Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Walking around the empty space, she stops to look out the windows. Her hands press to the glass and she looks around at the neighborhood. She looks damn good taking up that real estate. When she turns back, she’s smiling, but it’s soft like her delicious curves. “You’ve always been quite the romantic.”
“Only for you, V.” I hold my hand out to her. “Come here. I want to show you something.”
I lead her to the master bedroom. Just inside the doorway, she halts in surprise, a hand covering her mouth as her eyes get glassy. “Hardy.”
“Virginia.” I had to have a little fun.
“You did this for me?”
“Yes.” I’m quite proud of myself. Finding a mattress company to deliver on the eve of New Year’s Eve was tough, but that’s what is so great about this city. You can find anything you want at any hour for the right price. Money talks. Fortunately I’ve got enough to hold the conversation.
She walks to the bed and sits on the fluffy blanket that matches hers. I thought it would make her feel more at home, more relaxed, and comforted. Battery-operated candles fill the floor along the far wall and I rigged some drapes into place this afternoon. I hate to be fucking blinded in the morning. And if all goes according to plan, we’ll be sleeping late.
I have a bar cart set up with bottles of water, liquor, some snacks, and a bucket of chilled champagne. It’s New Year’s, which means celebrating, which means champagne. I pop the cork as she slips off her shoes. I want those damn shoes on, but I want her in bed naked more. “This place is beautiful and what you did in this room . . . Hardy, you’ve stolen my heart.”
When I sit next to her, I say, “I don’t want to steal your heart. I just want to be a part of it.”
“You’re more than a part. You own the whole entire thing.”
We kiss and then toast, “To us.” Simple. Sweet. And uncomplicated. Just like the woman before me. After we take a sip, I set the glasses on the floor, and cup her face. “I want to make love to you.”
Her hands cover mine, and without hesitation, she says, “I want that too.”
Languid lips become eager as I move my hand to the back of her head, holding her close. The fire ignited at the party flames the passion that’s burning within. Kissing her is one of my favorite pastimes, but I wonder if it will be the victor after tonight. Our tongues touch, but our hands are tentative. I whisper, “I’ll go slow.”
“Okay.” She doesn’t use her inside voice, her nerves peeking through.
A kiss to the cheek, and then one to the neck. I run my hand over her dress and slide just inside the bottom hem. And then farther until we’re both panting. When I don’t reach any more material, my eyebrow matches lower extremities—shooting straight up. “No underwear, Ms. Ryan?”
“I was hoping to get lucky.”
With a laugh, I say, “Let me know how that works out for you.” I stand and bring her to her feet. While I work on removing the tux, she pulls her dress down, finding a new place for it to live, right next to my jacket and her shoes. The temptress winks at me. “So far. So good.”
“You’re telling me.” Her oh so criminally dangerous body climbs under the covers and with her hands behind her head, she watches me undress. Without apology and no nerves in sight, her eyes roam my body and her bottom lip is bit.
Finally, I have all the pieces off and get under the covers with her. Instead of something sexual, which is more my M.O., seeing her here and just being with her, I say, “I’m glad you’re here.”
The ease is seen in her smile when she replies, “So am I.”
Maneuvering closer, I kiss her again, letting her linger on my lips. I move lower kissing a wet trail down between her breasts and stopping to swirl my tongue in her belly button.
When I reach the sweetness between her legs, she’s already gripping the sheets. “You don’t have to do that, Hardy. You’ve been more than patient with me.”
I look up, resting my hands on her hips. “I’m in no hurry, Virginia. I can wait until you’re ready.”
“I’m ready. I don’t want you to feel obligated to do all this for me. You don’t.”
“Who says it’s only for you?” A smile rolls in, and my job here is done. Oh wait, now I smile because we’re just getting started.
“I might have just fallen more in love with you.”
“Well hang onto your heart because it’s about to get a whole lot swoonier in here.” I not only spell the presidents’ names, with my tongue to her clit, but within minutes she’s screaming mine. And just fuck, that’s so damn hot.