Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“This might sting a bit,” he says.
“What is it?”
“It’s a disinfectant,” he replies. “You rubbed the skin around your wrists pretty raw.”
I wince as he applies the ointment, gently rubbing it into the abrasions on my skin. But the pain quickly ebbs, replaced by a cool sensation. After that, he delicately wraps bandages around my wrists, using small clips to cinch them snugly.
“That okay?” he asks.
“Yeah. It’s good,” I say with a small laugh. “Wow. You cook, you clean, you tend wounds, you’re a regular hero—”
“ Just, ‘regular’?”… I sigh. “No, I’m no kind of a hero.”
I raise my hand and lay it against his cheek, staring deep into his honey-colored eyes. “You saved my life, ‘TIPCI’. Several times. And you didn’t do it for any kind of reward. You did it because it was the right thing to do,” I say. “That’s the definition of a hero.”
“Hey, what, tipsy? I’ve not had even one drink… um, maybe one.” I pull back and look at her. “Think you need a lie down, baby”
“No, no, I decided my nickname for you is ‘TIPCI’ — it stands for: Thoughtful. Intelligent. Protective. Caring. Intense. That’s you, Burke”
“TIPCI, an anagram, eh? Well, you can call me whatever you like, baby. If you love it, then so do I, and I’m sure it’ll grow on me. Just don’t label me a hero.”
I scratch my head and then add, “And let’s just keep the nickname private, between us, would that be OK with you?”
“Of course, my dearest TIPCI, maybe it’ll even become my safe word. If I ever need one. That or… caramel macchiato.”
He lowers his eyes and shakes his head as he puts his antiseptic back into the box and closes it. Burke is clearly uncomfortable with the idea that he’s a hero, which is kind of adorable. But it’s true. He’s a hero in my eyes. My hero.
Laying my hand against his cheek again, I force him to meet my eyes. And when he does, my heart swells so large, it feels like it might burst. My desire to tell him just how much I feel for him is almost overwhelming, and I have to swallow down the words that are sitting on the tip of my tongue before they spill out.
Unwilling to speak the words and choosing to continue hiding my feelings, I do the only thing I can. I lean forward and press my mouth to his. Burke’s lips part and I slide my tongue past his teeth, savoring the sweet, smoky taste of the bourbon he’d been drinking. He pulls me to him, engulfing me in his arms, and I lose myself in his kiss. His velvety soft tongue swirls around mine, my head spins and my entire body tingles.
Pulling away from his kiss, I stand up. Keeping my gaze fixed on his warm, honey-colored eyes, I loosen the tie, shimmy, and let the robe drop. It pools at my feet, and I stand before him naked. Honestly, I’ve always been self-conscious about my body. I’ve never been comfortable in my own skin. Not like him. But Burke drinks me in from head to toe, his eyes flash with desire. He stares at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. Like I’m a living work of art.
His gaze is intense, and it makes my stomach turn somersaults. My heart beats wildly, and I feel myself growing uncontrollably wet. The insides of my thighs are slick with my desire. With my need. I may not be able to tell him how I feel, but I can certainly show him. Taking his hand in mine, I gently place it on my breast.
A small smile touches his lips as he gives it a gentle squeeze, and I gasp as he leans forward and flicks his tongue over my stiff nipple. Burke pulls me to him, gently caressing and kissing my breasts, then lets his hands explore my entire body. I quiver beneath his touch, the fire in my belly grows hotter by the moment.
Burke stands up and kisses me so hard, it takes my breath away. I feel his passion. His emotion. And the weight of all the words between us that remain unspoken. In that kiss, I feel what he feels for me, and it makes my legs tremble so hard that I feel like I might fall. But he scoops me up and gently lays me down on the bed. My lips part a little as he climbs on top of me, bracing himself on his arms above me.
He kisses me again, and I melt into him, parting my thighs and wrapping them around his waist. Burke pulls back and stares into my eyes, and it feels like pure electricity passes between us. My entire body tingles, and my skin’s aflame. I gasp as he nestles the head of his cock between my lips, then presses forward.