Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
“Why would you do that?” I say, voice hoarse.
She looks down, fidgeting with her clutch, and for the first time tonight, she seems vulnerable. “Because,” she says, voice so soft I almost miss it, “I thought it might finally get your attention.”
My chest implodes. “You have my fucking attention,” I say, every word a promise. “You’ve been the center of my universe for six goddamn years.” I finally admit the words that’ve been stuck on the edge of my tongue for far too long.
She goes still, lashes fluttering. “What?” Her eyes meet mine, wide and glassy, and I see everything she’s been hiding for years. We’ve both been idiots.
I slide a hand up to her face, cradling her cheek. Her skin is soft and fever-warm, and she leans into it like she’s been waiting for this forever.
I press my forehead to hers, closing my eyes. “I can’t do this anymore,” I whisper. “I can’t pretend I don’t want you.”
She makes a noise—a gasp, maybe a laugh—and her hands fly to my chest, grabbing fistfuls of my jacket. “Then stop pretending, you idiot.”
I don’t need more encouragement. I crush my mouth to hers, and the world goes white.
She melts against me, lips sweet and hungry, arms winding around my neck. I wrap her up, holding her so tight I’m scared I’ll break her, but she just presses closer, tongue tangling with mine like she’s waited her whole life to devour me. Her body is soft, every curve fitting against me in a way that feels inevitable. Like coming home.
We kiss until I can’t breathe, until her lipstick smears across my mouth and her hands slide up into my hair, yanking hard enough to make me groan. I’m dizzy with it, drunk on the taste of her, the feel of her thighs pressed tight to mine.
When I finally pull back, we’re both panting. Her eyes are huge, lips swollen, hair a wild mess. She looks like a goddess and a disaster and everything I’ve ever wanted.
I rest my forehead against hers. “You drive me fucking insane, you know that?”
She grins, breathless. “Ditto, Brennan.”
For a minute, we just stand there, clinging to each other like idiots. Then I tilt her chin up and kiss her again, softer this time, savoring the feel of her.
“Was this your plan all along?” I murmur against her mouth.
She laughs, low and wicked. “Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to see what it’d take to get you to finally kiss me.”
“Next time, just ask,” I say, biting her lower lip for good measure.
She moans—a tiny, perfect sound that goes straight to my cock—and slides her hands under my jacket, palms hot against my back.
I want her. I want all of her. And now that I have her, I’m never letting go.
CHAPTER FIVE
RONI
Nathan’s mouth is still on mine, like he’s afraid I’ll vaporize if he stops kissing me for even one second. I’m pressed against the back of his office door, lips swollen, heart hammering so hard I swear it echoes through the room. His hands are huge and gentle as they explore my body. There’s a wild, desperate edge to him now—like he’s finally let himself off a leash he’s been on for six long years.
He pulls back a fraction, breathing hard, and tucks a wild strand of hair behind my ear. “Roni,” he breathes, sending shivers down my spine.
“I’m here,” I whisper. My voice is shaky. So are my legs. I’m pretty sure if he let go, I’d collapse in a puddle of goo.
He closes his eyes, collects himself, and leans his forehead against mine. “If I don’t get you out of here right now, I’m going to fuck you on this desk,” he says, dead serious. “And I want our first time to be special.”
My brain stalls out at “fuck you on this desk.” That’s where I’m at, emotionally. Then, I realize he said, “our first time.” This is really happening.
But Nathan’s already pulling out his phone, typing at lightning speed. His hands shake, just a little, and it makes him seem less like a millionaire CEO and more like a regular, nervous human being. He taps send with a vengeance. “I’m letting Eamon know I’m gone for the night and not to bug me unless there’s a fire.”
The way he stares at me causes my face to heat, but I can’t bring myself to care. Nathan Brennan wants me. Like, wants me wants me. All the old rules are gone.
The hallways are chaos—everyone in the club seems to be celebrating, drinking, and generally being too loud. Nathan’s hand is warm and huge around mine as he steers us past the VIP bar, through a throng of half-drunk girls, and into the private elevator.
The doors slide shut. It’s just us, the hum of electricity, and the buzz of adrenaline still in my bloodstream.