Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22762 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“Everything is little compared to you,” I say softly. “Not that I’m calling you a giant or anything. Just—”
“I’m going to kiss you,” he says, cutting me off, and that's all the warning I get. It is in no way a question because I barely comprehend his words before his mouth is on mine.
Booker’s lips are soft, and it’s a surprise compared to how hard the rest of him is. His mouth moves against mine, and I close my eyes, unsure of what I'm doing. His hand comes up to cup my jaw, and he tilts my head back. He deepens the kiss, and then I feel his tongue sliding right into my mouth. It’s intense and overwhelming, but my body heats with every wave of pleasure. I’m clearly not as experienced as he is, so I’m tentative at first. His possession is taking the winter chill away, and I give in to it.
“Knew you’d taste sweet,” Booker says against my lips.
He doesn’t taste sweet. No, he somehow tastes like a cool clean man with a hint of mint.
“Booker.” I breathe out his name, pushing my body into his. I’ve gotten one taste, and already I need more of him.
“Fuck, you’re lighting up for me with only a kiss.”
“More,” I moan, my fingers firmly grasping the front of his flannel in an effort to make sure he can't pull away. Not that I could really stop him, but I don't think he wants to.
“You want more?” He intensifies his kisses while his hands reach for my hips. He begins to lift me, and I let out a small scream as a surge of pain shoots through me. "Fuck," Booker says, releasing his grip and stepping back. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, sorry.” My hand goes to my hip. “I hurt myself the other day. It’s still sore.”
“Show me,” he orders.
“Right now?” I glance around because we’re still on his porch. No one is around, but it’s cold out here.
He grabs me by the wrist, leading me into his house and to the living room area. I glance around, wanting to see his home, but Booker is too distracting. He starts pulling at the coat I’m wearing and stripping it off me. He goes for my top next, pushing it up.
“Hey,” I protest and wonder what the heck he’s doing.
“Hold it up then.” His tone is so firm that I follow his order, lifting my shirt to expose my stomach and hips.
“Booker!” I gasp as he snaps the button of my jeans and inches them down.
“What the fuck happened?” he barks, but his touch is gentle as he brushes his fingers over the bruise.
“It looks worse than it is,” I say, and it’s true. It really hurt the first day, but it’s fine now as long as I don’t bump into it.
“This happen at the diner?”
“Yeah, I, ah...” I lick my dry lips.
“Don’t lie to me.” Dang, am I that easy to read? “Out with it. All of it.”
“When I was cleaning up toward the end of the shift, someone startled me, and I fell.”
“Startled you how?” he asks. I swallow, and Booker’s eyes appear darker. “Sabrina.”
“They smacked my ass.” I blurt it out to get it over with.
“Who?”
“Does it matter?” Most of the people in town are jerks to me. If it's not one person, then it's another. There isn’t anything that Booker can do about it.
"Yeah, it fucking matters!” he bellows, and I jump back, startled by his anger. My father always had a temper, and anything could set him off. “Shit,” he curses under his breath.
The silence looms over us, but this time, however, I don't attempt to fill it.
Chapter Eight
Booker
“I’m sorry, I—” The words are stuck in my throat as I stare at the bruise. “I’m not angry at you, Sabrina. I’m angry that someone touched you.”
“Why?” She looks genuinely perplexed as I try to rein in my anger. I can see how much it scared her.
“Because you don’t belong to them. Any of them.” I look her in the eyes so she doesn’t miss a word of what I have to say. “This town blames you for the sins of your father, but you’re not like him. I know because I see you, little star. I see how you always take the high road when they tear you down and how you’ve done nothing but give back to the place that hates you. And it enrages me that someone thinks they have the right to put their hands on your body.”
“And you do?” She says it in a way that’s not challenging, but it’s like she’s testing me to see what my reaction will be.
There’s hardly any distance between us, but I loom closer, needing her to understand how serious I am. “Oh little star, we both know how you felt about my touch.” I reach up and trace my finger along her cheek, and I see the way she shivers in pleasure. “If you want me to stop, all you have to do is say the word. But if you let me, I’ll make sure that my touch is the only thing you’ll ever need.”