Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
We stilled, our movements slowing. I withdrew my hand, gathering her close. She nestled into my chest, her breathing choppy and fast, matching mine. I pressed a kiss to her head. Then again. And again. I couldn’t stop. She laughed, nuzzling my chest. “You’re so affectionate. I like that.”
She glanced up, and I kissed the end of her nose, then traced the bridge of it and along the top of her cheeks. “These dots, Hannah. They drive me to distraction. They are so fucking sexy. You are so fucking sexy.”
She blinked, smiling shyly at me. “No one has ever told me I was sexy.”
“How is that even possible?” I asked, ghosting kisses over her sweet freckles.
“My last boyfriend said I was cute. Not sexy. When we broke up, he told me, if he was being honest, I was a little funny-looking. He had overlooked it long enough.”
I pulled back, meeting her eyes. “Give me his address. I’ll overlook the fact that he’s standing in front of my truck and knock him down a few times until he’s funny-looking.”
She smiled, cupping my cheek, stroking the skin in gentle passes. I leaned into her caresses.
“You are too sweet,” she murmured. “No one has ever offered to drive over an ex either. But no need. I don’t want you to go back to jail.”
I stiffened, and her eyes flew open wide when she realized what she’d said.
“You know?” I asked. “You know about my past?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re still letting me touch you? Wanting to have a relationship with me?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“The day after I found you in the parking lot. You were so sad about your family, and I looked up the details of your dad’s and brother’s deaths. One article mentioned you’d been in prison.”
“And you looked at my files.”
“Briefly. I know the charges, but I don’t know why or how you came to be the man you are now.” She pressed her hand into my cheek harder, making me look at her. “And that’s what I care about, Chase. The man you are now. Not your past or whatever mistakes landed you in jail. You are obviously a changed man.”
“I am. And I want to tell you. I’ve been feeling so guilty about not being completely honest with you, but I was afraid…” I trailed off and swallowed. “I didn’t want you to look at me differently. The way so many people do.”
“I’m not judging you. I know you’re different now. I like the Chase I know.”
“But I have to tell you. I want to tell you.”
“I’ll listen,” she assured me.
I studied her, seeing only acceptance in her gaze. I drew in a deep breath. “Will you tell me what makes you cry out at night, Hannah? What you have nightmares about?”
She averted her gaze, then nodded. “I thought I was past them, but for some reason, they are happening again.”
“I want to know. I’ll listen.” I repeated her words.
“Okay.”
“Shower first, I think,” I said, trying to make her smile.
“Yes.”
I kissed her, my mouth lingering on hers. “Okay.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Chase
I was at the table when she walked into the kitchen, her hair wet, the color dimmed but still visible. She poured a cup of coffee and sat across from me, taking a sip. Our eyes met, and her gaze skittered away, the color on her cheeks high.
“Something wrong?” I asked, teasing.
“No.”
“You’re kinda far away, Hannah.”
“This is where I always sit.”
I hooked my foot around the rung of her chair, pulling it sideways and closer to me. She gasped, grabbing the edge of the table. I tugged on the chair until she was beside me. “I like you closer.”
She rolled her eyes. “Are you planning on being possessive?”
“Oh, I’m very possessive of you,” I replied, taking a sip of my coffee. “I’ve felt that way since the moment I met you.”
“You’ve hidden it well.”
“I wasn’t sure how you felt. How you feel now,” I admitted. “But after last night and this morning, I’ve decided to be honest about it.”
She looked oddly vulnerable. “How do you feel?” she whispered.
I leaned over, cupping the back of her head. I tugged her close and kissed her, licking into her mouth. She tasted of coffee, the mint of her toothpaste, and Hannah. She whimpered, gripping my T-shirt and kissing me back. I kissed her until I was breathless, until my head was swimming, and then I dragged my mouth across her cheek to her ear. “I am fucking crazy about you, Hannah Gallagher.”
I eased back, watching as she slowly opened her eyes. I smiled and ran my finger across her swollen lips, still wet from my tongue. “Clear enough?”
She blinked and smiled. It was wide and honest. Her eyes shone with happiness.
“You may have to keep reminding me,” she replied.
“Anytime.” I pressed another kiss to her mouth. “But we need to talk.”