Total pages in book: 204
Estimated words: 193115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
“I’m well and truly fucked.”
I scowl at her back as I rest my arms over hers, wondering how the fuck I can stop her from swearing all the time? It’s like razors over my fucking skin. I cock my head in thought. Gag her? “Ava, please watch your mouth.”
“I am, though.”
I’m glad. Really glad. She won’t be forgetting that little encounter in a hurry. “I know, but you don’t have to swear. I hate you swearing.” It doesn’t suit her.
“I have to endure your blue language.”
If I could see her face, I know it would be full of indignation. “My language is only blue, lady,” I whisper, “when you make me see red.” Which is a lot.
Her body deflates on a tired sigh. She can sigh all she likes. I will get my way. “Okay.”
She’s appeasing me. It’s a step in the right direction toward my stability. What else will she appease me on? Everything? Will she agree to be nailed to me for all time? I smile into her skin as I stroke over her arms. She might say no, but what I’ve learned about this woman is that no doesn’t always mean no. Sometimes it means: I really want to, and I need you to show me why. I’ll show her. Every day. Which basically means I get to make love to her daily. I smile again. She can’t possibly dispute perfection.
Letting me take her in the arse showed me something solid. She trusts me. She was willing to give herself to me in any way. I need to explore every possible avenue, hunt down every sign that she’s completely and utterly in this unchartered territory with me. I’m terrified. For myself, but more for Ava. She’s given me a gift unknowingly, and I need to treasure it. For the past week, I’ve only found peace when I’m touching her.
How on earth am I going to balance that? How am I going to make sure I give her what she needs while ensuring I get what I need to maintain this bliss? I’m reasonable enough to accept it’s going to be tricky.
“Jesse?” she whispers, my name loaded with a million questions. And I know what one she will ask.
“Hmmm?”
“How old are you?”
I inhale and flex my hold on her arms. It doesn’t matter. So why won’t you tell her, Ward? “Twenty–two.” Soon. I’ll tell her soon. I slowly inch my way out of her as I kiss her back, my face strained in discomfort. “Come here.” I avoid her hips for risk of her jerking out of my hold, taking her waist instead. I frown, looking down, my sated dick deciding it’s not so sated anymore, twitching and standing to attention again. Fuck me, haven’t you had enough?
I turn her and lift her onto the counter, catching her slight alarm when she sees my condition. She’d better get used to that. I can’t stop myself from responding to her, and I don’t want to. I take her arms and rest them over my shoulders as I move between her thighs, absorbing her face. It’s been too long since I’ve seen it. And her eyes. She’s real. I could never refute that when they’re sparkling so madly. “Are you okay?”
Her smile is gorgeous. Satisfied. “Yes.”
“Good.” I move in, hugging the shit out of her. “I’m not finished with you yet.”
She wraps everything around me, legs, arms, and all. “I noticed.”
“You have this effect on me.”
Her face goes straight into my neck. That’s amazing too. Everything with this woman is amazing.
I exhale my contentment and free up my hold, leaning back slightly to get her in my sights. Her cheeks are flushed. Beautifully flushed, and I can’t help giving them a light caress. “Are you hungry?”
“Ish.”
“Ish,” I mimic, and she grins. Amazing. “You have a cheeky grin. I love it.” I drop a light kiss on her mouth.
“Shit!”
“Mouth,” I grate, giving her displeased eyes. “What’s the matter?”
She looks worried, and in turn, I’m worried. “I told Kate I’d be home,” she says, her body tensing, ready to free herself. “I better call her. She needs my car to visit her gran in Yorkshire.”
She’s out of my arms before I can stop her, and I have to reason with myself before I yank her right back. She’s just making a call. Let her make the call. I pout, my naked body feeling lost without her attached to it. I’m in more trouble than I thought.
My hand goes to my chest. The contented heartbeat is now more of a panicked thrum. Jesus, I need to get a fucking grip. She’s right there, Ward.
I stand stock-still, watching her as she retrieves her phone and bashes out a text message before she pulls some jeans out. She’s dressing? Why?
“I’ve got to go,” she says as she starts to put them on.