Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Chapter Nineteen
DELILAH
I’m a nervous wreck, running around the house like a lunatic. I keep obsessing over every detail. Our first night together has to be perfect.
I flip through the pile of clothes on my bed and sigh. I’m going to have sex tonight. Without any kids in the house. With a man who turns me on. So, why do I feel like my heart is about to explode?
The doorbell rings, and full-blown panic mode sets in. Gah! The panic is real. I glance at the clock, surprised I spent an hour looking for the perfect outfit. The bell rings again. Okay, pull yourself together, woman. You got this!
Dropping a shirt on the bed, I rush down the hall to answer the door. Duke is on my doorstep, with a bottle of wine in hand, looking like a GQ model. My mouth falls open. Damn, he looks good. A dark long-sleeved shirt stretches across his muscular chest, making his strong arms and big shoulders look more prominent. He appraises me with eyes that are clearly undressing me. Yeah, and here’s the best part. I’m still wearing the same black sweatpants and red tank top I threw on after my shower. My hair is damp and piled on top of my head, my face free of makeup.
“Don’t mind me,” I say, tugging on my shirt. “I’m going for homeless person chic. It’s a new look I’m trying out.”
He laughs and steps inside, hooking his arm behind my back. “You’d look good in anything.” Duke kisses me, and my head spins. “Who needs clothes, anyway?” He breathes the words against my lips. “They’ll be on your floor soon enough.”
After we pour ourselves two glasses of wine, we head into the living room. It’s unusually quiet, the television off for once. My pulse is so fast I can feel my heartbeat throbbing in my neck, like a vein ready to pop. I seriously need to chill out. Tonight means something to him, too, except Duke looks as cool as a cucumber, completely unfazed.
“I have a secret,” I admit, taking a sip from my glass.
His eyebrow raises. “Let’s hear it.”
“Before we met, I used to fantasize about you.”
He smirks. “Oh, yeah? And what did you think about?”
I blush ten shades of red, now wishing I didn’t mention it. Yes, I have experience with sex. I was married for ten years. But my sex life is limited to one man. So, maybe I’m a little bit of a prude, at least I am compared to Duke.
“You can tell me, Doc.” He runs his tongue slowly along his bottom lip. “I want to make all of your fantasies come true. Correction,” he says, his voice deep and sexy, “I will make every fantasy come true.”
I struggle to catch my breath. “I didn’t have much of a sex life with my ex. We sort of became roommates by the time Max turned five. I’d be stuck sitting on the couch, forced to watch your games, and my mind would wander. I’d imagine you licking my pussy while I watched you play. And then, later that night, I’d get off to the thought of you.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “I like where this is headed. Keep going.”
“You’ve probably heard this before.”
He rolls his shoulders. “Not from you.”
“I always imagined you being rough with me. You’re so aggressive on the ice…” I can’t even look at Duke I’m so embarrassed.
He slides his finger beneath my chin and lifts it until our eyes meet. “I tell you all of my secrets without judgment. You can tell me yours.”
I bite my bottom lip, attempting to still my nerves. “Maybe I should show you what I would think about… What I still think about.”
His lips curve up into a wide grin.
I slide off the couch and extend my hand to him. Duke lifts me up like I weigh nothing and hooks my legs around his back. His lips brush against mine. My heart is racing so fast it slams into my chest. He kisses me as he carries me down the hallway and into my bedroom.
“Uh,” he says, looking at the bed that has tons of clothes on it. “What happened here?”
“I couldn’t decide what to wear. Hence, why I ended up wearing homeless chic.”
Laughing, he sets me on the floor and helps me gather my clothes. Duke follows my lead and throws them into the closet. I guess I’m doing laundry tomorrow.
Once the bed is cleared, I stand in front of Duke, my breathing erratic. Nerves shake through me, causing my legs to tremble. Duke must sense my fear because he cradles me in his arms like a delicate flower. He holds me like I could break at any second.
“We can wait,” he says. “If you’re not ready.”
“I’m ready,” I say without hesitation. “Just kinda freaking out.”