Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
I tried to hold my emotions in check, but I couldn’t make them stop. I knew most men hated crying women, and Stone was probably horrified. “Sorry. I’m just a little overwhelmed. It’s been kind of a crazy couple of days.”
He wrapped both arms around me, and I laid my head against his chest.
“We’ll figure this out. You didn’t die, so we’ve got time to get to the bottom of it.”
I sniffed. “But I’m supposed to be protecting you. Not the other way around. I’m even getting paid the big bucks for it.”
“True.” He leaned his cheek against the top of my head. “But, I want to protect you, and not just because you saved me. I want you, Sen.”
“You do?” My mouth dropped open. “Are you saying…” I pulled away to meet his gaze, noticing the flecks of gold in his dark eyes. “…that you… really want…?”
His eyes darkened. “Do you?”
Swallowing, I nodded.
His lips were only inches from mine, and he waited a split second before lowering his mouth.
Right before his lips brushed mine, I raised my fingers to his lips. He hesitated, then pulled back. Lowering my hand, I swallowed. It took all my courage to say the words, but I needed him to know how I felt. Once he knew that this meant more to me than simply paying him back, he may never kiss me again.
“First of all, you need to know that this… what’s happening between you and me… it isn’t just lust for me.”
He brushed his fingers across my cheek. “So… this thing between us, it’s not just… a fling?”
I turned my cheek to rest in his cupped hand. “Not for me.” I took a deep breath and met his gaze. “So… if you’re not okay with that… tell me now.”
His lips twitched and his gaze bored into mine. “Damn, you’re so beautiful.” He leaned in to kiss my forehead, then my cheeks, my nose, the side of my mouth. “I’m more than okay with it.”
“Really?” My heart practically soared out of my body.
His lips moved to my neck, just below my ear, then he continued to rain kisses down the side of my neck. My breath caught, and I closed my eyes, twisting to give him better access.
“There’s nowhere…” His lips moved up to my face. “I’d rather be. Than here…” He kissed the side of my mouth. “…with you.”
My heart lurched, and I turned my face to meet his lips. His tender kiss sent my pulse racing. All my worry and fear evaporated, replaced by a haze of yearning desire. He was here, and I felt safe in his arms. I wanted this… oh, did I want it.
The kiss deepened, robbing me of thought. Desire rushed through my body, sending my pulse racing. Giving in, I climbed into his lap, pushing him down onto the couch. Lying on top of him, I pulled away to breathe, and his lips brushed against my arched neck.
Lowering my lips to his, I plastered my body against him. His arms came around me and his hands lifted my shirt, pulling it up to expose my back to the cool air. A small voice in the back of my mind sent a warning that if I didn’t stop this now, I would regret it. Then I heard my sister’s voice saying I would regret it all right, but only if I didn’t give him a chance.
All at once, Stone pulled away, breaking the kiss. “Someone’s at the door.”
A loud knocking sounded, jolting my heart with panic. “Are you kidding me?”
“You want to ignore it?”
“Yes.” The pounding kept up, and I held still, hoping whoever it was would go away.
“Serenity? You in there?”
Oh my gosh! It was Brandon. What the freak? Before I could move, the door knob jiggled but didn’t open. I could hear keys jingling and his attempts to get the door unlocked. His loud muttering that I must have changed the locks came next. Then he used a few choice curses before trying the door again.
I pushed against Stone’s chest and sat up, moving off his lap. Stone stepped silently to the window and lifted the curtain so he could see Brandon. I covered my mouth and watched Brandon’s shadowy form through the marbled glass on the door panel. He tried the knob one more time before turning to leave.
Stone stayed where he was, watching until Brandon drove away. “He’s gone.”
I shook my head and put my face in my hands. Anger and frustration flooded my veins. Could anything else go wrong tonight? I couldn’t even look at Stone. I had to face it, my life was a mess.
Here I was, worried about getting involved with a possible hitman for the mob, and Stone was probably thinking my life was a nightmare. If anything, he was grateful for the interruption.