Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
I kiss his cheek and hand him my phone. “I’ll tell you when to press play.”
He glances at the screen. “This is my favorite song.”
“It’s one of mine, too.” Because of him. We danced to it at Dred and Connor’s wedding.
I move to stand in the middle of the room before I kick off my shoes and pull my dress over my head, leaving me in panties and a bralette. I bought them when I went shopping with the girls a few weeks ago and decided to wear them tonight.
“God, you’re stunning.” Flip’s eyes move over me on a hot sweep that I feel everywhere.
I give him my back and toss a wink over my shoulder.
He chuckles. “You’re too saucy for your own good.”
“You love it.” I pull my hair into a ponytail.
“I absolutely do,” he agrees.
I move into position. “You can press play, now.”
My phone is connected to his portable speaker, so the music fills the room and flows through me. It’s such a pretty, soft opening. Awareness makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I spin, and our eyes lock. The intimacy of being on display like this for only him ignites a deep, primal desire to be his in all ways.
His eyes move over me, reflecting the longing I feel, along with unquenchable desire. Everything changes—the shift irrevocable. I’m falling for him, for what we are, for what we could be. I’m scared, but I’ve never felt more alive.
He watches me hungrily, as I become the music, the emotions washing over and through me. I could do this all day just for him. I close the distance between us as I shift into an arabesque. He reaches for me, and I adapt the end of the routine, spinning into his waiting arms as the final notes sound.
“How was that?” My heart pounds as I try to recover my breath.
Flip gazes at me with such admiration, my knees go weak. “You are simply exquisite.” He stands and lifts me off my feet, wrapping my legs around his waist. “It’s an honor to be yours.”
I run my fingers through his hair as he carries me across the apartment. My already unsteady breath leaves me entirely as we enter his bedroom. Hundreds of candles illuminate the space (the kind with batteries, lesson learned), and pink rose petals dot the dark blue comforter, which is pulled back to reveal teal sheets.
“Phillip.” It’s a question enrobed in hope.
He moves to the bed, freeing my hair from the tie before he lays me down and stretches out over me. He traces the contours of my face with trembling fingers. “I don’t have expectations, Tally, but I won’t deny you anymore.” He kisses me. “I can’t.”
He’s so earnest, eyes soft and full of yearning. I press my trembling hand to his cheek. “You want me?”
“Always, Tally. Every minute of every day, you consume me.” He turns his head, kissing my palm. “I want you to be mine, and I want to be yours.”
The weight of his words settles in my heart. This is really happening. “I want this part of me to be yours.”
I’ll be his in every way. I understand why he was so intent on waiting. It feels right now, like we’re connected deeply, wholly and completely. I’m sharing a special piece of myself with him, and he’s doing the same for me.
He folds back on his knees, hands sliding up my ribs, fingers dipping under my bralette. “I’m going to take this off now.”
“And then I can help undress you?”
“I would love that.” He carefully eases it over my head, discarding it on the floor.
I shift so I’m on my knees with him and start on his shirt. He watches me with the same intense desire as he did when I danced. And I savor every moment, tucking each one into my heart as a precious keepsake. We kiss and touch as we bare ourselves to each other. Both of our hands shake, with nerves and desire. I want it, but it terrifies me, too. He already has my heart, and this will connect us irrevocably in the most intimate way.
When we’re both naked, Phillip gathers me gently in his arms and kisses me, our tongues gilding, skin pressed to skin. Need courses through me as he eases me back on the rose-petal-dotted comforter. I revel in the weight of his body as he settles between my thighs. His hips press into mine, erection thick against my lower abdomen. His kiss is reverent and unhurried, fingers moving gently over my heated skin.
Soft strains of music float in from the kitchen—my favorite dance playlist. I’ll forever associate the music with this special, life-altering night.
He shifts until he’s lying beside me. “We’re going to take our time, kitten.” His fingers glide down my body, skimming sensitive places. “I want every moment of this to be special for both of us.”