Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I think I pulled a muscle in my butt,” she grumbled.
“Want me to rub the kinks out?”
She sighed, wishing his voice didn’t contain that husky note of erotic promise. Damn it. She couldn’t fall into bed with him. After how their conversation had ended on Friday night, continuing the fling probably wasn’t a great idea.
As if sensing her concerns, Brody let out an unsteady breath. “I’m sorry about the other night. I came on a bit too strong, and I apologize.”
She didn’t reply, just offered a pointed nod.
“I know I’m rough around the edges. I’m demanding. I like getting my way and I’m definitely not the kind of man who’s content with playing second fiddle.” He held up his hand before she could cut in. “I shouldn’t have hassled you about, you know, Doug—” he said the name like it was contagious “—but damn it, Hayden, it drives me crazy knowing there’s someone else in your life. I’m not used to sharing.”
“You’re not sharing. Doug and I are on a break.”
“There’s a giant difference between a break and a breakup.” He hesitated, frowning. “Do you think you’ll go back to him?”
“I don’t know.”
Deep down, though, she knew the answer to that question. And it probably wasn’t one Doug was going to like. But she couldn’t talk about it, not now, and definitely not with Brody.
She could tell he wasn’t happy with her answer, but instead of challenging her the way he had two nights ago, he simply nodded. “Guess I’ll have to live with it, then. And I can live with it, especially if it means I get to spend more time with you.”
“But why? What do you see in me that makes you so sure we should pursue this?” She wasn’t prone to insecurities, but she couldn’t quite figure out why this sexy man wanted her and not some supermodel.
“What do I see in you?” He leaned closer. “You want a list? I can do that. I’ll skip how beautiful you are. That’s all just superficial.”
“I’m not above superficial.”
He chuckled. “So you’d like me to start with your green eyes that have been knocking me out since the second you strolled up to that pool table?”
She bit her lower lip. “Okay.”
Carefully, he took a lock of her hair between his fingers. “Or should I start with this silky brown hair that keeps making me want to reach out and touch it?” His attention dropped to her chest. “Or these tits I can’t get enough of?”
The fingers that had been toying with her hair moved to brush over her nipples, which were pushing against the thin fabric of her dress. Her pulse quickened, every inch of skin heating under his raw appraisal.
“Or maybe these lips that keep begging me to taste them?” He brushed a thumb over her bottom lip.
Her lips parted, eyelids growing heavy, and thankfully, she was sitting down because she didn’t think she could hold up the weight of her body in her weakened state. This man was one smooth talker.
“Any of those places are fine,” she breathed.
Strong hands cupped her face. “Then there’s the intelligence that practically radiates from you. Did I ever tell you smart women seriously turn me on?” His thumbs began caressing her cheeks, and he bent to whisper close to her ear. “You’re a walking contradiction, baby. Serious and proper one moment, wild and uninhibited the next. And the more I get to know you, the more I like what I find.”
Each word softened her heart, and every warm wisp of his breath against her ear made her quiver with need.
“When I left the penthouse the other night you wouldn’t let me kiss you,” he said, his lips mere inches from hers. “I promised myself I wouldn’t kiss you again until you asked me to.”
She drew a breath, desire gathering between her legs, throbbing wildly. Then she exhaled in a fast rush.
“Kiss me,” she begged.
In an instant, his lips touched hers, unleashing a trickle of warmth that rivaled a shot of fine brandy. She moved a hand to his cheek and relished the light prickles of his five o’clock shadow. And despite his tender touch, the hardness of his chest and roughness of his cheek reminded her he was all man.
He groaned softly and deepened the kiss. She parted her lips, inviting him to explore. She wanted to surround herself in his embrace. Her father’s behavior tonight had frightened her, hurt her, but Brody’s kiss made her forget about everything except this moment, the feel of his mouth on hers, the flick of his tongue and warm caress of his fingers on her cheek.
She slid her hand to the nape of his neck, allowing the soft hairs to tickle her fingers. She took hold and pulled the kiss deeper. Each time her tongue touched his, he made a low, growled sound in the back of his throat.