Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” she whispers.
“Baby girl, I don’t want to hide how much I love you. You’re not a dirty little secret.”
“I need some time. If we’re going to do this, I need to make sure that you’re not going to leave me again.”
“Never.” I drop my hands and pull her into a hug. Her words finally register. I pull back and peer down at her in my arms. “You giving me another shot, baby?”
She nods. “I love you too, Roman.”
My knees wobble. Somehow, I manage to move us to the couch, where I pull her onto my lap and kiss the hell out of her. My tongue explores her mouth as if it’s the first time. She meets me stroke for stroke. I don’t rush this. I savor every swipe of her tongue against mine. The way she grips my shoulders, and the feel of her ass beneath my palms, where I hold her on my lap.
I lose track of time, getting lost in my girl. When we finally break apart, I feel rejuvenated yet exhausted at the same time. “Can you do something for me?” I ask her.
“What’s that?” Her lips are red and swollen, and my heart feels like it’s too big for my chest.
“Can you come home with me? I didn’t sleep at all last night. I need to sleep, but I need you close. I just got you back, and I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”
“Forrest will be gone until six or so.”
I nod. “I don’t care if he knows, Emerson. I never did. My fear was for your relationship with him. I love the guy. He’s my best friend, but there will never be anyone in my life who I’ll put before you. Never. So, you lead us. You tell me when you’re ready, and we do it. No backing out, no breaking up. It’s me and you.”
“Me and you.” She nods.
I can tell that she’s still uncertain. It’s going to take time for me to prove to her that losing her is not something I’ll ever do again.
Never.
“I can set an alarm. Can I park in your garage?”
“Yes.”
She nods. “Okay.”
“Okay.” I kiss her again.
“Rome, you have to let me go if we’re going to your place.”
“Can you ride with me?”
“You know I can’t.”
I nod. I fucking hate it, but I agreed to let her lead us. “Fine. Let’s go home.” Her mouth falls open when I call my place home, but I pretend not to notice. She climbs off my lap and I stand. “I’ll go ahead of you.”
“Probably best,” she agrees.
“Be safe, baby girl.”
“You too.” I kiss her cheek and force myself to walk out the door without her.
As soon as I get home, I pull my truck to the side of the driveway and open the garage door. My truck is too tall to fit inside, but it’s perfect for her car. I pace back and forth until I see her car. I guide her in and quickly hit the button to close the garage door, before rushing over to open hers. I lace our fingers together and lead her inside. We don’t stop until we get to my room. I close the blinds to block out the sun, and quickly strip down to my boxer briefs.
“You don’t have to,” I tell her when I see her chewing on her bottom lip. She’s trying to decide whether she should strip too. I know skin-to-skin contact with me is her favorite.
“I want to.”
I nod. I don’t push her either way. This is her call. I just want her in my arms. She could wear a fucking parka for all I care. I just need to hold her.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see her getting undressed. She leaves her panties on, moves to lock the bedroom door, and then comes back to the bed. I hold the covers up, and she climbs in next to me.
I don’t hesitate to pull her into me, wrapping my arms around her. “Fuck, baby girl, I love you. Thank you for giving me this. I won’t let you down. This second chance, it’s everything. You’re everything.”
“I love you too.” She rests her head on my chest, and just as soon as she does, she sits up in bed. Tentatively, she reaches out and rubs her hand over my new tattoo. “Wh—When did you get this?” she whispers.
“The day you were supposed to come home for spring break.”
“Where did you find this?”
“It was in a pile of papers on the desk. I knocked them off by mistake and this is what I found. I knew I had to have it. It reminds me of our date under the stars.”
“Because it is,” she says. She looks at me with tears in her eyes.