Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
“It’s what life is about at the end of the day. What we love, who we love … that’s what gets us up in the morning,” he’d whispered in my ear, and I’d held my breath waiting for him to tell me he loved me.
But now I knew that he was waiting for me to make that move, not because he was playing games but because he didn’t want to scare me off.
“I want you on here somewhere,” Baird suddenly whispered.
My gaze flew from tracing his ink to searching his dark eyes. I swear I nearly melted to the floor at his meaning. “Really?”
He swallowed hard and nodded. “I already know what I want.” He pointed to his left pec that was free of any ink. “Violets, for the color of your eyes, with the letter M entwined in them. Right over my heart.”
Emotion choked me. “Are you sure?”
He cupped my face in his big hands, bringing his nose to mine. “You are forever for me, Maia. Permanently tattooed on my fucking heart, whether I get it done in ink or not.”
“I love you so much,” I gasped on a slight sob.
Baird squeezed his eyes closed as if in pain. Then he pressed his forehead to mine, his reply rough with feeling, “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear that.”
“I’m sorry I made you wait.”
“Och, don’t you worry, gorgeous. It was worth every agonizing second.”
“You always say the most perfect things to me.”
“You make it easy.” He brushed his mouth over mine, and I sighed into the tender kiss.
Then his fingers tickled my stomach as he pulled gently on the cropped camisole I’d worn tonight. We broke apart so I could lift my arms as he pulled it over my head. His nimble fingers plucked off my strapless bra next. As soon as it was gone, Baird wrapped his arms around me, crushing my bare breasts to his chest as he kissed me with a deep but slow, tender passion.
Baird kissed me like I was cherished and precious, and I wanted him to feel that in return. I reached up onto tiptoes, pushing into him as I wound my arms around his neck and curled my fingers into the soft, thick hair at his nape. Our tongues met in sweet, languid exploration.
He guided us back toward the bed but didn’t break the kiss even as we laid down on it. Finally, we broke apart, panting, and my belly swooped with arousal as he lifted me with ease into the middle of the bed.
Holding my gaze, Baird moved to kick off his shoes and unzip his jeans. I shivered at the fierce, possessive look on his face. My hungry eyes traveled over his six-pack, to that miraculous V-cut of his obliques that I loved to explore with my tongue. His cock sprang free from his jeans and boxer briefs. I licked my lips possessively. Because every inch of Baird McMillan belonged to me too.
“I want you bare tonight …” There was a question in his gruff words.
I’d gotten my health check, but we hadn’t yet had sex without a condom. I didn’t know if it was because Baird was being extra cautious or if he was waiting for me to suggest it. Now I realized he’d been waiting for me.
“I want that too.”
I tingled with anticipation as he kicked off his jeans and underwear and then bent over to slip off my high heels. He reached up to unzip my wide leg trousers. My nipples peaked into tight buds, my stomach muscles fluttering as he yanked down my pants, along with the barely there lacy knickers.
I didn’t know why I bothered with nice underwear because Baird took very little time to appreciate it before he whipped it off me.
He braced his hands on either side of my hips, his greedy eyes lingering between my thighs before climbing my body. The muscle in his jaw clenched as he drank in my breasts and then when his gaze reached my face, my breath stuttered.
There was such longing there mingling with the lust. Longing, lust … and love.
I realized then he’d been looking at me like that for weeks. Maybe even months.
Baird loved me.
A tear escaped down my cheek before I could stop it, and I reached up to flick it away.
“Good tears?” Baird whispered.
I nodded, my lips trembling.
In answer, he pressed a reverent, sweet kiss to my stomach, and I threaded my fingers through his hair as he trailed his knuckles across my belly and up toward my breasts. His touch was gentle and claiming at the same time as he stroked my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples. I arched my back as he trailed kisses down my stomach toward where I wanted him most.
I groaned in need as Baird moved back upward instead. I could feel his cheeky smile against my skin as his beard and lips sent my senses into overload. Wanting my mouth again, he kissed me until I was breathless, then his lips moved down my chin in a path of affection along my throat and breasts.