Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
I ball my fist and pound it against the tiles. I’ve never felt more helpless in my life. Not even when I was starving and trying to get my foot into the right doors.
“It’s okay,” Cee’s soft voice coos.
I look down at her small hands that glide up my chest. I close my eyes. I must be dreaming. That or the alcohol in my system has taken me for a trip.
“Gregor,” she calls, causing me to turn in her arms.
I open my eyes to look into hers as they search mine. She brings her hand up to cup my stubbled jaw. I close my eyes again as I turn to kiss her palm.
“If this isn’t a dream and you don’t want me to touch you, you should leave,” I say tightly.
“It doesn’t have to be a dream. Instead, let’s be in the moment. You said I won’t open up. This is me trying. You need me and I need you. Let’s just be,” she replies.
I open my eyes and we lock gazes. Uncertainty radiates from her orbs. I hate seeing it there. Knowing as much as I value my word as a man, I’ve let her down and she has reason to be wary of me, cuts deep.
“But you know that’s not enough for me,” I warn. “You can’t give me a taste and tear it away.”
“Let’s be honest. You never intended on letting me go,” she scoffs. “You’ve only been trying to see what pieces you can salvage and put back together.”
I dip my head to place my forehead to hers. It doesn’t go unnoticed that she’s allowing her hair to get wet. It’s already starting to curl into those tight red ringlets I love so much. I put my arms around her waist, tugging her closer to me. I inhale her as if I can suck her into my own being.
“I don’t exist without you. I barely breathe. Say the word, Cee. Tell me that you’ll open up and let me in, not for only one night. Drop the shield and allow me to mend what I’ve broken. I’m here and I’m trying.
“Say yes and I’ll take care of the rest. I’ll make it all right again piece by piece. Say it.”
I lift my head to look into her gaze. There’s so much turmoil there. I know I’m asking for a lot, but it’s time. I’ve tried the more patient approach and it didn’t work.
“I’m asking you to trust me, Chlo. I’ll take the lead if you trust me. I only want to make you happy. Trust me.”
Her lips tremble and tears spill over. I move my hands up and down her back, not in a sensual way, but to comfort her. She places her hands on my chest and nods.
“Okay,” she whispers.
“That’s not what I asked for. I need to hear you say it,” I reply.
She narrows her eyes at me and for a split second, I think I’ve pushed too far. She tilts her head, moving her body closer to mine. She glides her fingers up my chest, over my shoulders, locking them into the hairs at my nape. Tugging my face closer to hers, she allows her breath to fan my lips.
“Yes,” she breathes.
I take her lips the moment the word is out of her mouth. It’s like air to a man that’s been freed after being buried alive. I devour her in one deep gulp. The groan I release comes from my toes.
I feel our connection with every cell in my body. My scalp tingles. I sip from her lips and savor her handing herself over to me. Reaching behind me, I wave my hand over the panel to shut the water off.
Bending my knees, I dip and wrap my arms around her thighs to lift her onto my waist. I don’t break the kiss. Inhaling her is giving me the strength to not just surge into her body.
I’ve been waiting too long for this not to cherish her in my bed. I need to reacquaint her with why we crave each other. We used to spend entire days in bed, while I gave to her body, and she took from mine.
She locks her fingers into my hair as she clings to me and whimpers into my mouth as I climb onto the bed and gently place her on her back. I break the kiss and look down into those big eyes.
Fear radiates from her glance. It’s my mission to erase that look. With my eyes still on hers, I lower my head and kiss between her breasts.
“I love you.”
I palm her large mounds and drop another kiss on her soft skin. Her lids close as tears slip free. My heart tightens, but I remain determined.
“I love you,” I say the words again.
She gasps in a breath as her body shudders. Moving back up her body, I take her lips. Our tongues meet and dance against each other’s as our connection deepens. I breathe her in.