Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
When I get to his office, Michael isn’t there. It’s not like him to plan a meeting this early in the day. He prefers to save his best energy for his projects.
I take a seat in the office and drum my feet nervously in my white pumps. The pearls around my neck were a “congratulations” gift I bought myself after my books hit the best-seller charts.
Michael’s temporary assistant offers to get me a coffee, but I shake my head. I’m already so nervous that the last thing I need is caffeine.
Finally, I hear the sound of Michael’s voice outside the door. It’s low and soft, not the normal commanding boom that echoes through the building.
I stand as he enters. I open my mouth to say something only to close it.
He stares at me for a long moment.
After an eternity, I start. “Mr. Morgan, I—”
He steps close to me, invading my space. “Don’t call me by my last name when I’ve been inside of you, Katie.”
I look away from him, focusing on the window just beyond us. The one with the sweeping view of the Asheville skyline.
He reaches for a lock of my hair, twisting it around his finger. “You resigned.”
“I make more money writing.” It’s hard to think with him this close to me when I can feel the heat from his body. When I can remember all the dirty things he did to me in the hotel room a few days ago.
“Then shouldn’t you be writing?”
I can’t tell if he’s annoyed or amused. I risk a glance at his eyes, hidden behind those black frames. “I can’t get the ending right.”
He tips his head and studies me. “Why is that?”
“I’m trying to figure out how things end between Kitty and Michael and I’m not sure what to put.” My heart is pounding so loud it’s all I can hear. I wonder if Michael can hear it too.
“You could start by talking about how Michael loves her, how he’s waited for months to be with her.”
My eyes go wide. “Is that true?”
“Michael’s heart beats for hers now. He’s constantly scanning every room, every event for her. She’s his lighthouse, drawing him in.”
I swallow. “I like that.”
“Good because you belong to me now, Katie.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “You can quit the damn job if you want. But you’re not walking away from me.”
I close my eyes, trying to memorize the feel of his lips against my skin. “You were right. I was letting my pain hold me back. When I knew you’d read my books, I felt naked. I was scared you had seen the real me and I thought you’d hate what you saw.” A tear slips down my cheek.
He wipes it away with his thumb. “I’ve read your books. I’ve seen you naked and I love every part of you. I love your mind that never stops working. I love your writing and the way you blush when you write a sex scene during lunch. I love these dresses that always make me want to spread you out on my desk in the middle of the workday.”
Warmth fills me at the realization that Michael has seen me. That he hasn’t recoiled in disgust or flinched away. Instead, he’s stared into my wounded heart and he’s chosen to see something beautiful there. “I love you too.”
He takes a ragged breath and presses his forehead against mine. “Make sure she says that in the book. He wants to hear it a lot.”
I chuckle. “I love that you get so wrapped up in projects that you forget everything. I love that you tip your head when you’re listening to what I’m saying. I love that you care so much about supporting the Armed Forces. And I really love that you touch me in just the way I need.”
“I could touch you right now,” he teases, putting his hands on my hips. He pulls me against his hard body. “I think there should be a sex scene at the end of the book.”
“On your desk?” I suggest as I lean up on my tiptoes to place a kiss to the edge of his jaw.
“You read my mind,” he mutters as he walks us toward the solid oak furniture that’s overflowing with folders and office supplies.
I reach for a stack of paperwork, but Michael leans around me and shoves everything off the desk in one smooth motion. Then his fingers find me underneath my dress, tracing my aching flesh.
He satisfies me twice before he’s pushing into my body, thrusting in with one smooth motion. He starts a relentless rhythm that quickly has me going over the edge.
When it’s over, I lean my head against his chest while he adjusts my dress.
“Marry me, Katie.” It’s exactly how I would have guessed a man like Michael Morgan would propose. No question, just a firm command.