Total pages in book: 262
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
A hostile takeover.
“Oh?” Ana tilts her head, her gaze demanding answers. I debate whether to tell her.
Hell, she knows everything about Elena anyway. I take a deep breath and shoot her a warning look. This is rough, Ana. “Several years back, when I was twenty-one, Linc beat his wife to a pulp. He broke her jaw, her left arm, and four of her ribs because she was fucking me. And now I learn he posted bail for a man who tried to kill me, kidnap my sister, and fracture my wife’s skull. I’ve had enough. I think it’s payback time.” My mind drifts to that awful moment when he beat me, too—I thought he’d dislocated my jaw. My hand moves to my chin as I recall the disturbing incident. I lost consciousness for a few minutes and it was enough time for him to do his worst to Elena.
And I did nothing. I was too shocked...too dazed.
Damn. Grey, stop. Now.
Ana’s face is pale. “Fair point well made, Mr. Grey,” she says.
“Ana, this is what I do. I’m not usually motivated by revenge, but I cannot let him get away with this. What he did to Elena—well, she should have pressed charges, but she didn’t. That was her prerogative.” My jaw tenses. “But he’s seriously crossed the line with Hyde. Linc’s made this personal by going after my family. I’m going to crush him, break up his company right under his nose, and sell the pieces to the highest bidder. I’m going to bankrupt him.”
Ana gasps.
“Besides,” I add, trying to lighten the tone, “we’ll make good money out of the deal.”
She blinks several times, and I wonder if she’s seeing me in a whole new light. Not a good one.
Shit. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You didn’t,” she whispers.
I arch a brow. Does she mean that? Or is she trying to make me feel better?
“You just took me by surprise,” Ana concedes.
I cup her face in my hands and brush my lips against hers.
I’m not sorry, Ana. “I will do anything to keep you safe. Keep my family safe. Keep this little one safe.” I place my hand on her belly, and Ana’s breath hitches.
Her eyes meet mine, and in their blue depths, her desire is smoldering, calling to me.
Fuck.
I want her.
She’s so enticing. I slip my fingers a little lower, brushing her sex through her clothes with the tips of my fingers, teasing her.
Ana pounces, grabbing my head, entwining her fingers in my hair and tugging my lips to hers. I gasp in surprise, and her tongue is instantly in my mouth.
Desire, hot and heavy, travels at light speed all the way to the end of my cock.
Damn, I’m hard.
I groan and return her kiss, my tongue tangling with hers.
It’s been so long.
The taste of her, the feel of her. She’s everything. “Ana,” I breathe in longing against her lips. I’m bewitched, my hands moving undirected over her beautiful behind to the hem of her skirt and the soft flesh of the thighs.
Thank all that is holy for this short skirt!
Her hands start to unbutton my shirt, as ever all fingers and thumbs.
And for a moment her fumbling fingers distract me.
“Whoa, Ana—stop.” With enormous restraint, I pull back and grab her hands.
“No,” she cries, distraught, and her teeth clamp over my lower lip. “No.” She’s insistent, darkening blue eyes staring at me with longing. She releases me. “I want you.”
Ana! You’re hurt!
My body agrees with Ana.
“Please, I need you.” It’s a heartfelt plea.
Oh, fuck.
I’m done. I concede, overcome by her ardor and my need. I groan, and my mouth finds hers, kissing her and tasting her once more. Cradling her head, I run my hand down her body to her waist, and gently ease her onto her back and stretch out beside her.
We kiss.
And kiss.
Lips and tongues locked.
Reacquainting ourselves with each other.
When I come up for air, I stare down into eyes dazed with passion. “You are so beautiful, Mrs. Grey.”
Her fingers strum my face. “So are you, Mr. Grey. Inside and out.”
Oh, I’m not sure that’s true.
Her fingers trace the line of my brow. “Don’t frown,” she whispers. “You are to me, even when you’re angry.”
She says the sweetest things. I moan and kiss her once more and revel in her response, her body rising to meet mine. “I’ve missed you.” My words are inadequate and no match for the feelings behind them.
She is the world to me.
I skim my teeth over her jaw.
“I’ve missed you, too. Oh, Christian.”
Her passion spurs me on. I run my lips along her throat, leaving soft, wet kisses in their wake, and I unbutton her shirt and tug it open to kiss the soft swell of her breasts.
Sweet Jesus, they’re bigger!
Already.
Mm. “Your body’s changing,” I murmur in appreciation, and rub my thumb over her bra, coaxing her nipple awake until it’s begging for my lips. “I like…”