Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
“O-OK. What… what are you getting at?”
“Those boys belong with you. I agree with you Chase had his chance. Even if your sister lied and he knew nothing of her pregnancy or her cancer. He knew he hadn’t used protection. So fuck it all. I’m on your side and always will be.”
We looked at each other for long moments. His eyes seemed to flicker in his anger, a golden-amber flame. The dominant way he held me, the strength in his grip should have scared me, or at the very least made me uneasy. Instead, I found myself strangely aroused. I think it was the intensity of his gaze. It was like he was willing me to believe him and believe him with a passion I’d never falter with. When I moistened my lower lip, he swore.
“Fuck,” he whispered, his grip tightening. “Do that again.”
“Do what?” My skin erupted in sweat. My breathing came faster, and my gaze fastened on his lips.
“Wet those lovely lips. Ready yourself for my kiss.”
“Oh, God…” But I did exactly what he asked, darting my tongue out to wet my lips. With a groan, Carnage descended on me, his lips covering mine in a sensual but dominant kiss.
I was reminded of an old movie I dearly loved. There are kisses, then there are kisses. This one fell into the latter category. When Carnage swept his tongue into my mouth, my whole world narrowed to nothing but him. We could have been in a room full of people, and I wouldn’t have cared as long as he kept kissing me. His masculine scent surrounded me, embedded in my senses and filled me with… him. Carnage. I already knew he was a force of nature, but nothing could have prepared me for this.
That moan of need couldn’t have come from me. Could it? It must have, because Carnage growled, letting go of my head to wrap an arm around me and pull me close to him. He still gripped my chin, but somehow it felt right. I liked the domination. Craved it, even. I was a firework out of control, exploding in the night.
All too soon, Carnage ended the kiss, his hand still holding my chin, keeping me right where he wanted me. He looked down at me, a look of satisfaction and lust blazing in those heavy-lidded eyes.
“Calliope…” He murmured my name. Whispered it like a prayer in its reverence. “Sweet as honey.”
“Why did you do that?” I hadn’t meant to voice the question, but I needed an answer.
“Been wanting to do it since I first saw you. You’re still too fragile for much, but I’ll get to all that fire inside you soon. Once you get comfortable here, you’ll feel stronger.”
The statement had the effect of a bucket of ice water. “Just because I made some bad decisions in my life doesn’t mean I’m weak.”
“Not at all. But you’re feeling the pain of some of those decisions. Been there myself, so I get you. You’re exhausted and, no matter how tough you are, you’ve been beaten down by someone bigger than you. You’re scared and off-balance, but we’ll soon take care of that. I’m telling you right now, when you’re feeling more like yourself, I’m gonna take you to bed and not let you up until you’re screamin’ my name at the top of your lungs.”
My knees gave out. Had Carnage not had such a hold on me, I’d have fallen. Clinging to his shoulders, I tried to get a hold of myself. Mark had been the first man I’d ever been with, and only a few times. This man was out of my league in every possible way. “I mistook loneliness for affection once, Carnage. I’m not doing it again.”
“I get that. And I’m not pushing you. Yet. But once you figure out the situation here with you, the boys, and Chase, you’re gonna think about that kiss, and you’re gonna want more. When you do, come to me. I’ll be ready and waiting for you.”
Slowly, with exquisite gentleness, Carnage let me go. He made sure I could stand on my own, then gave me a cocky grin before he left me to change. When he shut the door, it was all I could do to not crumple to the floor. He was wrong about one thing. I wasn’t sure I wanted to wait to see what happened with everything here. I wanted him to finish what that kiss promised.
I went to the bathroom, relieved myself, then washed my hands, splashing cold water on my face when I was done. I was so fucked. I only thought I knew about sex. I realized now I’d only scratched the surface with Mark. Hell, I’d barely gotten rid of my virginity if that kiss from Carnage was any indication.