Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 87856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
The design is beautiful. A rose stem wrapped around a heart, shedding petals on the ground.
Our collaboration. I shared a lot with him, online, before I met him. (Via Instagram, of course). I told him I wanted something that would prove I survived hard things, that I wasn't afraid to face anything.
It was very…
Over the top.
But that was perfect.
"And this too." He runs his fingers over the edges of my blazer. "May I?"
I set my drink down.
He helps me out of my blazer, and he traces the Latin quote on my forearm.
The evening breeze brushes my skin, but I don't feel a chill. Then his fingers are tracing the words and I'm on fire.
"It's simple," he says. "But it's beautiful."
"It's not yours."
"I know. I hate it."
"You're jealous?" I ask.
"Someone else marked your skin forever."
"A woman. Does that make a difference?"
"Will you think I'm a pig if I say yes?"
"Maybe," I say.
"Yes." He leans in and presses his lips to my upper arm. "It's you, too."
How does he know?
He barely knows me.
But he's right.
Veritas lux mea
Truth is my light.
He traces the lines of ink again. "You want to talk about it?"
"No," I say. "Is that okay?"
"I know you didn't come here for conversation."
Right.
"I just like talking to you."
"More than you like fucking me?"
He moves a little closer. He honors my silent request to shift back to sex. "It's harder to get you talking."
A laugh spills from my lips.
"Maybe that will be my kink with you, talking about feelings."
"That's going to be a hard one for me to satisfy."
"I bet." He brings his hand to my cheek and pulls me into a deep kiss. "But I'm happy to keep exploring this one."
Right. "You're not going to fight me on this?"
"See if I can make you come first?"
"Mm-hmm."
"What kind of guy do you take me for?"
"A gentleman?"
"Of course."
"Does that mean you will or you won't?"
"There's only one way to find out."
Chapter Twenty-Two
IMOGEN
Despite my status as a Division One swimmer, I'm not that competitive. I've never dreamed of Olympic golds or spots at Nationals. I've never wanted to be the best, only the best version of myself in the water.
This is different, somehow. Because this is a game. Because we're evenly matched. Because I win even if I lose.
But this time I really want to win.
"You realize I'm a college athlete?" I ask.
"I've heard that."
"You doubt me?"
"Invite me to a game," he says.
"A meet," I say.
"Invite me to a meet then."
"The season is over."
"Next year," he says.
"They're boring."
"It won't be boring." He pulls me into his lap. He picks up my blazer. "It might be easier in this."
My chest flames. My stomach. My sex. Affection and need surge through my body. He wants to watch me swim. He wants to be here next year. He wants to help me into something that will make it easier to expose my breasts.
I'm not sure which part is scarier.
No. That's easy. The thought of him being here next spring. That's a long relationship. That comes with expectations of other kinds of intimacy.
This—
The biggest danger here is an arrest as a sex offender. That's nothing compared to sharing my secrets.
"If you won't be too hot." He offers the blazer.
I slide it on.
Patrick pulls me into a slow, deep kiss.
My body responds with gusto. Every part of me is awake and alive and every part wants him.
I don't care if he has the upper hand. I don't care if he wins. I don't care about anything besides my skin against his.
I turn toward him.
He traces the waist of my jeans. Right to left and left to right.
He circles the button with his fingers. He brings his hand to my crop top and rolls it up my chest, one inch at a time.
Until I'm in his lap, exposed.
Patrick pulls back with a needy sigh. He takes a long, long moment to look at me. He stares with wonder, like this is the first time he's ever seen me, like I'm the only thing he's ever wanted.
Right now, I feel it.
Anyone else, it doesn't matter.
This is what matters.
I turn a little more toward him.
He brings one hand to my chest, cups my breast with his palm.
"I have to ask you something," I say.
"Now?"
"Now." I sigh as he toys with my nipple. "I like this. Trying to make normal conversation while you touch me."
"Me too." He presses his lips to my neck. "I like torturing you."
"But this is about sex."
"Oh?" He brings his other hand to my hip. Adjusts me so I'm right on top of his hard-on.
Fuck, that feels good. I need it. Now. "We're both safe."
"Yeah." He moves to my other breast and toys with it.
I rest my head against his chest. This feels good. Too good. I can't hold on to conscious thought. It's impossible. "Have you ever?"
"Have I ever…" He toys with me again and again. Shifts my body, so I'm upright, so I'm perfectly exposed to him. "Done this? No."