Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
When our bodies warm, the blankets roll off his back. Every muscle in his arms, his back, and his chest is hard. It’s so sexy to watch him push into me over and over again. Kisses on my mouth lead to kisses on my neck. He moves so smoothly that he never loses contact. “So good, baby. So goddamn tight.”
His words are treats that I feed off, his body so strong that I leverage mine against him. But the admiration in his eyes, the appreciation falling off his tongue sends me spiraling.
Reaching the peak of my pleasure, I arch my back, my nipple clipped by his lips, and his fingers tease me until I tumble into the abyss. “Ah, so . . . yes.”
I hold him to keep from falling forever, but then he jerks, his breath punctuated in my ear. “Poppy, fuck. Yes.” My name and his pleasure mingle together as he falls with me.
Pushing another moan on the last of my trembling arches, I fall flat on the bed again as I reach for reality. “Laird,” I whisper, my body sweaty against his. “Laird,” I exhale.
The weight of the world presses down on me, and I savor every second until it becomes too much. I kiss the side of his head where the ends are wet from his own sweat, but not to tell him to move. Right now. Right here. I’d sacrifice myself for the gratification of holding him as he returns to me. I tighten my arms, proving it, and whisper, “This will always be one of my favorite memories.”
18
Laird
I’ll be nothing more than a memory to her?
“I don’t want to be a memory.” I push up and drop to Poppy’s side, keeping my eyes on hers.
“I didn’t mean anything by it.” Twisting to her side to face me, she runs her fingers down my cheek. “Just that I’ll always remember this—”
“Fuck.” I squeeze the bridge of my nose, realizing my words are prisoners to her condition. I could lose her. I could lose her before she knows the truth because I can’t fucking say anything to her.
Not about Austin.
Not about the proposal.
Not even about me.
I should be glad she’ll remember me this time, but it’s not enough. Frustration consumes me, replacing the good and how amazing I felt.
With her hand coming to rest on my chest, on the star that we share, she says, “I’m sorry, Laird. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t upset me.”
Even in the dark, I can see her eyes widen. “You sound upset.”
“I’m upset at myself. Not you.”
A hint of frustration leaks from her exasperated sigh. “What does that even mean?”
“It means that I want to be with you.”
Her expression softens, her fingertips tapping on my lips, and then they are replaced with a kiss. “You are with me.”
“When we leave.” I can’t believe I’m saying this. I’m not even sure I should. It just feels too good in her presence. She looks at me like I can do no wrong. That’s all I’ve done since I left Austin. Fuck up my life. Poppy is my chance at redemption. “We’re supposed to have days, but I know life doesn’t work that way. So before the distractions and life creeps back in, I’m telling you that I want to see you after Deer Lake.”
“You say it as if Deer Lake is all we have.” Shaking her head, she uses her fingers to doodle across my skin again. “We’ll always have this place, but it’s not all we are.” She slides closer, tangling her legs with mine until I’m holding her tight in my arms. She places one kiss on my shoulder.
I kiss her head.
She kisses higher.
I kiss her forehead.
Our lips meet in the middle.
“Who are we, Poppy?”
“You’re the guy who stopped to help me when my car died.” Her cheek is pressed to my chest, and although she can hear the thunder of my heart, I don’t mind. I want her to know how she makes me feel.
“You’re the woman who got jealous when a server put her hand on me.”
“Ha!” She balks in laughter. “I wasn’t jealous, but her excessive touching was inappropriate.”
A chuckle rocks my shoulders. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, baby.”
“You help me sleep at night.” With her hands stroking my shoulder blades, she kisses my chest.
I kiss the top of her head, wondering how long we’ll be able to remain like this. If it were up to me, it would be forever.
She whispers, “Can I ask you something?”
“Is that the question? The answer is yes.” I grin, seeing her smile in response.
Giggling, she tucks her head still wrapped up neat as a present in my arms. The laughter fades, and silence sneaks in. The quiet doesn’t bother me, though I’d rather not give my thoughts the space to stray. That only leads to second-guessing what’s right in front of me, the gift I’m being given, and if I’m doing the right thing. For her. And not just for me.