Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
After all, he was the only person I thought of when I desperately needed a safe place to land. Him. It’s always been him.
I smile. “You are the only man I can imagine trusting enough to let into my life. You understand what loving someone means.”
He grabs my other thigh and pulls me closer.
“You don’t hide things from me, Luke. And I know you won’t be manipulated by terrible stories in the media and the whispers that constantly surround me.” I grin. “You’re solid as hell.”
“So, you do think we can make it work?”
“I think there’s a lot to work out. I’m unsure what that looks like, and I know it won’t be easy. But I know that I will either be alone forever or I will be with you.”
He swallows. “You’re sure?”
“No one else understands me. I don’t think they can. You knew me before all this music stuff, and no one realizes I’m still that girl. Besides,” I say, straddling him. “My heart belongs to you. You can take it or leave it.”
“It would be really awkward if I said I wanted to leave it now that you’re rubbing your pussy against my cock, huh?”
If I thought he was serious, I’d be humiliated. But there’s no piece of his words or a single feature that isn’t playful. That isn’t full of love.
“See, that was my plan,” I say, grinding myself against him. His cock hardens as my juices coat him. “I figured if you were going to turn me down, I’d make it really hard for you to resist me.”
He grips my hips and lifts his to help the cause. “I’m still not sure how I’m going to respond. You better try harder.”
I stop moving and pout. “Oh, darn.”
He chuckles mischievously.
I lift high enough to grip his cock. It’s thick in my hand—steel wrapped in velvet. Holding his gaze, I lower myself slowly onto him.
He hisses, his eyes squeezing closed as I take him in.
Once I’m fully seated, I slowly rock my hips in a circle. “Is this helping?”
“A little.”
I laugh and grip the headboard. He cups my breasts, growling as I begin to bounce on his cock.
“I thought you needed a nap and a snack,” I joke, clenching my pussy around him.
“What happened to the cold compress?”
“Come in me, then I’ll sit in a cold bath.”
His eyes fly open. “Fucking hell.”
“Right there,” I say, sucking in a hasty breath. “Pound that spot.”
He meets me move for move, gripping my tits so hard it stings. The added sensation amplifies the riot firing off inside me. Fuck, I love this.
The buildup climbs dizzyingly fast, and every cell in my body braces for the impact. My thighs shake. My core is so hot it’s as if I’m swallowing fire. The top of my head might blow.
I’m … so … close … “Fuck!”
“Ride me, baby,” he says through clenched teeth. His hands find my hips again, and he moves me up and down. “Ride my dick all the way through it. Don’t stop.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.” He thrusts into me from the bottom until his body goes taut. Then he begins to shake. “Dammit.”
I fight to open my eyes to watch him fall apart.
His head presses into the pillow, exposing his throat. A low, guttural sound escapes him. The tone scratches against my already sensitive skin, sending a second orgasmic wave tumbling through me.
I pant, my hands dropping to his chest. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me onto his chest. He struggles to catch his breath, too.
“You are quite the negotiator,” he says, chuckling.
I laugh. “Does this mean you want to try to make it work?”
“This means I’m never letting you leave my life again.”
I nestle against him. Thank God for that.
CHAPTER 17
Luke
I pull out of my driveway, taking a right instead of a left. Troy answers before I pass my mailbox.
“Castelli.”
“Hey, Troy.”
“What can I do for you, Luke?”
“I’m running to the feed store. I’ll be gone an hour, maybe. Just giving you a heads-up. Laina was doing the dishes when I left. If anyone shows up, you might just let her handle it. She’s in a bit of a pissy mood.”
Troy gives me one chuckle. One. It’s the first time in ten days I’ve heard him do anything besides relay or accept information.
“Noted,” he says. “Are you expecting anyone while you’re gone?”
“Nope. And if Gavin shows up, tell him to get his ass back to work.”
“I’ll let you know if we have any problems.”
My brows pull together. Would he really say that to Gavin? I’m not sure. I think he might.
“Well, all right,” I say, wondering if I should mention that I was just joking. “Thanks.”
The call ends.
My stomach knots like it does every time I talk to Troy. Guilt eats me alive for not telling Laina he’s here. I’ve almost told her more than once; the truth was on the tip of my tongue. But then I remember Troy’s insistence, and Anjelica’s, that Laina’s safety was on the line. And if she knew Troy was there, she might force him to leave.