Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Yesterday, when she curled into herself because I was too harsh, I wanted to punch myself, so I focus on keeping my tone soft instead of snapping an order at her. “Don’t do that when you’re with me.”
Laurie’s eyes flit to mine, and an emotion I can’t place ripples over her face before she says, “I want someone who’s truly happy that I exist.”
Lifting my hand, I brush my fingers along the curve of her jaw and lean closer. “You have that now.” With our gazes locked, I make sure she hears me. “I’m fucking ecstatic you exist and didn’t just remain a figment of my fantasies.”
Her expression softens, and she tilts her head. “Or maybe you’re just a figment of mine, and when I wake up from this crazy dream, you’ll be gone.”
That tells me all I need to know. Laurie is not averse to me at all. She wants me and everything I have to offer her, but only needs to come to terms with it.
“Okay,” I lean a little closer. “If this is your fantasy, what do I do next?”
Her eyes lower to my mouth before darting to the mug. “It’s my turn for–”
She wants me to kiss her.
I shoot up, and lifting her onto the island, I shove her legs open and step between them before grabbing her behind the head and crushing my mouth to hers.
It’s the easiest thing on this fucking planet to live up to her fantasy as I devour her lips and get lost in the feel of her tongue.
My woman just wants to be cared for and made to feel like she’s seen.
Fuck, do I see every breathtaking inch of her.
My phone rings, breaking the moment, and letting out an annoyed growl, I free her mouth and rip the device out of my pocket.
Seeing Augusto’s name, I groan internally.
Here we go.
I swipe over the screen. “Hey.”
“You’re fucking married?!”
“I was about to call you.”
“Fuck, Adriano. I thought Remo was talking shit. I’m your best friend. Why did I hear about this from your brother?”
“Again. I was about to call you,” I mutter.
My phone begins to buzz as message after message comes in, and it beeps with waiting calls.
“I’m going to kill Remo. Did the fucker tell everyone?”
“Yes. He blasted it in a group chat to the family.”
“That little fucking shit.” I brush my thumb over Laurie’s bottom lip, my eyes drifting over her flushed face. “I’m busy giving my wife attention right now, but we’re having a barbecue this weekend. My mother will send you the details.”
“Okay. But I’m going to punch you when I see you.”
“Fair.”
Setting my phone to silent, I drop it on the island before framing Laurie’s face and nipping at her lips again. This time I keep the kiss slow, just enjoying the feel of her breaths mingling with mine while memorizing every inch of her mouth.
By the time I lift my head, she’s in a trance, the sight of her glazed-over eyes making me smirk.
That’s more like it.
I brace my hands on either side of her hips, and face-to-face, I ask, “If we had met under normal circumstances, would you have liked me?”
“Huh.” She blinks as she comes out of the daze.
When I repeat the question, she pushes against my chest for me to step back before she jumps off the island. “It’s my turn for a question. Do you always cheat?”
“Is that your question?”
“No. I already know the answer.” She crosses her arms over her chest while looking me up and down as if she’s inspecting me, then lifts her chin and asks, “What’s your biggest fear?”
“I only have two. Losing my family and being too late to protect them.” Wanting to share more with her, I say, “A few months ago, I almost lost one of my best friends. He was taken and tortured, and when we found him, he was hanging from a balcony on the second floor, about to fall to his death.”
I leave out the part that he was holding little Simi. Seeing a four-year-old in such danger even scared me.
Laurie pales as her lips part. “Jesus.”
“That day was the fastest I’ve ever run. We managed to pull him to safety in time, but for one terrifying moment, I thought I was going to lose him.”
“Is he okay?” she asks, genuine concern on her face.
“Georgi is more than okay, for which I’m fucking grateful.”
She exhales a relieved breath. “Oh, that’s good to hear.”
Seeing how big Laurie’s heart is, that she can show concern for one of my friends, I fall deeper in love with her.
“Now answer my question. If we had met under normal circumstances, would you have liked me?”
A stunning smile splits over her face, all self-conscious and shy with a little flirt thrown into the mix. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”