Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“Stop. You’re not listening,” I whisper, threading my fingers through his hair. “I mean, I was worried in the beginning because you wouldn’t snap out of the dream and my heart hurt for you. But I knew we were safe, so I let myself…experience you.” I wet my lips. “I wouldn’t have thought it about myself, but the harder you…you know, took me, the faster that ticklish feeling in my belly spread. I don’t think you realize what a turn on it was to watch you enjoy me…so openly. It took away all my self-consciousness.”
He lifts his head, pressing his forehead to mine and staring into my eyes in wonder. “I don’t deserve you, July. You’re barely going to be able to walk in the morning.”
Heat rushes into my cheeks, a flip-flop taking place beneath my navel. “Really?” I breathe, surprised by the excitement in my own voice. “Am I this girl now? A girl who craves rough sex from her boyfriend?” I slap a hand over my mouth. “I mean, the guy she’s kind of seeing? I—”
I cut myself off because he slowly lifts his head, pins me with a look that could cut through a thick fog, his chest puffing up and down. “Boyfriend.” Before I can prepare, he’s moving, lunging to his feet and lifting me around the waist in one swift motion, throwing me down in the center of the bed and coming down on top of me—hard. I only catch a brief flash of his body before it’s flattening mine, but it’s long enough to realize his sex has become stiff again. Now it’s wedged between our bellies, long and pulsing. His forehead drops to mine, his warm breath moistening my mouth. “You’ve done it now, baby.”
“What do you mean?”
His teeth pull back in a wince, as if he’s in pain. “Call me your boyfriend again.”
“Is that what you are? Because if this is moving too fast—”
“July.”
“Okay! You’re my boyfriend.”
Theo lurches on top of me, moaning, his shaft jerking against my navel and—to my astonishment—hot spend pools on my stomach. He continues to pant and moan, his hips wrenching in tight circles, his spend dripping down my ribcage on both sides. Once the worst of the spasms pass, he snares my mouth in a deep, cherishing kiss, and he can’t seem to stop, plying me with his tongue over and over until I’m delirious.
Then finally, “I’m going to find a way to be the man you deserve, July,” he says against my lips, his gaze boring down into mine. “I’m going to be the last boyfriend you ever have.”
“And the first,” I murmur, trailing my fingertips down his sweaty back, hesitating at the swell of his buttocks, then tracing the curve of them, as well. “My first everything.”
His jaw goes slack, his lower body jerking, and more moisture drips down my sides. “Are you trying to kill me?” he huffs, his muscular frame vibrating on top of me like a car engine. “Better yet, maybe you’re exhausting me so I’m too tired to have any more nightmares.” He nuzzles my mouth, sipping at my bottom lip. “It’s hard to believe nightmares even exist in the same world as you, July.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond, before he climbs off the bed, prowling to the bathroom in all his nude glory and fetching a towel, coming back to clean me off, his brow drawn in concentration. Then I’m tucked into bed like a princess, wrapped in two strong arms, drowsiness hitting me in a potent wave, dragging me under.
Theo
Oh Jesus.
The bruises look a million times worse in the morning light.
She’s covered in them. Finger and handprints all over her pristine body.
Her throat is red from the pressure of my grip, bite marks decorating her shoulders and neck. I can’t stop the miserable sounds leaving my mouth as she gets dressed, buttoning up a blouse that covers her neck and throat.
“I’m fine, Theo.”
I can’t stop shaking my head.
Finally, I must turn away from her, unable to stand the sight of her discolored skin. Almost immediately, she comes up behind me, wrapping her arms around the breadth of my chest. I bring one of her hands to my mouth, kissing the knuckles. Those, at least, bear no marks. “I must be a monster, because I’ve done unforgiveable things to you and I know you should walk away from me.” My voice drops to a guttural promise. “But I wouldn’t let you.”
“I don’t want to walk away.”
“Thank God,” I say on an unsteady exhale. “I’m going to make sure you don’t regret that decision. Starting today.”
Her fingertips stroke up and down my chest. “What do you mean?”
“I’m going to take the mandatory therapy sessions. I’m calling my buddy to make the appointment as soon as I get the chance. I’m not going to be careless with you, July. I’m going to fix what’s broken, before I…break you.”