What do you remember about last night?’
Oh? Yes, I was ridiculously drunk, shockingly brazen on the dance floor, and I think I might have admitted to myself that I’m in love with him. He doesn’t need to know the last revelation. ‘You’re a good dancer.’ I say instead.
‘What can I say? I’m a sucker for JT,’ He shrugs it off swiftly. ‘What else do you remember?’
‘Why?’ I ask on a frown.
He sighs. ‘At what point do you draw a blank?’
Where is he going with this? ‘I don’t remember getting home, if that’s what you’re getting at. I do realise I was stupidly drunk and highly irresponsible.’
‘You don’t remember anything after the bar?’
‘No.’ I admit. That’s never happened to me before.
‘That’s a shame.’ His sludgy eyes search mine for something, I’ve no clue what.
‘What’s a shame?’
‘Nothing,’ He leans down, kissing me tenderly on the lips, smoothing his palms over my face.
‘How old are you?’ I ask as I look him straight in the eye.
He dips his lips to mine again, coaxing them open and slowly swirling his tongue around my mouth before biting my bottom lip and tugging gently. ‘Twenty six.’ he whispers, planting soft, skimming kisses all over my mouth.
‘You missed twenty five.’ I mumble, closing my eyes in complete contentment.
‘No, I didn’t. You just can’t remember asking me.’
‘Oh. After the bar?’
He rubs his nose against mine. ‘Yes, after the bar.’ He pulls back and runs his thumb across my bottom lip. ‘You feeling better?’
‘Yes, you need to feed me.’
He laughs, planting a chaste kiss on my lips. ‘Are you making demands?’
‘Yes,’ I say haughtily. ‘Get me my clothes.’
He narrows his eyes on me, making a play for my hip bone, squeezing it hard and sending me jolting across the worktop on a squeal. ‘Who has the power, Ava?’