Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Conrad leans in, and I want him to know I want this, so I stand on my tiptoes and bring us even closer together. His eyes darken, and I close my eyes, waiting for the press of his lips against mine.
He doesn’t disappoint me.
When our lips finally touch, it’s a feeling I’ve never experienced, almost as if I’m home. His lips are familiar and new all at the same time. My hands snake up around his neck and run through his hair. I give it a gentle tug, and he moans, deepening the kiss as his tongue slides past my lips.
He’s taller than me, so we’re at an awkward angle, and I wish I were taller. Conrad either feels my struggle or needs me closer too. Either way, the end result is him gripping my ass and lifting me in the air. Without being told, I wrap my arms and legs around him like a spider monkey, and the thought that I never want to let go filters through my mind.
I’m so distracted from our kiss that I don’t realize we are moving until he sets me on the kitchen counter. Keeping my legs locked around his waist, I use them as leverage and pull him as close to me as I can get him. He’s wearing lounge pants, and I’m in leggings, so I can feel him—every inch of him between my thighs. His lips trail down my neck, and the hussy that I am for him, I tilt my head to the side, giving him all the access he needs. He doesn’t get far due to his sweatshirt, and I’m cursing my idea to wear it today.
It doesn’t seem to deter him as his lips once again capture mine, and our tongues dance to the beat of the song. My hands roam over his back as his slide under his sweatshirt I’m wearing. His hands are warm and sure as they trail over my stomach to cup my breasts. I moan from somewhere deep inside, and I can’t find it in me to be ashamed. It’s been too damn long since I’ve had a man’s hands on me, and this isn’t just any man. This is Conrad Riggins, and if I wasn’t willing to admit it before, I have no choice now.
I’m falling for him.
Reaching for the hem of the shirt I’m wearing, I’m ready to tear it from my body so I can feel his skin against mine. However, before I get that far, my cell phone starts to ring. Conrad slows our kiss and eventually stopping altogether as he rests his forehead against mine.
“We don’t have to answer that,” he tells me as he labors to catch his breath. The ringing stops, and he grins. “They read my mind.” He moves in for another kiss, only for my phone to ring again. He sighs, presses a chaste kiss to my lips, and steps out of my hold to retrieve my phone from the island. “Your mom,” he says, handing me the phone.
With shaking hands, I accept the call, placing the phone to my ear. “Hey, Mom.”
“Aspen, how are you holding up?”
“Fine. We’re snowed in, but Conrad is hopeful that the snowplows will get us dug out today. It finally stopped snowing.”
“That’s what your sister just told me. Your dad and I are on our way to Nashville now. Is there anything that you need us to do at the bakery or bring with us?”
“I’m sure everything is fine, Mom.”
“Your sister is there, and she’s nervous about leaving the new staff, but I’ve assured her that between the two of you, they’re trained and ready.”
“They are. You know Aurora, she’s a worrier.”
Conrad steps between my legs and assists me with wrapping them back around his waist. I give him a questioning look, and he just grins at me. His eyes find mine, and he smirks before moving in and pressing a kiss just under my ear that’s not listening to my mother.
“Aspen, can you hear me?” Mom asks, pulling me away from Conrad and back to the conversation.
“Yes. Sorry, we’re baking cookies, and I got distracted.” It’s not a complete lie.
“Oh, that sounds fun. I’m glad Conrad is there with you. I wasn’t thrilled about you being up there in that cabin all alone.”
If she could only see us now. “Mom, I’m an adult and am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“I can take care of you,” Conrad whispers low enough for only me to hear. My body quivers from his words.
“I know you can. I just worry. That’s my job as your mother. Just wait. One day when you have children, you’ll understand.”
“I know. I love you for it, but I promise you I’m fine. We’re fine.”
“Yes, you are,” Conrad says, his voice low and husky in my ear.