Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70303 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
I didn’t need to know how much she’d suffered. I knew this woman loved me completely, loved me for all the good and the bad. She accepted me exactly as I was, seeing the best in me during my worst times. Walking away from her was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I never really moved on with my life because it was too difficult. She loved me the way I loved her, so she didn’t need to tell me how hard the last three months had been.
I already knew.
“And now I can feel you.” She gripped my arms tighter. “I can feel your strong heartbeat again. I can smell your scent. I’m standing in the very place where I saved your life. This apartment was home to me…and here I am again. It’s true, but I feel like someone is going to take it away from me at any moment.”
Nothing could come between us, not ever again. If someone tried to pull her away from me, I would just hold on tighter. “Never.” I moved my face into her neck, feeling her thudding pulse right against my mouth. “Your family owes me for all eternity. There was only one thing I asked for, one thing they had to hand over. That prize is in my arms now. I own you more than I ever did. You’re irrevocably and permanently mine. Forever.” I forced my arms to relax so I wouldn’t crush her under my hold. I wanted her so much that I didn’t care if I hurt her a little in the process. My lips brushed against her neck then the shell of her ear. I’d kissed her in the hospital, but I didn’t get to take my time, to treasure the feel of her lips. Her tears mingled with mine then, and while the moment was euphoric, I wanted more.
“I want you to own me…forever.” She slowly circled in my arms, turning until she faced me, one teardrop stuck to her cheek. Her wet eyes reflected the light from the ceiling, making it seem like there were stars in her gaze. She stared up at me, her hands moving over my t-shirt as they migrated to my chest. She licked her lips, tasting the salt of her own tears.
My hands cupped her face, and I stared into her eyes, my chest rising and falling with the deep breaths I took. Her hair was caught in my fingertips, her smell mixed with mine. All I wanted to do was enjoy the happiness I’d finally earned, but I had to pause and treasure the moment. It was a moment I would never forget, a moment I would still recall as an old man.
Her hands moved over my wrists, and she gripped them, her plump lips waiting for my kiss.
I could have swept her off her feet the second we were in the door. I could have carried her to my bed and shoved myself inside her without even taking off her dress. But instead of rushing into the moment of bliss, I wanted to take my time. I wanted to make it last, to give it a chance to heal both of our broken hearts.
My forehead moved to hers, and I closed my eyes for a brief moment before I finally kissed her.
Finally enjoyed her.
The second our lips touched, I felt that old spark. I felt the heat between our mouths, the steady burn from the fire in both of our bellies. Her kiss was exactly the same as I remembered, delicious and sexy. She kissed me slowly, feeling my lips in between hers before she allowed me to grip her bottom lip between my teeth. Our breathing filled the room, evolving from emotional to desperate.
Our mouths moved faster, and I cradled her face in my hands, moving closer into her body as our passion rekindled. As if this woman had never left, my desire for her was paramount. She was my fantasy, but I didn’t just want her because of the way she made me hard. I wanted her because of the way she softened my heart.
She rose on her tiptoes to kiss me more easily, so she could have more of my mouth. She gripped my shoulders for balance, and as old tears dripped down her face, I tasted the salt on my tongue.
I hadn’t kissed her like this in so long.
I wasn’t even sure if it was real.
My hands gripped her slender waist, and I lifted her up effortlessly. I pulled her leg around my waist, anchoring her to me as I carried her down the hallway and to my bedroom. The pain in my shoulder didn’t hurt me at all, not when my mind focused on the beautiful woman in my arms.
My feet tapped against the hardwood floor, and our heavy breathing filled the narrow hallway. She kissed me harder as I carried her to bed, excited to feel me sink between her legs just the way I used to every single morning and night.