Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Heat races over my skin, radiating out in waves. My knees threaten to buckle.
He drives into me harder, slamming the dresser into the wall with a steady thump.
He grips my hips again, digging in, quickening his thrusts.
I spasm and clench around him.
Pleasure barrels down on me, fast and brutal. I cry out, sharp and broken, not even caring if the whole hotel hears us.
“Ah, fuck.” He comes with a groan, shuddering through his release.
After a heartbeat, he collapses on top of me, pressing me against the dresser, covering my hands with his. “Thank you.”
He kisses along my spine, then slips out of me.
“You okay?” he asks.
“I’m wrecked.” I kick my shoes off. “Can’t move. I live here now.”
He chuckles and pats my behind as he steps into the bathroom.
A minute later he returns, chuckling when he finds me in the exact same position.
“Poor lady death,” he teases, pulling me into his arms. “Got fucked hard, huh?”
I’m still shaking—with aftershocks, with laughter—as I trace my fingers over the stubble on his cheek.
His smile softens.
He carries me to the bed and helps me peel off my clothes.
The light goes off and he settles into bed behind me, skin to skin, one arm around my waist.
“Are we staying?” I whisper.
He strokes his fingers over my belly then lower. “I’m not done with you yet. This is just an intermission.”
JIGSAW
Margot’s slow, rhythmic breathing should settle me into sleep. Should quiet the noise in my head.
Instead, my thoughts won’t stop ricocheting around.
I shouldn’t say this. Not now.
I’ve never been good at keeping the thoughts in my head out of my mouth. Not the important ones, anyway. “Margot?”
“Hmmm?” she murmurs.
“I meant what I said before.” I roll to my side and trace my fingers over her shoulder. Why can’t I let her rest and tell her this later?
She shifts, leaning into my touch. The sheet slips down, baring most of one breast.
No. Don’t get distracted.
Fuck it.
I flick the sheet with my pinky, exposing one nipple. “I meant what I said,” I repeat.
“You’ve said a lot of things.” She yawns and blinks up at me. “What specifically are you referring to?”
“That I missed you.”
Her expression softens. “I missed you too.”
“I know your job is stressful and unpredictable…but I want you to come with me next time I have to go somewhere. Anywhere.”
Her lips flicker into a patient smile. “What would I have done in Vegas while you were busy being a bodyguard?”
“Hang out with the girls.” I shrug. “I wasn’t standing around guarding Griff twenty-four-seven.”
She nods softly. “I’d like that.”
“I didn’t want to keep blowing up your phone, but I missed you.” I never thought I’d admit this level of neediness to a woman. I did try to warn her I was a clingy motherfucker, though. “A lot.”
“You can call me anytime you want. I loved hearing from you. Getting all your texts and pictures. It was nice knowing you were thinking of me.”
“I’m always thinking about you.”
Her forehead wrinkles. “What’s really…what are you trying to say?”
“I…” How the fuck do I put this into words? “I never expected…I don’t know. I used to make fun of Rooster…the guys if they missed their ol’ ladies…”
Pretty sure I used the word “castrated” a few times to describe their lack of interest in pursuing other pussy while on the road. “And didn’t want to…”
Her eyes narrow. “Hook up with random women on the road?” she finishes for me.
She understands me a little too well.
Why couldn’t I just let her sleep?
I dug myself into this hole. Either I’m going to bury myself deeper or claw my way out.
“Something like that,” I admit.
“Is this your twisted way of telling me women were throwing themselves at you in Vegas?”
“What?” I frown. “No. Not really.”
Her lips push into a thoughtful pout, silently calling bullshit.
“Okay. Yes,” I admit. “There were women circling us all the time. It didn’t matter. The only woman I wanted was you.”
“You sound surprised.” Her forehead crinkles and she squints at me. “Or proud of yourself.”
The corners of her mouth twitch and laughter glints in her eyes.
“All right. I guess I deserve that.” I blow out a breath. “I don’t know how to tell you—”
“Tell me what?”
“That I want you so bad. So much. All the time. I can’t even fucking breathe sometimes when you’re not with me.” There. I said it. Most of it.
She snuggles closer. “I want you too. I missed you terribly. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” She’d sent me as many messages as I’d sent her. Always answered me too. “Still like hearing it.”
“Mmmm.” She sighs against my shoulder.
A few quiet minutes pass.
“Margot,” I whisper again. Why can’t I let her rest? We can talk about this in the morning.
“Hmmm?” She wriggles closer and throws her leg over mine.
Just fucking say it. Margot’s nothing if not honest. If she’s not feeling it, she’ll say so. It’ll rip my heart out, but she will.