Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Once I have everything taken care of, I feel the weight of my own adrenaline crash and the following exhaustion. My body is heavy as I sit next to the bed, and my eyes stay closed longer every time I blink.
I’m about to get up from the chair and stumble out to the living room to sleep when I hear Bellarose’s voice stop me.
“West,” she mumbles like she’s dreaming, but I watch her hand slide across the bed in my direction.
“I’m right here,” I tell her as I take her hand, and the strength in her grip surprises me. Bending down, I kiss her cheek, this time letting my lips linger.
“West,” she mumbles a second time and tugs on my hand.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I’m so tired that I can’t fight the urge to crawl into bed with her any longer. Careful not to move too much, I slide in behind her, spooning my body around hers. Of course Bellarose fits perfectly against me. The longer I’m with her, the more I know we were made to be together.
My body wraps around hers, and there’s not an inch of space between us. I surround her protectively, and she sighs like she’s been waiting for this as long as I have. The sound of her heartbeat soothes all my worries away, and I kiss her bare shoulder where her shirt has shifted.
I wish I could stay awake all night so I don’t miss a moment of this. Of what it feels like to have her in my bed. It’s impossible, though. Having Bellarose in my arms has given me a peace I never knew was possible, and I can’t fight sleep any longer.
It might be hours later or only a few minutes, but I’m suddenly wide awake when I feel lips pressing against mine.
“Thank you,” Bellarose whispers after the kiss.
At some point, she turned in my arms, and now she’s looking up at me. I can see the silhouette of her face in the moonlight, and I reach out to brush my thumb over her cheek.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” I say, my voice deep and gravelly from sleep. “Nothing I wouldn’t give you.” My thumb moves to trace over her bottom lip. “All you have to do is ask.”
“Will you kiss me again?”
Even in the moonlight, I can see the shyness in her eyes. How can she possibly think there’s a universe where my answer would be no?
“Bellarose,” I tell her as my other arm slides around her waist and I pull her flush against me. I need her to feel how much I want her. I don’t want there to be any mistaking my desire.
“Oh,” she says in surprise, and I’d be willing to bet if I could see the color of her cheeks right now, they’d be fire-engine red.
“I think it might be easier if you tell me when to stop kissing you.” I brush my lips over hers gently, giving her time to object.
“Um, well.” Her breath hitches as her fingers tighten in my shirt. “Based on that new information, I think I’ll just stay quiet.”
“Anything you want, kitten.”
Chapter Eleven
BELLAROSE
West’s mouth hovers over mine, and the small space of separation is maddening. He’s close enough for me to feel his warmth but not so close that I can taste him again. I can tell he’s worried and doesn’t want to press too quickly, but I want this. Even if it only lasts until the end of the retreat, I know West will make this good for me.
“Stop being so careful,” I whisper against his lips. “I’m not going to break. I’ve still got eight lives to go.”
He lets out a surprised laugh, his warm breath teasing against my mouth. “That’s not funny.”
“Right.” A small laugh leaves me too before it’s cut off when he kisses me again. This time it’s more thorough than before, and I can feel it all the way to my toes.
As always, West starts gently. Only I don’t want gentle. I want him. I want the hunger I’ve seen when he watches me. The possessiveness when he pulled Jake off me. West is my hero and one of the good ones. I’ve seen what he’s capable of, and I want that passion.
I arch against him, opening my mouth. That’s all it takes because I can feel the moment his control slips. His hand strokes down my jaw, tilting my head back so he can deepen the kiss. He’s got full control, and that’s exactly what I want. When West leads, it makes me feel safe and cherished.
“You’re a bossy kitten,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“As long as I’m your kitten,” I whisper before I can really think about what my words mean. Or how true they are.
I tug at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against mine, and he takes the hint. West breaks away just long enough to yank it over his head, and I get a moment to appreciate the view. Broad shoulders narrow to a deep V that leads farther down. There’s a scattering of dark hair across his chest, and when I run my fingers over it, I’m shocked at how soft it feels. There’s no time to explore him before he’s kissing me again and pressing me into the bed.