Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“I like it. It suits you.”
“I think so, too, but I’m hoping that soon I’ll be able to find a place in a better neighborhood.”
She started the coffee, and I leaned against the counter, watching her move through the kitchen. As I stood there, it felt so familiar, almost like I’d been there a hundred times before. She gave me a nudge as she said, “You’re being awfully quiet over there.”
“I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“How easy this feels.”
“It does. Doesn’t it?”
Her eyes locked on mine. That small spark between us, the one that had been there since the night we’d met, caught again. Slow and steady. I reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, and the air shifted. She didn’t step back.
Neither did I.
And right there, in that tiny kitchen, it was clear where the night was headed, and I couldn’t have been more ready.
8
LAKEN
Things were moving fast.
Possibly too fast. But that didn’t stop me from wanting him.
God, how I wanted him. His sense of humor, his sexy smile, and that body that made my pulse race were just too hard to resist. He shifted his stance as he looked at me.
I knew what was coming and glanced away, then, unable to resist the temptation, I looked back at him. He towered over me as his eyes roamed seductively over my lips, and I could only sit there frozen with excitement and anticipation.
I couldn’t remember ever wanting anything more than feeling his lips against mine, and the waiting was pure agony. I should’ve been patient, but I couldn’t help myself. I inched closer, leaning towards him, but he never made his move. Instead, he just stood there staring at me with lust-filled eyes.
Without thinking, I mumbled, “Is something wrong?”
“Just thinking about whether or not I should kiss you right now.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
His eyes sparkled with mischief as he replied, “Don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Cause if I start…” his dark eyes flickered with hunger as they dropped to my mouth, “I’m not sure I’d be able to stop.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to stop.”
“Laken,” he whispered slowly, prolonging each letter of my name as if to savor them. His eyes locked on mine as he leaned forward, but just as his lips were about to touch mine, he stopped. My lips parted, and our breaths mingled. The electricity crackled between us, making my entire body hum. I eased forward, trying to close the distance between us, but he quickly leaned out of my reach.
I looked up at him with disappointment.
He paused, not to refuse me, but to appreciate the moment before he slipped his hand behind my neck and pulled me forward, crashing his mouth against mine. His lips were soft and full as they covered mine. It was like they were made just for me.
His warm, wet tongue ran across my bottom lip as his hands snaked down my back. They were strong and assured as he pulled me closer to him. His touch. His scent. His taste. Everything about him made my entire body tingle with desire.
I longed for this moment. It was all I could think about every time we kissed. It felt so good, so right, to be in his arms. My fingers raked through his hair as I moaned against his mouth.
Without warning, he leaned back, breaking from our embrace. “You have no idea how incredible you are.”
I watched in wonder as he lowered his mouth down to mine, kissing me softly, so gentle and sweet. His scent circled around me, a mix of cologne and fresh leather. Just being close to him enthralled all my senses.
As soon as I brought my hands up to his chest, the kiss changed, becoming more intense and heated. Goosebumps swept across me as he delved further into my mouth, exploring every inch with his tongue.
His fingers dug into my hips as he pulled me closer to him, forcing a light moan to vibrate through my chest. The bristles of his beard lightly scratched against my skin as he took complete control. My body ached for him, burning for more as he claimed me with his mouth. My hands began to roam over his chest, gliding over the bulging muscles of his abdomen.
I wanted to touch his bare skin, feel the heat of his body pressed against mine, and I couldn’t wait a moment longer. I started to tug at his shirt, pulling it over his head. Once it was off, our hands became frantic, quickly removing the clothes that separated us. In just a few seconds, I was wearing only my lace bra and panties.
“Thatch?” I whispered.
His eyes were focused on my almost naked body, and my heart fluttered when I noticed the hunger in his eyes. “Thatch.”
It was barely a whisper, but it was enough. A faint growl escaped him as his mouth settled over mine again. His hands slowly eased behind my back to release the clasp of my bra. As the fabric slipped away from my body, I felt his lips glide across my skin to my breast. Lust consumed me as the wet heat of his mouth engulfed my nipple and began to gently suck.