Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
"Goddamn, butterfly," he rasps, gripping my ass in both hands to boost me up into his arms. "My dreams don't even compare to the real thing. You're so fucking soft." His lips touch the side of my throat, his rough stubble a delicious counterpoint to their softness. "So sweet." He bucks his hips into mine, the ridge of his erection pressing against my sex.
I jolt in his arms, sobbing his name.
"Oh, you like that, huh?" His wicked chuckle is my undoing.
I should stop this, stop him…but I don't. I don't want him to pull back. I don't want to lose the feel of his arms around me, his body sheltering me, his lips and hands on me. I want to drown just like this for a while longer.
"Please," I plead. "Please, Teo."
He rocks his hips into mine again, his lips against my ear. "Take what you need, butterfly. Pretend you're alone in your bed, dreaming about me. We both know you still do, don't you?"
I dig my nails into his shoulders, refusing to answer that question.
"I dream about you every fucking night. It's always you on my cock. You, letting me taste that perfect pussy." His tongue wraps around the shell of my ear. "It's you, screaming my name while you shatter around me."
Oh, my god. That mouth…
"Every fucking night, in my dreams, you're in my bed where you belong, Nadia." He rocks his hips into me again, nipping my ear at the same time. The dual sensation sends me careening over the edge without warning. I gasp his name, shattering with a tiny cry.
"That's it," he breathes, nuzzling my throat. "You say sorry by falling apart in my arms just like this, butterfly."
I lift my head, trying to scowl at him. Apparently, I don't succeed because he chuckles, pressing his lips to my forehead.
"Be pissed again in a minute, baby," he says quietly. "Just let me hold you now, all right?" It's not really a question. It's a plea, as if he needs this more than he needs his next breath.
I should tell him no. We need to talk. But…I've never been good at telling him no. My whole damn life, I was never very good at that. So I simply nod and rest my head against his shoulder.
He sighs quietly, wrapping his arms around me. "Christ, I missed you."
Tears sting my eyes. I missed him, too. So damn badly. But he's the one who broke us. He's the one who broke me.
So why have I always felt like the one who did everything wrong?
Chapter Six
Teo
"You told the press that we're dating," Nadia says after a few minutes. But if she's mad about it, I don't hear any traces of it in her voice. That's soft and curious.
I hang onto her for another minute, not speaking. Not ready to let her go yet. Christ, I'll never be ready to do that. Maybe I'm an asshole for making her come against the wall in a recording studio. Maybe I'm an asshole for most of the shit I do. I don't fucking know anymore. All I know for sure is that I'll never be over her. I'll never be ready to move on. And I need her to forgive me.
I need her back in my life. Not because I expect her to fix it or because that's her responsibility—I don't, and it isn't. But because the only way my life makes sense is with her in it. The last time I was happy—truly happy—was when she was in my arms, telling me she loved me. I haven't had peace since then. Doesn't fucking matter that we were young. I knew when I was thirteen that she was my future.
I spent every damn day trying to be worthy of her, looking out for her, ensuring she didn't fade too far into the background. But as we got older, it seemed like she was so focused on my dreams that hers fell further and further off her radar. I was fucking worried that she was sacrificing what she wanted when it was always supposed to be the other way around—I was the one supposed to be taking care of her.
When she decided not to graduate early, I knew I'd failed her. I've been failing her every damn day since. How do I even begin fixing that? I don't fucking know. But I have to fix it. I can't spend another six years without her in my life. Hell, I can't spend another goddamn day without her. She's always been my reason, my purpose. Football was something I did to pass the time, to ensure I'd be able to support her without relying on my family. I'd give it up in a second for her.
"Teo?"
I brush my lips across her forehead and then reluctantly pull back, allowing her to slide to her feet. Once I'm sure she's steady, I take a step back, trying to give her a little space. I'd rather keep her in my arms for this conversation, but I'm guessing she's not going to feel the same way.