Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“I better clean this up,” I said gruffly, picking up containers and napkins. She jumped to her feet, eager to help. She leaned across me and grabbed a stray napkin crumpled on the floor. When she did, she bumped up against me, my upper arm brushing the side of her breast. I felt like I’d been burned, branded. I jerked back, “Sorry,” I said, taking a step back and colliding with the couch.
“Didn’t mean to cause a traffic jam,” she said, slipping past me to throw away the napkins she’d picked up. “I’ve got a date with a library book. I’m almost through with their entire cozy mystery section. Lots of old ladies with bakeries who solve murders.”
“Okay, good night,” I called to her as she went into her room.
She didn’t shut the door all the way. I knew she’d be changing into her pajamas. I could shut my eyes and imagine the lift of her breasts as she drew her shirt over her head, the curve of her ass when she shucked off her jeans. I shook myself, grabbed my phone and cruised Instagram for a while. When I was sure she’d be asleep, I went and took a cold shower, toweled off to get ready for bed.
I was brushing my teeth when I heard her. It was soft to start with, like a moan, but then there were faster whimpers, a short cry. I dropped my toothbrush in the sink and headed for her room.
Lexi was asleep, twisted up in the white sheets, curled in on herself, hands clutched in the tangle of her own hair. She whimpered and moaned, crying out in a short scream. I was on her then, no more hesitating in the doorway. I pulled her up into my arms, whispered to her.
“It’s okay, Lexi. I’m right here. It’s okay,” I said into her damp, tangled hair. She fought against me weakly, pushing, shaking her head.
“Wake up!” I said, “Lexi!” I put her away from me for a second to look in her face. She was flushed and sweaty, tears on her cheeks. It wrenched something in my chest to see her frightened.
She blinked, rubbed her eyes, sniffed bravely, “I—I—Rafe—” she broke off saying my name. She buried her face in my neck, hot tears falling on my skin. I wrapped her in my arms, told her over and over that I had her, that she was safe. I felt the tension go out of her when her sobs subsided.
Lexi clung to me still, one hand on my bare back, one on my chest. I wished briefly that I’d put some clothes after my shower and not just the towel. Something, anything between us would have been safer. She was in a white t-shirt, her strong thighs naked below it. I swallowed hard, rubbed her back in what I hoped was a friendly, comforting way.
She looked up at me, her eyes bright with tears as they met mine. She leaned up and kissed my cheek or tried to. She brushed her lips at the corner of my mouth, probably by accident, but I was lost. I covered her mouth with mine, my lips nipping at hers, my tongue sliding inside her mouth, soft and welcoming. She gasped into my mouth, her tongue stroking along mine as I explored her slowly and sensuously. Her hands tangled in my wet hair and I growled with satisfaction, I couldn’t help myself, when she nipped at my lower lip with her teeth, sending a bolt of sensation straight to my cock. I wanted her so fiercely that I had to stop at nothing to contain it, had to content myself to stroke my tongue into her mouth deep and slow, making her tremble under my hands.
Slanting my mouth over hers, I slid my palm along her rib cage, my thumb brushing the underside of her breast. I stroked higher, felt her nipple harden into a tight bud under the slightest rub of thumb. She gave a small moan into my mouth, so I gave her more. I laid her back on the bed, working her sensitive nipple between my finger and thumb, making it into a hard, aching peak. Lexi wrapped both arms around me, whispered into my mouth, “Rafe, I’ve wanted you for so long.” Her words undid me. I had meant to comfort her with a kiss, but she had set me ablaze.
I pulled back from her, trying not to let my gaze linger on her swollen lips, the drugged look in her eyes. I wanted to slide her shirt up and put my mouth between her legs. She’d let me, I knew from the look on her face. But she was too vulnerable, staying with us for safety and friendship, crying out in the night from a bad dream. It would have been dishonorable to take advantage of her. I helped her to her feet.