Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
“Yes, Rip, yes.”
“Shh, remember you have to stay quiet.”
She drags her bottom lip between her teeth. “Then, don’t stop.”
“Are you negotiating with me?” I ask her, my cock so close to coming.
“Maybe,” she says with a wink that has my heart beating double time in my chest. “Don’t stop, Ripley. Please, I need to come. If you want me to beg, I will.” And then she starts to beg, asking me to never stop fucking her. To always make her come. How badly she wants to ride her orgasm out all over my fingers. How she’ll lick them clean when she’s done.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” I tell her, knowing I’m never letting this woman go. Never.
She comes in a glorious wave of moans and her whole body vibrates as she tightens around me.
“Fuck, baby. Your mine, Kali. I own you so fucking good. Fuck,” I grunt out as my orgasm crashes through me. I can’t stop coming as my breathing picks up. I’m nearly out of breath, my heart thumping wildly inside my chest. “Baby, I fucking…” I almost told her I love her. Hell, fuck… I think I do.
16
Kali
I’m driving home in the hush of late evening, the cool air rolling through my open window and tangling in my hair. My cheeks feel warm from both the wind and the lingering adrenaline that’s rushing through my body. I can’t shake the grin tugging at my lips, no matter how many times I tell myself to calm down. The truth is, I’m floating on a cloud of happiness, and I don’t want to come down. I keep replaying the night in my head: the gentle warmth in Ripley’s eyes when he kissed me goodbye at the door, the soft hush of his house as Juniper slept, and the warmth of his arms around me. If it weren’t for his concern about Juniper waking up confused, I’d still be there.
But I understand. This is all new—for me, for him, and especially for a six-year-old who doesn’t need any extra emotional upheavals right now. That’s why I’m making the responsible choice to head home, alone, and leave him to wake up to his daughter in a stable, routine environment. Yet as I drive, my heart flutters with the realization that I’m not just crazy about Ripley; I’m head over heels for Juniper, too. She’s so full of life, curiosity, and a sweetness that melts my heart every time she flashes that big grin.
By the time I pull into my apartment complex, it’s nearing midnight. I trudge up the stairs, fumble with my keys, and let myself in. My place is dark, only a faint streetlamp glow seeping through the curtains. It feels strangely lonely tonight—like I’ve left something vital behind. I flick on a lamp, set my purse down on the sofa, and catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. My hair’s a little wild from the drive, my cheeks still pink. I look different, somehow. More alive.
I shower quickly, warm water cascading over my shoulders, and I let out a long, contented sigh. Thoughts of Ripley’s smile and Juniper’s giggles swirl around in my mind as I get ready for bed. The second my head hits the pillow, I realize there’s no way I’ll be able to sleep right away. My heart’s racing with the knowledge that I’m in love. It’s terrifying and exhilarating, all at once.
The next morning, sunlight filters through my blinds, and I wake with a flutter of excitement in my stomach. For once, I don’t mind the early hour—my brain’s already brimming with thoughts of a certain pitcher and his adorable daughter. I grab my phone off the nightstand and scroll through my notifications, half-hoping I’ll see a text from Ripley. There’s nothing yet, so I grin at my own impatience and decide to call my sister instead.
Bristol answers on the third ring, sounding a little sleepy. “Kali? Everything okay?”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “More than okay,” I say, rolling onto my back. “Bristol, you’re not going to believe this, but I’m pretty sure I’m in love. Like, crazy, head-over-heels, can’t-stop-smiling type of love.” I smile so hard. “Best part… he loves Star Wars just as much as I do.”
Her voice perks up instantly. “Oh my god, really? Ripley?”
I grin. “Yes, him and his daughter, Juniper. I’m completely smitten. Like I want to paint a big heart on my bedroom wall kind of smitten.”
Bristol squeals so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “Finally! I’ve been waiting for you to find someone you click with! And you’re telling me you love his daughter too?”
I sigh happily, sitting up in bed. “Yeah, she’s amazing. She’s so full of life, and she’s sweet, and… I can’t even explain it. I look at her and think, ‘I’d do anything to protect that smile.’ It’s crazy how fast it happened.”