Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I tilted my head, resting it on top of hers, her scent even stronger. Her hair was soft, tickling my cheek and making me smile. It felt intimate, sitting in the dark with her so close, our thighs pressed together, our torsos melded as one. After a while, I felt her body sag, pressing into my side more and her mug tilting a little as her grip eased. I took the mug, setting it on the table behind the sofa. I glanced down at her, the firelight playing over her face, highlighting her hair. Her breathing was deep and even as she slumbered.
I was unsure what to do. It was too cold to take her back to the bedroom. Both of us sitting up would cause some painful neck and leg cramps in the morning. Making a decision, I carefully shifted, lying back on the sofa and letting her lie on top of me. I made sure we were covered, her getting some extra blanket. I wrapped my arms around her, rolling a bit so she was tucked into the back of the sofa and safe. She nestled against me with a sigh, her lips parting as she breathed softly. Unable to help myself, I pressed a kiss to her forehead, freezing in place when I realized her eyes had fluttered open.
“Is that part of warming me up?” she whispered.
“Should I apologize?”
“No.”
Then she slipped her hand around my neck and pulled my face to hers. Her mouth was soft, and her full lips pressing to mine felt like heaven. I wrapped my arm around her back, holding her tight, and kissed her, delving into her mouth and tasting her. Exploring. Licking. Teasing. She whimpered low in her throat, her shiver having nothing to do with being cold. But it was enough to make me aware of what I was doing. I pulled back, my breathing heavy, my cock stirring in my sweats, wanting me to continue. To roll her and pin her underneath me and kiss her more. Until she was begging.
Our eyes met and held in the dim light. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying the plump flesh. I pulled it away. “I’m going to want to kiss you more,” I murmured. “Don’t hurt yourself.”
Her eyes glowed in the firelight, and I kissed her again, this time showing some restraint. Then I pulled her head down to my chest. “Sleep, mo fhiadh beag. Otherwise, I’m not going to be able to control myself.”
“This can’t be comfortable for you,” she argued.
“I beg to differ. I like this. I should have turned the pump off myself.”
She laughed, the sound light and airy in the room. But she stopped arguing and relaxed. I felt myself getting drowsy again. The last thing I heard as I drifted to sleep was her quiet voice.
“I like it too.”
AUTUMN
I woke up to the strangest sensation. I was warm, being held securely—and safe. I couldn’t recall feeling this safe in a long time. I lifted my head, finding Sully’s face inches from mine. We were locked tightly together on the sofa, one of his arms holding me close, the other hand fisted in my hair. He was asleep, his face relaxed, unlike the grip he had on me. I peered toward the window, unable to gauge the time. It was still dim, snow falling and wind howling.
I studied Sully in the low light. He was incredibly handsome with his dark hair and eyes. His frame. The easy confidence as he moved and spoke. His voice was commanding and low. His very presence suggested power. Strength.
Yet it didn’t frighten me. And given what I had run away from, that surprised me.
Maybe it was because Bonnie spoke of him often. Talked about the way he cared for his aunt. For her. How admired he was in the legal field. She told me he volunteered at places that benefited children. He read to them at libraries. Mentored a group of teens. Led another group in building and maintaining green spaces. Gardens. He was passionate about the environment.
And judging from his drugging kisses, that wasn’t the only thing he was passionate about.
It was hard to believe he had kissed me. Or that I had kissed him back. Initiated it. From the moment I knew who he was and I was safe with him, I had felt the draw between us. A spark I had heard of but never felt before. I had also never kissed a man the way I kissed Sully so quickly.
And I was surprised I didn’t feel bad about it. In fact, I wanted to do it again.
“Whatever you’re thinking right now,” Sully growled, “share with me.”
I looked up, meeting his beautiful eyes. Set under thick brows, their color was stunning. This close, I could see the whiskey-gold and dark brown melded together in the firelight. Some might call them simply brown, but they were anything but.