Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103621 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
“Same,” he agrees with a nod. “Her safety and well-being come first. Always. We’re on the same page about that, chère, I promise you.”
“I think we’re on the same page about a lot of things,” I murmur, before biting my bottom lip to keep myself from saying something even more obvious. Something that will make my crush as clear as the dazzling skyline in front of us.
“Me, too.” His tone takes on a teasing edge as he adds, “So, I’m guessing you won’t mind that I got you and Mimi seats for the opening game? I didn’t want to assume, but—”
“Assume!” I cut in, bolting upright in my lounger so fast my beer nearly sloshes over the edge. “Please, assume. Always assume,” I add, laughing as I set the bottle down beside me on the ground so I can clap my hands. “Oh my God, I’m so excited, I’m shaking! I wanted to go so bad, but the tickets were all sold out or crazy expensive. Mimi’s going to be over the moon, Grammercy. Seriously. Thank you! Thank you so much.”
Before I realize what I’m doing, my arms are around his neck, hugging him tight.
It’s a grateful hug, nothing more, but…
But then he’s hugging me back, and suddenly I’m aware of every place we touch. Aware of the solid warmth of his chest against mine, of the way his arms wrap around my waist, strong but careful, like he isn’t sure how to touch me right now.
This isn’t a fake wedding ceremony in front of a judge and a witness.
This is real.
Just us.
Alone, with nothing but the warm night air and the smell of Grammercy rising all around me.
God, he smells like heaven fresh from a shower, all soap and shampoo and the intimate scent of his skin, his pheromones, his…Grammercy-ness. I can’t describe it as accurately as I want to. All I know is that he is the best, sexiest, most delicious thing I’ve ever smelled.
I want to breathe him into my bone marrow.
But obviously, I can’t. I should pull back.
Now. Ten seconds ago, in fact.
Unfortunately, my body has other ideas…
Before I know it, I’m melting into him, my breasts molding against his muscled chest as my fingertips curl into his shoulders and my nose drags lightly up his neck to the base of his ear. My skin is suddenly on fire, every nerve blazing.
His fingers splay across the small of my back, drawing me even closer as things low in my body tighten.
Damn, what I wouldn’t give to have his hands…everywhere.
Desire spreads through me like honey going liquid in the sun, slow and golden and delicious. I haven’t wanted anyone like this in so long, I’d forgotten what it felt like. The sweet ache of it. The way it rises with a roar, drowning out the whispers of common sense.
Common sense can’t hold a candle to the longing that throbs through me as we shift, and his cheek brushes mine.
If I turn my head just a fraction of an inch, our lips would touch. I could be kissing my husband again—for real, this time—in just a few seconds. All I have to do is be brave enough to risk it all.
The thought makes me dizzy.
Or maybe that’s the lack of oxygen reaching my synapses, because I’m pretty sure I’ve stopped breathing.
“I should head to bed,” he finally says, his voice rougher than usual. He pulls back, giving us both a beat to steady ourselves before adding with a tight smile, “Big day tomorrow. Early practice and press in the afternoon. Gotta get my beauty sleep.”
“Right. Totally. I’ll um…” I force a polite smile of my own. “I’ll be in in a minute. Just going to finish my beer and enjoy the view.”
“Yeah, take your time.” He stands. “Anything you need before bed, let me know. And don’t worry about locking up. The front door’s locked and the system’s armed. I don’t worry about locking up out here. A robber would have to parachute onto the deck to get in.” He drags a hand through his hair. “I figure, if they’re that motivated, they deserve whatever they plan to take.”
I nod. “Sounds fair. I’m not worried. I feel very safe here.”
“Good,” he says. “See you in the morning then, chère. Hope you sleep well.”
“You, too. And Grammercy?” I force myself to hold his gaze, even though looking at him right now feels like staring into the sun. “Thank you. For the tickets and…everything else.”
Something flickers across his face, something kind and real that makes my heart beat faster again. “Anytime, darlin’. Truly. Anytime.”
He disappears through the sliding door, leaving me alone with the glittering city and the certainty that having Grammercy Graves call me “darlin” might be the end of me.
I might expire right here, right now, on the terrace of his penthouse, undone by the force of my own joy and disbelief.