Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“You two are friends?” I shook my head in disbelief. “Geesh, guys. Try to act like it, why don’t you?”
“Speaking of…” Kaia’s attention shifted to me. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about the fire. I had to hear about it from someone else and have Ewan track you down. Then all I got was an SOS message from you because he showed up on Rand’s doorstep. That wasn’t very sisterly of you.”
“I’m so sorry,” I apologized, giving her a weak smile. “I meant to call you when we got here, but then I got…um…distracted and forgot.” I pressed my hands over my heated cheeks, hoping to hide my blush.
Kaia knew me better than that. She giggled and winked at me. “I’m not going to hold it against you since it looks like you’ve been a very busy girl.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Ewan grumbled with a frown. “It’s like you’re congratulating her for falling into this asshole’s bed right after they met.”
“Oh, please,” I snorted. “It's not like you don't believe in love at first sight, considering how things went down with the two of you.”
“Love at first sight?” Ewan echoed, throwing his hands up in the air. “Are you trying to tell me you already fell for this big lug?”
“Umm,” I began to stutter before Rand took a page from Ewan’s playbook and slipped his hand over my mouth.
“Our relationship is between the two of us,” he barked. “When we get to the point where Jaelyn is ready to say she loves me, it’ll be without an audience.” Rand’s expression darkened into a scowl of warning. “And without being backed into a corner about it.”
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Kaia said, tugging on Ewan’s arm until he begrudgingly followed her down the steps.
As soon as they reached the sidewalk, Rand practically dragged me back into his house and slammed the door shut. Then he pressed me against the hard surface and captured my lips in a passionate kiss. Our tongues tangled together, his large palms cupping my cheeks to tilt my head farther back as he devoured my mouth. By the time he lifted his head, mine was spinning.
“I want you here with me.” His green eyes were filled with heat as he stared down at me. One of his hands slipped down my back to pull me flush against his body. His hard length pressed against my stomach, turning me on even more than the kiss already had. “For more than just incredible sex.”
My cheeks burned, pleased that he thought it had been incredible too. They were also pink because things were about to get awkward. “What I said, about love at first sight. I didn’t…I mean…um…” I stammered, unsure about what I wanted to say. If he felt the need to reassure me, then it probably needed to be addressed.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m in no rush now that I have you here.” He brushed his lips over mine. “You need a place to stay for the next few weeks, and I want it to be with me.”
“I’d like that, too.” Most people would think I was crazy, but I’d seen how an unconventional start to a relationship could work out with Kaia and Ewan. If I had the chance for the same kind of happiness with Rand, I was going to grab onto the opportunity with both hands.
“Good, then we’ve got plenty of time to figure all the rest out.” Bending low to slide his arm under my knees, he lifted me and started walking toward the bedroom. “And we’ll make the most of it while you’re here.”
Three weeks filled with the kind of orgasms he’d given me last night gave me a lot to look forward to. Twining my arms around his neck, I smiled up at him. “Sounds like the perfect plan to me.”
9
Rand
I’d been itching for this day to arrive. I got a call that Jaelyn’s building was finally inhabitable again, and it was perfect timing since it was a Saturday. I’d made a few phone calls in preparation, then went into the kitchen to start breakfast.
Standing at the stove, I was plating our food when Jaelyn’s arms came around my waist, and she leaned into my back. “Good morning, handsome.”
I savored the feel of her and the contentment of the moment. Knowing I’d spend the rest of my life with mornings like these made me feel like I’d won the fucking lottery. Except, even better than that.
Pivoting in her embrace, I looped my arms around the outside of hers. “Morning, baby.” She lifted her face for a kiss, and I was more than happy to oblige. Then I walked her to the kitchen island and sat her on one of the stools. I set her dish in front of her, stabbed some eggs with a fork, and brought it to her mouth. When her lips closed around the utensil, I groaned, remembering her lips around other things.