Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
He groaned from deep inside, and his cock pressed into her. Boldly, she reached between them to cup his balls, then stroke his shaft. Jax broke off the kiss and pulled back to grab her hand and force her to stop. “God, no, princess. I don’t have another condom in my wallet.”
“I could just do this.” She’d never jacked off a man before, but with the way his body went rigid, she guessed she was doing something he liked.
“No. I mean, yes. You’re amazing, but I want to be inside you.” He moved her hand away from his cock. “I need to make a trip to the gift shop. I promise you, we can make love all night. Or at least until I have to put you on a plane in the morning.”
Her earlier white lie chafed. Before she could admit the truth, he said, “Condoms. Now. You want to come downstairs with me?”
“I actually haven’t eaten. So yes.”
“I’ll take you somewhere. What would you like to go?”
“Downstairs. Every night at ten, they have a pizza party in the lobby.”
“Pizza?” Disdain dripped from the word, making her laugh.
“All kinds of different choices, and they have several different craft beers that they sample. It’s the main reason I stay here.”
“It’s New Orleans. Some of the best steak and seafood places in the country are within walking distance. There’s a place on Chartres Street that serves Cajun food. Their sampler plate is divine. Gumbo, étouffée, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. If you need bread, I know a place with a great shrimp po’boy.”
“You don’t have to eat pizza. Just don’t judge my choice.”
He sighed. “You win.”
“How sweet that sounds.”
He flicked a glance toward her discarded outfit. “Do you have other clothes?”
“Yes, Jax. I brought more than BDSM wear with me.”
“Good thing, or you wouldn’t be leaving this room.”
She sighed. Not as self-conscious as she thought she’d be, she dropped the robe, then walked to the dresser to pull out a bra and fresh panties before selecting a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a motivational saying on it. Positive vibes. Positive life. Then she grabbed one of her dad’s old dress shirts. After slipping into it, she tied the tails into a knot at her waist. Finally, she added a pair of comfortable sandals. With her mussed hair and ruined makeup, she was no femme fatale.
Willow sank onto the edge of the mattress and watched Jax pull on his boots.
She’d lived with Lawrence for almost a month, and she’d been on guard the entire time, dressing in the closet, never emerging from the bathroom without something covering her. It wasn’t until now that she realized she’d never trusted him.
Which meant… She inhaled. Even if he annoyed the crap out of her, Jax was an honorable man.
He glanced up to catch her staring at him. “Everything okay?”
Except for the way she ached to touch him, run her fingers across his face, reveling in the friction of his scruff as he leaned toward her to claim a casual, quick kiss that she associated with couples who’d been in a long-term relationship. “Lost in thought.”
Still keeping an eye on her, he stood and buckled his belt. “Tell me they at least have a Margherita pizza.”
“I’ve never looked, but they have so many different options, it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t have it.”
After ensuring they had a room key, they walked to the elevator.
It wasn’t until the doors slid open that she realized that he’d distracted her with a kiss earlier instead of agreeing that they didn’t have to get married.
Since there were other guests in the car, she wasn’t able to ask him about it.
When they reached the lobby, it was to find dozens of people milling around.
“Quite the spread,” he observed.
“Isn’t it the best?” There were two tables to choose from. The first had pizzas and garlic knots. The second had desserts, all made from the same delicious dough but crafted with the hotel’s special flair. There were cinnamon rolls, an apple pie, even melted chocolate stuffed between two crusts.
This party was definitely her style, even if it wasn’t his. With his abs and tight ass, he no doubt deprived himself of all happiness-giving carbs and exercised like a fiend. Not that she minded.
“Next dinner has to be at a proper restaurant.”
“But tonight?” She raised her eyebrows. “Tonight we enjoy a gastronomic feast!” She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the first table where she shoved a plate and several napkins into his hand before selecting two ridiculously large pieces for herself.
He looked around. “Do they have salad?”
“Oh my God. Seriously?” She rolled her eyes. “Stop. They have a veggie pizza over there. And I see the Margherita one as well.” She pointed to the far end of the table. “And there’s beer, of course.”