Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Instead, I allowed myself the pleasure of stroking her curly golden hair away from her sleeping face, the ringlets still holding traces of dried blood. A tremor went through me as I gently ghosted my fingers over the clean bandage covering her temple, an ugly bruise rising around it. My heart thundered in my ears while I continued to gently stroke her face, dusting over her freckles, rounding down to her pouty little lips. They weren’t large, but they were perfectly shaped and begged for a man’s kiss. As usual, she wore very little makeup. I leaned closer, running my nose along the curve of her jaw, drawing her scent in.
Fucking peaches and strawberries. She smelled like a goddamn pie, and I wanted to eat her so bad, my mouth filled with saliva at the thought of tasting her. Just one small taste, one lick, one kiss against those softly parted lips.
With a growl, I tore myself away from the bed, running my hands through my shoulder length hair and clutched it so hard my scalp stung. What the fuck was I doing? I was about to kiss her while she was passed out, after she’d been attacked, without her consent. Jesus, the sweet temptation she presented drove me insane. Sweat prickled over my skin and I swore I could still smell her. When I lifted my hand that I’d touched her with to my nose, the faint hint of strawberries and peaches lingered. My already hard dick pressed painfully against my pants and I turned around, unable to resist the lure of looking at Joy from up close.
In an almost trance-like state, I approached her again. This time, I sank to my knees beside her bed and took her small hand in my own. I began to gently stroke her exposed arm with the tips of my fingers, marveling at the light golden hair, soft as rabbit’s fur, on her forearms that only added to the silky feel of her body.
I knew from watching her, Joy slept naked. She had hair a few shades darker between her legs, the curls trimmed into a neat v with her vaginal lips waxed bare. She had such a pretty, tender little pussy. Joy stirred a bit and I stopped, freezing when she opened her eyes, confusion and sleep still filling their beautiful green depths. With a slow blink she studied me, and I stared back, unable to do anything but dumbly gape at her like a fool.
A little line formed between her brows as she frowned at me. “Who’re you?”
“A friend.”
“Friend?”
“Friend.”
Her voice came out slightly slurred as she said, “Don’t stop touching me, friend. It’s nice.”
A real smile warmed me from the inside out, and I nodded. “Go back to sleep, mi amor.”
She blinked twice, her eyelids getting heavier as I caressed her arm, marveling at the sparks that seemed to tingle across my fingertips with each stroke.
“Why did you call me your love?”
I didn’t want to admit the real reason—that I’d been watching her, learning about her, and falling in love. And I sure as shit didn’t want to admit that when I looked at her, I saw a woman with so much potential, locked behind emotional shields that had turned from something that protected her to something that inhibited her growth. Joy needed a strong man in her life, someone she could trust, someone to protect her. Someone like me. I would take the time needed to nurture her, adore her, and give her the life she always wanted and the love she’s always craved if she’d just give me a chance.
She was almost asleep when her body jolted and her eyes opened up wide. Panic flooded her face, sending an ache through my chest as everything inside of me focused on her, on the unacceptable fear darkening her jade green eyes. “Hannah!”
“Shhhh, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
Her frown would have been adorable, if she hadn’t flinched in pain then touched her head. “I’m hurt.”
“Go back to sleep, sweetheart.”
“You’re nice.” Her lips pursed and she reached out, holding my hand in hers. “You’re also very big and scary, but you seem nice. And you’re hot. You’ll protect me if I go to sleep? Won’t let them hurt me?”
Unable to resist, I raised her hand to my lips and softly kissed her knuckles, satisfaction filling me as she relaxed and the fear left her face. “I swear it. Nothing will harm you when I’m by your side.”
“I believe you.”
My heart filled with pride as she visibly calmed.
The edges of her pink lips tilted slightly and her hand began to go limp in mine. I have no idea how long I knelt next to her, just watching her sleep as she continued to hold my hand. Every once in a while, I’d try to pull away, but she’d grumble in her sleep and not settle until I began to stroke her arm again. I’ve been with women, lots of them, and I’ve never denied any of my carnal desires, but Joy stirred something in me I’ve never felt, never even imagined existed. A bone deep sensation that was an odd mixture of pleasure and satisfaction, like I had the ultimate prize in my grasp.