Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
I tamp down the unwanted spark of hope that flares to life inside me at the prospect of his caring leading to something more between us. Sexually I desire him, but on an emotional level, I want a relationship with him, too. We have time together, and why not explore the different facets of a romantic connection between us? He claims to need distance, but I am beginning to wonder if he is merely fooling himself about what he truly wants.
I run my tongue over my lips, very aware that he follows the movement with his darkened blue eyes.
“Why do you care who I talk to? Who flirts with me? Who I tease back? You said we needed to keep our distance,” I remind him.
“I do. I need distance. I just fucking … can’t.” And then his mouth is on mine, hard and demanding.
His hands come to my hips, and he picks me up. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he steps back, pushing me against the wall, his lips never leaving mine. His tongue thrusts past the barrier, gliding over mine, tangling and teasing. And his hands slip beneath my shirt, gliding up, up until his big hand cups my breast.
I groan at the unexpected touch, moan at the swipe of his rough fingertips beneath the cup of my bra, over my nipple.
He breaks the kiss, and his lips come down on my neck, pulling the skin into his mouth, nipping at my flesh.
“God, Ben.” I grind my hips against his hard cock, need spiking through me.
“I want you. I go to sleep wanting you. I wake up wanting you.”
A thrill races through me. This is what I’ve been waiting for. The admission that he desires me as much as I do him. His ultimate capitulation.
“But I can’t trust myself to keep you safe if I’m distracted by sleeping with you.”
My sex pulses at the thought of him thrusting inside me. “Aren’t you distracted now? By all this building, unfulfilled desire?”
To my disappointment, he slides me down his body, the hard ridge of his erection gliding against my cotton clothes. I register the touch and soften with need, my panties growing even damper.
“Do you really think you can’t do your job if we’re sleeping together?” I ask.
“It’s not just that.” He steps back. Runs a shaking hand through his hair.
“Surely, you don’t think I’m going to tell someone and get you fired again.” I study his serious expression, trying to figure out what is holding him back.
“Of course not. It’s deeper than that. It’s my past, what I’ve seen with my—”
Before he can explain further, a familiar ring sounds from where my computer sits open on the table by the couch. The FaceTime ringtone indicates I’m getting a call, and the only people who contact me this way are my parents, whom I haven’t spoken with in almost a week.
My gaze darts from Ben’s tortured expression to the computer.
“Go. Take the call.”
“But—”
“Go,” he insists, walking into the kitchen and getting lost staring into the refrigerator before taking out a can of soda.
I shake my head. “This isn’t finished,” I say, heading to take the face-to-face call with my parents. After which, I intend to pin Ben down on why he is pulling away after admitting he doesn’t want to let me go.
Chapter Five
Summer
I sit down in front of the laptop and glance at the screen. My mother’s face stares back.
“Hi, Mom!”
I’ve been waiting for this call and the chance to tell my parents what happened on The Morning Show. Although I had to hire a professional agent for the business side of my life, I didn’t anticipate the changes my actions would cause with the two people closest to me.
My heart hurts at the physical and emotional distance between myself and the people I love. Maybe they just forgot my schedule, and that’s why they haven’t called until now to see how my national television performance went.
“We’re home!” My mother smiles, her teeth white against her tan. She looks happy and healthy, and for that, I am glad. “We got back the other day, and I’ve been exhausted. Between jet lag and unpacking, it’s been just crazy.”
“Oh! That’s good. I’m glad you’re back safely. And I’ve been wanting to tell you about my performance on The Morning Show,” I say.
“I want to hear all about it, but first let me tell you about the trip! My favorite stop was the island of Santorini. It’s the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight, all the white structures built into the mountainside.” She sighs and even holds up her phone to show me a picture.
“It’s gorgeous,” I say. I don’t want to seem disinterested or shallow, but I have news of my own. “Mom—”