Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
I scoot back until I’m on the other side of the bed. Once again, I lie down, but I put my back to him. It takes everything in me not to peek over my shoulder to see what he's doing. I hadn’t heard him come out of the bathroom, so there is no telling if he’s still standing on the other side of the bed.
I close my eyes tight, trying to get myself under control. If I go to sleep now, I know I’ll have a nightmare. They don’t bother me so much anymore. You get used to them, but I don't want to wake up screaming once more.
When the bed dips on the other side, my breath hitches. I flinch when the room plunges into darkness. I hate the dark. Part of why nightmares are easier to take is because I know if the lights are on when I open my eyes, it was only a dream. When it’s dark, that isn’t so easy to decipher.
“Angel,” Abel whispers my name. It is a small comfort that he is here. I think monsters that go bump in the night would fear Abel. “Angel,” he repeats, but I don’t respond. A second later, an arm wraps around me. Abel’s chest presses into my back. “Did I scare you?” I’m not sure how to answer that question. “I know you’re awake.” Abel's warm breath tickles the skin on my neck, causing goosebumps to erupt. He’s so freaking close. “Breathe.” His big hand presses into my stomach. I let out a breath. “Good girl.”
“Don’t say that to me,” I snap at him. I relished it hours ago, but right now it only upsets me.
“Because I’m not the boss of you?”
“You’re not,” I clarify.
“There you go.” For some reason, those three words make me relax into him.
“I don’t like the dark, and I didn’t care for how you spoke to me,” I admit. It is easier to say things in the darkness. I don’t feel so shy. “When you told me to stay.”
“The order?” I shake my head no.
“You were so cold,” I whisper. He grows quiet for a long moment, and I begin to wonder if he’s going to respond.
“I'm not cold with you.” His nose runs along the column of my neck. “I just wanted you in my bed.”
The vulnerability in his words is turning me into mush. I have to remind myself that this isn’t some romance novel. But there have been more things. That first kiss got me to stop screaming, but the second hadn’t been that. Even now, he’s holding me snuggly to him. I wouldn’t have guessed that he was a cuddler.
“You kissed me,” I say while shrouded in darkness.
“I did.”
“It was my first kiss.” Abel’s hold on me tightens a fraction. “That means something to me. So you know.”
“It means something to me, too.” That makes me smile. “You want me to turn the lights on for you?”
“No.” I lick my lips. “Tonight, you didn’t go—” I feel Abel's tension. His whole body goes solid behind me. “Oh my God!” I hiss. I try to wiggle away from him, but I don’t get anywhere.
“Don’t fight me, Angel.” His tone is gruff. Almost a growl. I keep wiggling to break free. It’s stupid. The man could toss me easily across the room. I’m not fighting for him. “Angel!” Abel pulls me. The next thing I know, I’m under him, my hands pinned above my head, and my thighs spread wide to make room for his broad frame. “Don’t fight me,” he repeats. “I’m on edge already.”
I stop moving at that. It only takes me a half second to recognize his hard cock pressing against my sex. My hands are still pinned above my head. Fear should be coursing through my body. Heck, I'd rather it be fear than the pure, lusty need that runs through me instead. He could be married!
“Abel?” His name comes out breathy. I think I might sound sexy. Maybe.
“Fuck me,” he growls before his mouth comes down on mine. I gasp in surprise, making my lips part. Abel slides his tongue right into my mouth. It’s not slow and sweet. No, Abel devours me. His tongue swirls, trying to taste all of me. I can't help but start to kiss him back.
When my tongue strokes against Abel's, an almost guttural, deep rumble comes from him. I feel it through my own body.
“Angel.” He jerks his mouth away from mine.
“What?” I whimper.
“It’s too much. You’re grinding on my cock, and I’m about to rip those sexy shorts from your body and bury my tongue in your cunt to see if you taste as sweet there as your lips.” His words ramp up the ache that has formed between my thighs.
I stop rocking. I had been grinding on him. “I didn’t know I was…” I trail off. Even in the dark, I can't say "cock." It's silly, but I can’t get it past my lips.