Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
I’m still hurt, and it kills me to know that I may never be able to get over it. “I’m not hiding out.”
He comes into the room and sits down on the bed, next to my hip. “You are hiding out. You’re retreating and pulling back from me.”
I inhale and suck in his manly scent. How am I supposed to think straight when he looks and smells the way he does? This is not fair. “I have to, King.”
He puts a hand on my knee. His finger traces circles on my bare skin, causing goosebumps. “Because I have to protect myself. This will be over soon.”
He shakes his head. “If you think I’m going to let you leave me—”
I cut him off with a laugh. “Don’t worry. I’m not taking any of your money when I go.”
His jaw tightens as he stares at me. “I’m not worried about you leaving with my money.”
I jut my chin at him. “Then what? Why can’t you just let me go?”
He puts his hand to his chest. “My heart, peaches. I can’t let you leave because you’d be taking my heart with you. I love you, Haven. I know it’s no excuse, but that’s why I lost it when I saw those pictures. I couldn’t lose you. I’m sorry, and I promise, if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“King—”
He leans toward me. “I’ve only ever said those words to my brothers and my sister. I know how important they are, and I know what they mean. I love you, Haven. None of this is fake. It’s real to me. Yes, I want to have kids, but I want to have kids with you. I want to spend my life showing you how beautiful and special you are. I want you to have everything you want out of life because you deserve it. I know I fucked up, and I know…”
I stop him this time because I need to hear it again. “Say it again.”
He smiles at me. “I love you, Haven Beckett. Today and forever, I love you.”
I lean forward. My heart is practically beating out of my chest. “Now kiss me.”
His whole body shudders, and he moans in relief. He wastes no time and pulls me against him as he kisses me as if he can’t bear the thought of losing me. The kiss is a gnashing of our lips, tongues, and teeth. It’s like we can’t get close enough.
I pull back, and his hands dig into my hips, not letting me go far. “I need you, King. Please. Now.”
He stands up and discards the clothes he’s wearing while I lie back and struggle to do the same. I have my panties around my ankles, and he strips them away before lying down on top of me. “Sorry, I’m heavy,” he says, trying to put his weight on his arms.
I hold on to him. “No, don’t go. I want to be close to you.”
I wrap myself around him, holding him close and breathing him in. I can’t get enough of him, and I’m overwhelmed by the last few days.
He holds on to me like he doesn't want to let me go. “What do you need, peaches? Whatever it is—”
I raise my head to look at him. “You… I just need you.”
He nods. “I’m yours.”
I let my hand trail between us, and I wrap it around his hard girth. His hips push him farther into my hand, and he groans. We both need this. I’m so ready for him, I open my legs, letting his body fit against me.
His hard cock sits at my entrance, but he doesn’t take me. His hands are everywhere. He’s touching and tasting me until I’m practically begging him to take me.
“Please, King.”
“Look at me,” he demands.
I don’t raise my eyes, though. I know what he’s going to see on my face if I do, and it scares me. I’ve been hurt my whole life, but King could obliterate me. Letting my guard down scares the hell out of me.
He rolls to his back, taking me with him, and when we stop, I’m spread-eagle on top of him. His hands go to my face, and he holds me so that I have no choice but look at him.
“I love you, Haven.”
“But what if you change your mind? What if—”
“I love you, Haven. Forever I will love you, and if it takes me the rest of our lives to convince you, I’m happy to do it. I can’t lose you… I will never lose you.”
My heart starts to race, and I know I need to be brave here. “I love you, King. I want you to know, I love you… please don’t hurt me. I won’t survive it.”
“Oh baby,” he says, pulling me down so he can kiss me. Our lips meet in a perfect symphony, and I get lost in the kiss.