Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 69(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 46(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 69(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 46(@300wpm)
He’d learned early on what sort of behavior led to expectations and what kind didn’t. Having Kate in his bed meant something. Last night she’d blown. His. Mind.
It was still dark. The sun hadn’t yet come up, the skylights remaining dark. Without thinking, he began another slow seduction, wanting to experience more of what she’d so willingly given last night. He woke her with lazy kisses on her neck, and soon, she was squirming her backside against his aching dick until he was going crazy with need.
He rolled her over and immediately poised himself at her entrance, finding her already slick and ready for him. As he slid into her, a low groan rumbled from his throat, and an accompanying shudder shook her smaller frame.
“Perfect,” he said and she arched against him, pulling him deeper.
Her eyes were half-mast, still hazy and sleepy, but her body contracted around him, wide awake. She moaned, obviously enjoying. Nick was past enjoying. He was completely taken over.
He’d brought her here to prove he wanted her, to show her what they could share together if she gave them a chance. He’d learned something too. To hell with Faith or any other woman in his past or any he came across in his future.
Kate was it for him.
He moved inside her, feeling the ripple and clench of her inner walls gripping him tight, and his eyes nearly crossed at the sensation. She bent her knees, and he thrust deeper, wanting to get as close as possible because she already owned his heart.
“Nick,” she groaned. “Oh, Nick.”
He clenched his teeth and let himself go, bringing them up and over the edge together. He collapsed on top of her, catching his breath for a few minutes before rolling to the side and pulling her into his arms.
“I told you we’d be explosive,” he said against her skin. His last thought before falling back to sleep was that they might need more time as a couple, but he couldn’t feel any more for her if he tried.
When he woke again, his bed was empty, and Kate was gone. “Shit, shit!” He threw the covers off and pulled on his jeans, leaving them unbuttoned as he went to find her.
The silent house and no sign of her clothes on the floor caused his stomach to churn but he checked the rest of the house anyway. The bathroom was empty, and so was the kitchen.
She couldn’t have walked, he was too far from her house or town. But how had he missed the sound of an engine pulling into the driveway? Easy. Sleeping beside Kate had lulled him into a false sense of security. Now, the morning after, he recognized his mistake in not talking things through with her before he took her to bed.
Did he go talk to her immediately or give her time to think? Nick was at a loss, so he opted for a shower before dealing with the stubborn woman who’d snuck out of his bed.
* * *
Kate called Faith, who picked her up from Nick’s. But her friend hadn’t spoken a word to Kate the entire ride home, clearly unhappy. Kate wasn’t thrilled with herself at the moment, but she hadn’t been able to help prevent the full-blown panic attack that sent her running from Nick’s bed.
Faith stopped the car in front of the garden apartment where Kate lived.
“Thanks,” Kate said, not meeting her friend’s gaze.
“We need to talk.” Faith finally broke the silence.
Kate turned in her seat. “I just need some time alone to think. I’m not ready to talk about it yet.” Not when last night was so fresh—and beautiful—in her mind.
That was exactly why she’d run. She couldn’t let herself believe in the magic of what she and Nick had shared. The pain of what awaited her on the other side was too big and scary.
Faith blew out a breath of air. “If I’d run from Ethan instead of embracing the scary, would I be as happy as I am today?”
Kate shook her head. “That’s not the same thing. Ethan always loved you, even when he didn’t know it.” He’d even told Tess as much.
“Whether or not that’s true is irrelevant.” Faith braced her arms on the steering wheel. “What’s important is that when I came back here, nothing in life was going my way, remember?”
Kate nodded, unable to dispute that statement.
“And if I’d let my past dictate my future, I’d never have opened my heart to Ethan because I’d have been sure he’d hurt me as badly as my ex-husband had. Right?”
Again, Kate forced a nod.
“So explain to me why, when a man goes so far as to have you kidnapped to get you to his house, wines you, dines you, and then I’m guessing makes mad, passionate love to you… Why would my educated, usually smart and savvy friend would convince herself he doesn’t mean it?” Faith’s voice rose along with her obvious frustration.