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 held her close as our releases passed, fading away but leaving a humming sensation under my skin. I pulled my mouth from hers, nuzzling my way across her cheek and dropping my head to her shoulder. “Holy shit,” I muttered. “That was…” I had no words to describe it.
She leaned back, and our eyes met. Her hair was a disaster from my hands. Her mouth was swollen and wet. Her cheeks flushed. There was a small bruise on the side of her neck. A couple more by her breasts. She looked well and truly fucked.
“You look…” I shook my head. “Jesus, did I hurt you?”
“No,” she replied. “But I imagine I look as worked over as you do.” She grimaced slightly. “I think I scratched you.”
“I’ll live.”
“And I left a little, um, hickey.” She touched a spot high on my neck by the base of my ear.
I grinned. “You have more than one.” I chuckled. “I haven’t given anyone a hickey since I was a teenager. I guess I was making up for lost time.” I traced a finger over her breast at the purple mark showing against her pale skin. “I suppose I’ll sound like a caveman if I admit I rather like seeing my mark on you.”
She hummed, and I tried to ignore the way her nipple hardened under my touch and she shivered a little. “Join me in the cave, then.”
I laughed as I laid us back, pulling at the blanket draped across the end of the bed. She nestled into my embrace with a low hum of contentment.
“You do that,” I commented.
“Do what?”
“Make a little sound in your throat when I hold you. Or hug you. Whenever I first touch you.”
“Oh. I think my body just likes it. I don’t recall it ever happening before now, though.”
I held her closer. “Well, I like it too. And I like the fact that it’s my sound.”
“Are you staying?”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “Yes.”
“Good.” She paused. “Are you hungry? Do you want a shower?”
“I want to go to sleep with you in my arms, smelling like us.”
“That’s kinda kinky.”
“You object?”
She tilted up her head. “No.”
I kissed her. “I’m not finished with you anyway.”
“Oh.”
Again, I asked, “You object?”
“No. No objections there.”
“Good.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
SULLY
Istood over Autumn, hating to leave her but knowing I had to get to the office and prepare for the busy day ahead. Waking up beside her was still very new, and I liked it. I liked how she felt wrapped around me, her soft breath warm on my skin. I loved the little noise of protest she made when I slipped from the bed and the way she burrowed into the pillow I slid toward her, smiling as she slipped back into sleep, no doubt breathing in my scent.
Her fragrance was all around me, clinging to my skin. I hated the idea of showering it off but looked forward to having it all over me again later.
I looked around, not wanting to leave without saying goodbye. I spied a notepad on the desk with the customary pen all hotels provided. As I lifted a piece of paper, a memory struck of Aunt Roisin, Finn, and Niall one weekend. I had been staying over, and it had begun to piss down rain, trapping us in the small house. This was long before Netflix and streaming services, and TV service was iffy at the best of times in the small village where Roisin lived. She’d decided to teach us origami—a craft she had learned years ago. She was patient as she guided us through the steps, explaining the basics. Finn and Niall grew bored quickly and returned to their games, but I actually enjoyed it and Roisin taught me several small pieces. I hadn’t made any in years, but suddenly, my fingers began to fold and crease the piece of paper in my hand. Before I realized it, I had made a small flower. I added a note, wrapping it around the little stem, and placed it on the pillow beside Autumn. Even asleep, I felt the draw I had to her and stirrings of desire. I bent and pressed a soft kiss to her head.
“Until later, mo fhiadh beag.”
Then, regretfully, I left her.
Two hours later, Lloyd walked in, carrying a steaming cup of coffee from the local spot he knew I liked. Theirs was brewed in small batches, using the best beans, and I preferred it to the more well-known chains. I was behind my desk, showered, dressed, and deep into the workload waiting for me. I glanced up, noticing his serious face.
“Do I still have a job?” he semi-joked. “I had no idea I was sending you into a storm and trapping you for the weekend.” He held out the cup. “Maybe this will do as a start to my apologies?”