Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50869 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
“Don’t hold back now.” He gives me a playful smile that has the embarrassment that was rising pushing right back down. “Not everyone hops into bed right away. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. You want a connection.”
“Yeah,” I admit, taking another sip of my drink when the flight attendant refills it. “I’m worried that’s the part I’ll be terrible at. I’m already so behind at this point. And two, I think I’ll be one of those girls that connects sex and love strongly to each other. Then I’ll be all clingy.” I groan at the thought.
It’s not because I wouldn’t want to be clingy. I just don’t want to face the judgment that comes with being that way. Though, right now I’m finding I don’t give a crap, but I’m pretty tipsy at this point.
“There isn’t anything wrong with that. My brother fell in love in a few short weeks. When you know, you know.” He says it with such confidence. “And I promise you, gorgeous.” Caldwell leans closer. “You won’t be bad at it.”
I lick my lips. “You think?”
“I know.”
“How?”
“That’s easy. Because I know you’re not plain, prude, boring, or cold, and I can prove it.” I don’t get a chance to ask how. Caldwell presses his mouth to mine. His hand goes to the back of my neck, cupping me there, effectively holding me in place. The action is small compared to the effect it has on my body. He wants me, and he wants to make sure I’m not going anywhere.
I part my lips when his tongue licks along the seam of my mouth. I moan when his tongue touches mine. He tastes of mint and earthiness.
I kiss him back. This is my first kiss, and I’m going to get my fill. With each second, the kiss grows hungrier, and the need to be close to him is overwhelming. I suck his tongue before biting his bottom lip. He lets out a low groan that rumbles from him before he suddenly jerks back, leaving me in a daze and gasping hard for air.
“Sorry,” I whisper. I’d taken it too far, and he was merely kissing me so that I could see there is passion inside of me. There is, but I don’t believe it’s only the kiss; it’s him. But I’m still shocked at how I’d returned it. I don’t think it’s the drinks either.
“Don’t ever apologize for that.” The insistence in his eyes has me shifting in my seat.
“You stopped,” I point out.
“I was two seconds from pulling you into my lap.” He gives the back of my neck a squeeze, reminding me I’m still in his hold.
“Oh.” I lick my lips. That doesn’t sound bad to me.
“Not here, gorgeous.” He keeps calling me that, and I kind of love it. Who am I kidding? There is no kind of about it.
Chapter Four
CALDWELL
Mable tastes as innocent as I thought she would. I watch her as she sleeps. We’d talked for another couple of hours before she dozed off. She was past tipsy, which I will be using against her when she awakens. There isn’t enough time for her to sober up before we land, at least that’s what I’m hoping.
I know it’s a dick move, but I’m desperate. How else am I going to get her to stay with me? I’m having everything planned as though she already is. This little nap gives me a chance to fire off a few messages. I want the suite I requested to be arranged in a way that makes her feel welcome. I’ll pull out all the stops if I have to.
I had my assistant check around, and he reported back to me that there aren’t any hotels above three stars that have an available room. That might be enough to persuade her to stay with me, but I’m not chancing it. There is no way in hell that I can let her go now.
Plain, my ass. Mable is fucking breathtaking, and I know there will be attention on her. I can’t fathom her roaming around in a hotel alone. Is it rational? No, but it appears Mable isn’t the only one doing things out of their norm.
When I realize that we are close to our final descent, I order her another glass of wine before I begin to wake her up. I don’t want to. She’s angelic with her thick lashes resting on her round cheeks.
“Hey, baby.” I stroke her cheek with my thumb, making her eyes flutter open. Mable blinks a few times before jerking to sit all the way up.
“Oh God.” She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Tell me I wasn’t drooling.”
“You weren’t drooling.”
Mable narrows those expressive eyes onto me. “Are you just saying that?”
“No.” Not this time. If she had been drooling, I wouldn’t have told her. I don’t need her getting shy or embarrassed on me right now. “I ordered you a drink. We’re going to be landing soon.” Mable’s face softens, and a smile appears.