Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“I understand.” I watched as she relaxed against me, taking a deep breath.
“I didn’t want you to resent me for my feelings. I just felt off at your game and saw what you could do, not who you are. I guess I thought you could hurt someone if pushed enough.” She slipped an arm around me.
“I am guessing that my possessiveness didn’t give you a lot of relief from that, both at the restaurant as well as your show.” I smiled as she chuckled softly.
“Pretty much. Diana also has made it her mission not to let me feel threatened in any way, though she thought Lucas was doing the right thing that night. As much as she wants to protect me, she also doesn’t see what I need. I’ll settle this with her,” Elyse told me, sounding drowsy. I considered getting her more tea but decided to let her rest instead. I felt her as she slumped against me, and her breathing evened out before I let out a long sigh I’d been holding in.
We were going to be okay, and I’d make damn sure Elyse was from this point forward.
I settled her on the couch to get some water and use the bathroom, looking at the pictures as I wandered back to the living room. There were several of her with Tori and other friends, but just a handful of any images featuring a smaller version of Elyse and a woman who she strongly resembled, her mom. There was immense love there, and my heart hurt for the girl who was breaking down my walls. Her dad was also in a few pictures, but the look in his eyes was evident. She had few people to support her through her horror, and I walked to the couch to look down at her.
Elyse was so beautiful as she slept. I saw some peace in her face and let out a long breath as I considered where this was going. I’d slept with her several times but never felt like she was letting me inside all the way. Maybe that was different after tonight. I wanted it to be, not for more sex just on its own but because she meant a lot to me.
A lot.
I pulled Elyse back into my arms. I’d let her sleep if needed and stay like this all night if need be. I had a morning practice, but I’d make it through. She ended up waking up about an hour later and shifted in my arms with a groan.
“Did I fall asleep on you?”
“It’s fine. You were exhausted, love. I don’t have to be anywhere until tomorrow,” I assured her as she looked at me. “I’ll stay like this all night if you need me.”
“I think I’d like that.” Elyse licked her lips, and I watched her as she weakly smiled at me. She pressed forward and touched my lips with hers gently, making relief flood my veins. She was everything that I wanted. I didn’t push for more, willing to give her control at this moment. I was hesitant to get too rough with her as I had been before and even regretted that now.
The kiss deepened within a few moments, and her soft moans made me want to pin her down on the couch. I resisted the urge and let her claim my mouth with long, hungry kisses. She moved closer and I held her in place, loving the taste and the scent of her. We stayed like this for a long time before she moved to straddle me, making me groan her name against her lips.
“Baby, we don’t need to do this,” I smiled. I stroked her hair back and gazed into her eyes to see a raw need.
“I’ve felt so wrecked the last few days. Make me forget that, Ryder. Give me something to release it all.”
I looked at her and slipped my hands over her ass to kiss her harder, pulling her against my needy cock.
We made love hard that night in her bed, but I kissed her softly as I took her. She wanted me that way, and I made sure of it, but I kept making sure that she was okay. Elyse cried out my name as she tightened around me, and I moved slower, trying for a few more thrusts before I finished.
I kissed her again, moving over her jaw before pulling out. I went to the bathroom to deal with the condom and returned, lying beside her to pull her into my arms. She smiled at me in the light from the moon and leaned against my damp chest.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I think I need to thank you. That felt incredible,” I assured her as her hand stroked my neck. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. The night of the showing was so bittersweet for me. I wanted to be there with you and have you see what I might be. We ended up so off.” There were tones of regret in her voice, and I smiled to myself.