Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“And now here we are.”
“Here we are,” he repeated softly.
“What’s next?”
“I have no clue. This is all against my better judgment. I’m scared shitless to ruin things with you. You’re all I fucking have that’s good in life. But rather than waste time worrying about why something that feels so right has to be wrong, why don’t I cook for you tomorrow night, and we’ll take it from there?”
My eyes widened. “I thought you didn’t make anything besides apple crisp.”
“I don’t. But I think it would be a nice gesture and a way for me to say thank you for putting up with me.”
“Putting out for you or putting up with you?” I teased, running my finger over his chin.
“Both.” He winked. “But please don’t stop putting out for me. Because now I’m addicted, and I’m most definitely going to need to fuck you again, multiple times.”
“You’re not the only one.”
His expression turned serious. “I’m actually a bit freaked out by my lack of control. I didn’t wear a condom.”
“I’m quite aware of that. The evidence is between my legs.”
“That’s not a precaution I normally forget. This is a conversation we probably should’ve had before we had sex, but I want you to know I’m clean. I had a full check-up before I left Boston, and I haven’t been with anyone since I got here.”
“Me, too. And I have an IUD. So we’re good. I wouldn’t have let you do it if I wasn’t protected.”
“Well, at least one of us was thinking with their brain. All I was able to think about was getting inside of you.”
“I wouldn’t mind an encore.” I batted my lashes.
“You think I’m gonna let you out of this bed without an encore?”
Smiling blissfully, I looked around. “Where are the dogs, by the way?”
“When I got home tonight, they were jumping all over me, wanting to play. Practically took my balls off for real this time. I didn’t want you to walk into that ruckus—I really did think we were just gonna talk, believe it or not—so I asked Benjamin if he’d keep them next door.”
“The dogs are not gonna be happy about sleeping in the guest house tonight.”
“There’s only room for one woman in my bed tonight, not three.”
“You really haven’t been with anyone since Boston?”
“I haven’t. And you wanna know something else?”
“What?”
“You’re the first woman I’ve ever slept with in this house.”
My eyes widened. “Get outta here. How is that possible?”
“Very easy. I never brought women home when I lived with my father. And there hasn’t been anyone since I’ve been back.”
“Who’s the last person you were with?”
“I was seeing someone casually, but regularly, back in Boston.”
“Casually, meaning she was desperately hoping for more, and you strung her along?”
“I never made promises.”
I stiffened. “That’s why I have to be careful with you.”
“You’re the one who has to be careful? You told me yourself that you’ve broken up with every guy you’ve dated before he had a chance to end things. I fear I’m the one on the chopping block here.”
He had a point. Only time would tell which of us would break the other’s heart.
CHAPTER 15
* * *
The following day, Dorian texted me to meet him downstairs for dinner at seven, with no peeking beforehand. He’d gone to the office today but came home earlier than he normally did. He’d sent Patsy and Benjamin home for the day, so it was just the two of us in the house.
I’d been walking around the mansion all day in a haze of happiness after last night, alternating between giddy smiling and inwardly warning myself to be careful about falling for Dorian to the point of no return. I could already feel that happening. For now, though, I was willing to get burned if it meant getting to experience more of what we’d had last night. Falling for Dorian was like the worst drug imaginable—you know it’s bad, but you’re already planning your next hit.
And he wanted to make me dinner. No man had ever cooked for me before, and given that Dorian didn’t cook in general, this was bound to be interesting.
Rummaging through my closet, I wanted to make sure I wore the sexiest outfit I could find. He liked leather, so I laid out the only other leather item I had, a black leather corset. It was a departure from my usual crop tops, but I was excited to see his reaction. I decided to pair it with dark jeans and black leather boots.
I retreated into the bath to take a shower, still not feeling worthy of Christina and Remington’s luxurious bathroom. But considering no one else would be enjoying it in my place, I supposed my undeserving ass was better than some stranger in this beautiful space.
Just as I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair, I froze at the sound of the fire alarm. A shot of panic sliced through me as I jumped out of the shower, grabbing a towel.