Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“I shouldn’t have asked you to do that.” I bite down on my bottom lip while moving my head to his bare chest. He runs his fingers through my hair, never wavering on the hold he has on me.
“Do you regret it?”
“No.” A few heartbeats pass before I whisper, “Do you?” I hold my breath waiting for his reply. It comes immediately.
“Never.”
“We said we were just friends.” It’s a reminder not only for him but for me as well.
“Friends can kiss.” His facial expression gives nothing away. I don’t know what he’s thinking other than the fact that he seems to be defending our actions. I’ll take that as a mark in the win column.
I lift my head so that I can look him in the eye. “Do you kiss all of your friends like that?”
“Like what?” Finally, there’s a slight tilt to his lips, and I know he’s messing with me.
“Like you need them to breathe?”
His eyes darken at my words, and I want to grin that I’ve shocked him and maybe even turned him on a little, but I contain it.
His heated expression simmers as his eyes soften. Lifting his hand, he pushes my hair back out of my eyes. “No. Just one. She’s special.”
Hot tears well behind my eyes, so I avert my gaze and rest my cheek back on his chest. He has no idea what his words do to me. I want to be special to him. I want to be his someone. I see what my brother and Shayne have, and I want a love like that. I want it with Chad, but that’s not what we agreed to. He’s in California, and I’m in Ohio. Two worlds, so close yet so far apart.
“She’s beautiful. Dark brown hair and these big green eyes that could convince me to do anything she asked. She’s a tiny little thing but full of fire and grace. And her name, well, it’s a token of who she is. I know that I can trust her with my life. Maybe even someday, if all the stars align, with my heart too.”
My heart races, and blood whooshes in my ears so loud I can’t hear anything but the steady thrum. I snuggle in closer, and Chad, always knowing exactly what I need, holds me tighter. He wraps those strong arms around me, and I want to beg him to never let me go.
Finally, when I feel as though I have my emotions under control, I once again lift my head and find his eyes already there.
Watching. Waiting.
“She’s you, Faith,” he says, his voice low and gravelly. I nod, not able to speak. “Tell me what you need?” He runs the pad of his thumb beneath my eyes as if he knows I’m battling tears that threaten to fall.
I swallow hard. “You.” My voice cracks. “More kisses, and for tonight, can we just… can we maybe pretend that we didn’t make a choice all those months ago in that hotel room that has us keeping each other at arm’s length? Can we pretend that you don’t live a plane ride away from me?”
He rolls over to his side so that we’re eye to eye. His body is aligned with mine, and his arms hold me close. “I’ll be anything you need, Faith. Anything.”
Mine.
“Kiss me,” I murmur, closing my eyes. Not willing to witness the look in his eyes if he changes his mind. Only he doesn’t change his mind as our lips connect. It’s his warm, soft lips ghosting over mine. I settle into his embrace and allow myself to get lost in him. In his rough, calloused hands as they slide beneath my shirt and the way my leg finds itself snuggled in between his. The feel of his tongue exploring my mouth and the way his other hand is buried in my hair, holding me to him as if he’s fearful I might disappear.
His hand slides up and slips beneath my bra strap. “Tell me to stop,” he whispers against my lips.
“Don’t stop.”
Please don’t ever stop.
He growls, and my entire body shivers as need races through me. “Faith.” My name is a plea from his lips.
“Just for tonight,” I counter. “Pretend with me. Just for tonight.” I’m begging him to give me this. To give us this night. I don’t know what it means, but I know I need more of him. More than just kisses. I want to feel his hands against my skin. I want to be able to explore him like I’ve dreamed of. I want him to explore me too. I just hope that he wants the same thing.
“I’m not strong enough to tell you no.”
The look he gives me tells me he’s not going to. He wants this. He wants me.
“Good.” I smile as I kiss his jaw. “Just for tonight,” I say, kissing toward his ear.