Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
My hands roamed across his broad, wet chest, feeling his muscles tighten as he continued to claim me with his mouth. I loved the feeling of his hands against my body. The taste of him against my tongue. The scent of his cologne. Every miniscule detail about this moment would be locked away forever in my memory.
After several moments, he released my mouth, and I eased the door open. As I grabbed a towel, he told me, “I’ll be out in a minute.”
After a quick nod, I stepped out, and dried off. While he finished showering, I went back to the bedroom and got dressed. I’d just finished putting back on my pants when he stepped into the room wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, and my God, he was a sight to behold.
The muscles on his chest were perfectly defined and lined with intricate tattoos, and he had a six-pack that rippled down to his oh, so sexy V. Add in his wet, tousled hair and panty-melting eyes, and you have an absolute dream of a man. “It’s just not fair.”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed and enjoyed the view as Quinton started getting dressed. As he put on his boots, he asked, “You hungry?”
“Yeah, I could eat a bite. What do you have in mind?”
“I’m thinking it’s time you try my famous pasta.”
“Um-kay. Are we going to have this amazing pasta at your place or mine?”
“Yours. I just need to drop by the store to grab a few things first.”
“I think we can manage that.”
He grabbed his keys from the dresser, then took my hand in his and led me out to the parking lot. Since we had to get groceries, we took my car and headed to the store. Once we’d bought all the ingredients he needed for dinner, we drove over to my place. I helped Quinton carry the groceries upstairs and put them on the counter. “Okay, what do we need to do to make this famous pasta of yours?”
“There is no we.” He leaned over and kissed me on the temple. “I’m making dinner for you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Now, go get comfortable and find something to watch on TV.”
“Okay. Just let me know if you need a hand.”
He’d already started cooking when he mumbled, “Um-hmm.”
Seeing that he was intent on cooking alone, I did as he’d requested, and I went over to the sofa and looked for a show to watch. I felt a little strange just sitting there while Quinton was in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove, but at the same time, I found it extremely endearing.
I’d never had anyone in my life who was so kind and thoughtful. I’d also never been with anyone who’d rocked my world like he’d done earlier. I won’t deny that I liked the way things were going with us.
I liked it a lot.
At the same time, it scared the living hell out of me.
I’d spent years living in fear. I’d been called names and threatened. I’d had knock-down-drag-out fights, had bones broken, and wounds I thought would never heal. I’d spent nights pleading with the Lord to put an end to it all—even if it meant ending my life, but when it was all said and done, I stood strong. I hadn’t let them break me.
I’d survived.
But I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to survive Quinton. If things ended badly—if he broke my heart, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to move past it. I was caught in the crossfire between my head and my heart, and I had no idea what to do about it.
It was a thought that had me looking over to the kitchen, and as I sat there watching Quinton work so hard to make me a nice dinner, I knew I would never be able to walk away from him. Heart be damned, I was going to let the cards fall where they may.
My focus was still on him when he glanced over his shoulder and said, “You’re supposed to be watching the TV. Not me.”
“But I like watching you more than some silly movie.”
“You better be careful, or I might think you like me a little.”
“Oh, we can’t be having that.” I giggled as I told him, “What would the neighbors think?”
“It would be quite the scandal.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“That’s good, 'cause you’re kind of stuck with me.” He lifted the bowl of pasta as he said, “At least until dinner is over.”
“I think I can handle that.”
“Well, in that case, get your cute ass over here and make yourself a plate.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
I walked over, and with Quinton’s help, I made us both a plate. He followed me over to the table, and we spent the next hour talking as we ate his incredible pasta dinner. When we were done, Quinton helped me clean up the kitchen, and then we went over to the living room area and piled up on the sofa.