Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
In a city as large as New York, Skye still couldn’t believe that she’d run into Tripp, but in the aftermath of many pleasurable orgasms she was glad she had—though it wasn’t just about the sex, but that connection she still felt with him. Being comfortable around Tripp and the fact that she trusted him implicitly, as a friend and a lover, was a nice feeling after being so cautious and reserved around men since her divorce.
It had been much too long since she’d experienced the kind of desire and need that Tripp so effortlessly coaxed out of her, and the entire night with him had been nothing short of amazing.
Sex with Jack, especially once they were married, had turned into a chore. Anything physical between them had been all about him taking what he wanted, even if it made her uncomfortable, and giving very little in return. He’d treated her like an object, devoid of thought or feeling, reducing her down to little more than a possession. At first, it had been easier to just go through the motions than deal with his snide remarks, his verbal abuse, and the belittling that made her feel flawed and inadequate.
Pleasing Jack, in any aspect of their marriage, had been impossible, and eventually she’d made excuses not to be touched—which hadn’t gone over well with him at all. But he’d been a master at gaslighting and emotional manipulation, turning any situation around on her and making her question her perception of reality, until she’d operated at a heightened level of anxiety and was always apologizing for shit she didn’t do. He’d accused her of cheating, of being paranoid, and isolated her from friends and family.
He did it all to gain power and control over every aspect of her life, and for a woman who considered herself intelligent and self-aware prior to meeting Jack, she’d somehow fallen into his trap until she’d discovered his affair. She’d had irrefutable proof and confronted him, and of course he’d tried to make her feel responsible for the fact that he’d fucked another woman.
This time, she hadn’t backed down from their heated argument, or his intimidating stance. That show of defiance had pissed him off even more, and he’d shoved her against the wall and punched her in the face so hard she’d seen stars. It had been the first time he’d hit her. The first time anyone had laid a hand on her in violence, and there had been no apology or remorse. But that slug in the face was more than enough to make her finally take a hard look at her life, her turbulent two year marriage, and just how shattered and broken she’d become.
That weekend, she’d packed up her things and left—though he hadn’t made the separation and ensuing divorce easy on her. No, for a while he’d stalked and harassed her, until she had a restraining order issued against him, then moved to New York to put a safe, physical distance between them, as well.
Skye rolled to her back on the soft bed and exhaled a deep breath, expelling those darks thoughts that had no business being in her head after her unforgettable night with Tripp. He was all she wanted to think about, and as she replayed the evenings provocative festivities in her mind, that awful twist in her stomach dissipated and a genuine smile gradually replaced her somber mood.
More soft clanking sounds from the front of the apartment piqued her interest, as did the alluring scent of coffee and bacon. Breakfast beckoned her grumbling stomach, and she moved off the bed, still completely naked. Seeing the white dress shirt Tripp had worn yesterday draped over a chair in the corner of the room, she put it on, taking a moment to bury her face in the fabric and inhale the heady, masculine scent that clung to the material.
Despite numerous orgasms and the many different ways Tripp had fucked her, arousal pooled low in her belly, as if her body was programmed to respond just to his smell alone. She padded into the bathroom, took care of business, and as she washed her hands she noticed a toothbrush sitting on the vanity, still in its store packaging.
The thoughtful gesture warmed her, and she brushed her teeth then ran her fingers through her hair, doing her best to bring some order to the disheveled mess. She caught sight of a faint discoloration on her neck, a hickey Tripp had obviously given her at some point, and grinned at her reflection. She hadn’t had a hickey, well, since the last time he’d marked her with one.
As much as she liked the feeling of him claiming her, she had every intention of keeping her head on straight about last night’s hookup. Most importantly, she didn’t want to lead Tripp on in any way, because she wasn’t looking for anything serious or a committed relationship. Being tied down to a man wasn’t a part of her future plans, especially since making the decision to have a baby on her own . . . a process she expected to start in the next few months.