Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
"My mom has leukemia," Emelia whispers.
"I heard about that." I place my hand over hers on the table. "Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, right?"
"Yeah. She was diagnosed when she was eleven. She's fallen out of remission more than a few times over the years." Her lips tremble. "She didn't tell my dad until she accidentally got pregnant with me because she didn't want him messing up his career for her."
"I'm sorry, babe."
"Me too," she says softly. "It worked out for them in the end, but it hasn't been easy for her. He makes it easier."
"Your family is important to you, aren't they?"
"Yeah, they are." She smiles up at me, her expression soft. "They mean everything to me."
"Then you know how much you'd sacrifice for them. I'm the same way, Emelia. I didn't go pro so I could fuck around. I went pro because it was my turn to take care of them." I tip her head up. "I don't care what kind of athletes you're used to dealing with, I'm not them, babe. I'm not going to break your heart if you give it to me."
"I…" She stares at me for a long moment and then nods slowly. "Fine. I'll give you a chance."
"Yeah?" I grin at her, my heart thumping unevenly. "You mean it?"
"Yes, but—" she holds up a hand— "I was serious about not mixing business and pleasure, Royce. I can't date you and be your publicist at the same time."
"Fine. Then we won't discuss work when I'm kissing you."
"Royce!"
"Emelia."
Her growl turns into a soft laugh, her scowl slipping. "You're going to be the biggest pain in my butt, aren't you?"
"Absolutely," I growl, dipping my head until my lips hover an inch above hers. "And you're going to fucking love it." I linger there for a moment, just long enough for her eyes to go glossy, and then I swoop, claiming her lips in a scorching kiss.
I taste her surprise and the hint of wine on her lips, and feel the way she tries to keep her mouth stubbornly closed before surrendering on a soft moan. My tongue slides against hers, and she melts. She's all soft, reluctant surrender, and wild, biting sweetness as her hand fists in the front of my jacket. Her nails dig into my chest like she's trying to claw her way in.
I want to let her.
One of my hands stays at her jaw, angling her face so I can go deeper, slower, rougher. The other drifts down, over the delicate arch of her collarbone, along the slope of her breasts, before settling over the frantic thump of her heartbeat. I linger there a second, feeling it race for me, before sliding my hand between her legs. I cup her pussy through her dress, confident no one can see what's happening back here.
She sucks in a shuddering gasp, melting against me.
"This and your heart are going to be mine, pretty baby," I murmur, giving her one more desperate kiss before I pull away. "I'm not backing off until I have both."
She whimpers my name, her voice shaking. "You're a madman, Royce Elliot."
"I know." I grin, trailing my hand up to her hip. For her, I intend to be completely fucking wild.
Chapter Five
Emelia
"You really didn't have to follow me all the way home, Royce," I murmur, leaning up against the side of my car when he saunters up the driveway toward me with his hands in his pockets. He looks too damn handsome in his suit.
"Yeah? How else was I going to find out where you live, babe?" He stops in front of me, crowding me up against the car with a devastating smirk.
"You could have asked," I point out.
"Where's the fun in that?" His hands find my hips, pinning me in place. I know I should put a little distance between us, but I don't want to do that. Frankly, he's making it impossible not to like him and his over-the-top personality. I don't think the man knows what slow means. He moves at the speed of light, sweeping everything in his path along with him.
I kind of like being swept for once. Usually, I'm the one calling the shots, making the plans, and deciding what happens. With him, tonight, I've just been…swept along in his force field. It's nice.
"What are the odds of you kicking my ass if I kiss you again right now?" he asks, his gaze locked on my lips in a way that has my whole body clenching.
"Try it and find out," I whisper, my voice a little breathless. I can't help it! My lips still tingle from where he kissed me in the restaurant. My panties are soaked, too. I want his lips on mine again, stealing my sanity like it's his job.
He doesn't hesitate. One hand slides up to cup my cheek, the other pulls me against him. His kiss is all wild hunger and possessive intent, like he needs to brand me with his taste right now.