Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“I don’t care.” He pulls me to him and wraps his big arms around my shoulders. “I’m sorry I’m a monstrous dickhole.”
“You really are.”
He kisses my head. “I know. And for the record, I’m not mad at you. I really am just pissed at whoever is still jerking you around. I want it finished. All of it.”
“Yeah.” I finally loop my arms around him and hug him back. “I’m not even embarrassed about it anymore. It just is what it is. And we’ll figure out who’s behind it. It’s like they’re a high school bully who leaves mostly naked photos of the popular girl on all of the lockers as a joke.”
“No one ever left a naked photo on my locker,” he says with a pout. “I feel left out.”
“Perv.” I lean my head back and pucker my lips. He doesn’t disappoint with the kiss he lays on me. “Thanks for being outraged on my behalf.”
“I wasn’t kidding before,” he says. “Someone is trying to hurt you. And I love you. That means they have to die.”
“You love me?”
He frowns and then scoffs. “Of course, I love you. Have I been alone the past few weeks?”
“You haven’t said it.” I snuggle closer and nuzzle my nose into the crook of his neck. “And for the record, I love you, too. I always have, Rafe. I pushed you away, over and over again, but all along, I knew you were the one for me. There will never be anyone else for me.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Really?” I raise a brow. “Or what?”
“You don’t want to know.” He slings me over his shoulder and carries me to the bed, my head coming inches from hitting the doorframe.
“You almost just killed me.”
“Nah, I missed by a mile.”
I laugh and then squeal when he drops me unceremoniously onto the mattress.
“You’re totally a caveman.”
“Yes. Rocco carry Annika.”
I giggle and scurry away when he reaches for me.
“I need a hot shower and some food. I’m starving. Then you can have your way with me.”
“I think we need a compromise in this situation,” Rafe says.
“No. I said what I said.”
“How are we supposed to have any kind of healthy relationship if you’re not willing to grow and respect our differences of opinion?”
I shake my head at him. “Why do you sound like a shrink now? I’m getting in the shower.”
“Fine. If you love shower time that much, I’ll compromise with you and wash your back. I’ll even let you stand in the hot water so you don’t get too cold. I’m a giver.”
“You’re weird this afternoon.” I laugh and bounce out of his grasp as I hurry back to the bathroom. “And I don’t need you to shower with me.”
“Stop begging. It’s embarrassing. I already told you I’d shower with you.”
“You’re such a pain in the ass.”
“But I’m your pain in the ass.” He pulls me to him, the laughter fading as he lowers his lips to mine. “And I’m going to make you forget your name tonight, my love.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I guess you can shower with me.”
“Great. Will you share the hot water spray?”
“You said I could have it.”
“Don’t be selfish. It’s all about compromise, remember?”
“I’m reserving water privileges until I see how good of a job you do at washing my back.”
“Oh, honey, I’m very good. There’s no need to worry about that.”
Chapter 17
~Annika~
“It’s still dark,” I whisper when Rafe kisses my neck and drags his hand down my arm. I was lost in a very pleasant dream, and I’m not ready to wake up. “Not morning yet.”
“We have to get an early start,” he reminds me, his voice thick with sleep. “Big day today.”
“Five more minutes.” I burrow my face into the pillow, but he kisses down my bare spine, and little licks of pleasure spark over my skin, making the dream slip from my mind and all of my attention shift to Rafe. The man is insatiable. It’s like he just can’t get enough of me.
I’m not complaining.
Making love with Rafe Martinelli is the delight of my life.
As I turn over to face him, the covers slip down, and the cool air from our room blows over my skin. The combination of cool air and Rafe’s warm skin send goose bumps over me, waking me fully from sleep. My legs tangle with his, and his already-hard cock presses to my thigh impressively.
“How are you already awake and ready for this?”
“Need you,” he whispers against my neck. “More than I need to breathe.”
“I’m right here.” I skim my nose over his shoulder and sigh in delight when his rough hand closes over my breast. His thumb brushes back and forth over my nipple, making it come to life.
It’s a slow, sweet coupling, full of heavy sighs and light nibbles. Whispers.
And just as he teases my already-slick opening with the head of his cock, he looks into my eyes, the first light of dawn casting grey over his face. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. All I’ve ever needed, A.”