Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“You are such a cocky prick sometimes,” I muttered hotly, looking back at my computer screen. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m trying to write.”
He leaned in so quickly, I gasped, his face inches from mine when I turned to meet his gaze. His heady aftershave drifted over me and I shivered. “What …”
Theo searched my eyes before his attention dipped to my lips. “Let me kiss you.”
Blood rushed in my ears. “Are you mocking me?”
His eyes rose from my mouth to meet my suspicious gaze. “I would never,” he said with rare sincerity. “I want to kiss you. I enjoy kissing. But more than anything, I want to help you move on from what happened to you.” He was so close, his breath whispered across my lips. Tingles awoke between my thighs as my belly fluttered wildly. “We’ll take it slow. Ease you into it. If you want to try, that is?”
My pulse throbbed in my neck, and I thought my heartbeat must be so loud Theo could hear it.
The truth was, I did want to know what kissing was like when you wanted it with someone. I’d just been so afraid because my first experience had been all about fear.
“Like an experiment?” I whispered.
Theo nodded. “If that makes it feel safe for you, then yes, like an experiment.”
I knew my cheeks were bright red as I nodded. “All right, then. But … I want to kiss you first. Not you kiss me.”
Something softer than triumph glittered in Theo’s eyes. “I think we can manage that.”
Twelve
SARAH
Theo had insisted we sit on the couch that faced the fire. It was a comfortable old sofa in a floral fabric not even my grandmother would have picked out. I needed to update the furniture in here.
And I dithered so I didn’t have to think about the way my knees trembled as I lowered myself onto the cushion next to Theo. He shimmied closer, resting his arm along the back of the couch.
“What are you thinking about?” he murmured silkily.
“The word gallimaufry,” I blurted out, twisting my fingers nervously in my lap.
Theo’s mouth trembled with amusement as he reached out to smooth his hand over mine. I jumped at his touch. His skin was rougher and more calloused than a person might expect, but I remembered him telling me he was part of a rowing team back at Oxford and he’d continued to row alone after graduation. Were the calluses from rowing for years?
“Why are you thinking about the word gallimaufry?” he asked softly, his lips almost touching my ear.
A shiver skated down my spine and I turned a wee bit so our faces almost touched. “I need to get rid of the furniture in here,” I offered, my voice hoarse with tension and nerves. “Put my own stamp on the place. Something more cohesive.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawned. “It is quite the gallimaufry of furnishing, isn’t it?”
I swallowed hard as my eyes landed on his mouth. I think I nodded. It was hard to know because I was suddenly hot and the wild butterflies in my stomach made it hard for me to concentrate on anything else.
Theo studied me before he reached out to caress my cheek with his thumb. The soft touch made me move closer. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” His voice sounded hoarse, and there was a smolder in his eyes I’d never seen before. Like … he was turned on.
My belly flipped, this time deeper and lower.
Be brave, I told myself as I felt his chest brush my shoulder. Be brave and take what you want.
I turned toward him to bridge the short distance between us. My lips brushed softly over his, tentative touches that made my mouth tingle. His lips were soft, full, and my heart rate sped up along with my gentle exploration. Theo stayed perfectly still, letting me take my time.
It wasn’t scary. It was exciting.
I pressed my lips a little harder against his and, finally, he kissed me back. A gasp escaped from me into him as tingles awoke across my breasts, making them feel fuller, tightening my nipples. That same tingling sparked to life between my thighs. Wanting more of that sensation, I moved my mouth against Theo’s, enjoying the way he took his time.
Who knew kissing could feel like this?
Suddenly, he pulled back, and I noted the pink across the crest of his cheeks. His gaze was low-lidded with desire and instead of terrifying me, it thrilled me. “Open your mouth, little darling.”
Oh.
This was the part I was sure I was going to hate. But the only way to know for sure was to try. I licked my lips and nodded. And I was sure Theo groaned before he brushed his mouth over mine, coaxing me back into the deliciousness of his soft kisses. Then I felt his thumb on my bottom lip, pulling it down. Asking me to open.