Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 141281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
I could use a liquid distraction before I lose my mind.
“Why tonight? Why now?” I ask softly, leading him over to the bar. “Is something up?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, princess. Just all the ways I’m gonna fuck you through the floor tonight.” His smile sharpens, and that appetite in his green eyes I know too well turns them into spotlights. “You think we’re good? Just wait till you see what feeling you dancing against me for hours does before I get you alone...”
Goosebumps.
Goosebumps flipping everywhere.
I can’t resist as he moves in for another kiss.
My panties are past uncomfortably soaked, and it’s going to be a long haul to heading upstairs, or wherever the hell he plans to take me for the grand finale.
“Cordie! There you are! Is it just the costumes or do you two always do this?” Marnie’s voice darts in behind me.
I’m beet red by the time we break our kiss and turn around.
Crap.
She’s got her biggest gloat face on, staring like she just caught our whole arms down the cookie jar.
Except the cookie jar is my ass and Chris’ hands go nowhere even when she’s staring with glassy amused eyes.
“Good to see you too, Marnie,” Chris says. “We were going to save it for the dance floor, but I guess you’ve got an early preview. Here’s one more.”
I freeze as he pulls me in for another searing kiss that melts me down.
My palms slap his chest, fingernails digging at his clothes, wondering if he’s lost his mind.
But something about having Marnie watching him devour me makes the heat greater, more intense, moving through my body like lightning.
When he finally breaks away and I look up, her nasty smile is gone. She’s gawking at us like she can’t believe what she’s seeing. And Marnie doesn’t do speechless—until now.
“Holy shit. Um, I knew you guys were...but I didn’t think you were actually...wow. Wow, you’re serious.” She coughs violently before coming back to her senses. “Cordelia. You owe me a brunch date like yesterday. Anybody got a time machine here?”
She looks around, wiping sweat from her brow.
“Let’s do that date now. Ask your questions.” Chris beams at her and doesn’t let up.
But she stares at him, her mouth open and forming different shapes, the most dumbstruck look I’ve ever seen on anyone.
I want to laugh, but he does it for me, chuckling in his rich, sexy baritone.
“...maybe later? Sorry, guys, I just realized I...I’d better see where Erik went!” She’s practically running when she turns away, moving as fast as her black widow vampire slayer heels will carry her.
“See? You can’t tell me that was bad,” Chris says, grabbing my hand and planting his lips on the back.
“No, but once she gets her wits back...there will be questions. I hope you’re ready. And Marnie’s the easy one versus Dad...”
“Delia, if keeping you just means a few hours of long-winded bullshit, let ’em ask until they’re blue in the face.”
And he kisses my hand again, wrapping his other arm around my waist, sweeping me back into the massive shield of his chest.
Point made.
When I’m wrapped up in this man, how could anything ever hurt us?
* * *
Hours blur by, and our souls are still crashing on the makeshift dance floor under the stars.
I’ve never needed him this badly.
Never felt this turned on.
Never had every molecule of my skin vibrating and pleading to stay pressed so tight to his.
Heavy bass beats throb in my ears every time I lift my head off his chest.
But Chris just presses it back down with a possessive growl, his hands roaming my body, guiding me with grace and power in the patio dance space not far from the pool.
When we first started, all eyes were on us.
I think a couple people turned away in disgust the first time he put his mouth on mine, knowing what we are, but they were sparse.
Everybody else?
They freaking applauded—even Marnie gave me this starry-eyed look, clapping her hands wildly.
I don’t want this fairy-tale night to end.
“You think anyone will notice if I hike up that skirt and mount you right here? Are they drunk enough yet?” he rasps in my ear as our bodies lurch together one more time.
“Behave, Christopher,” I gasp back, hoping I can slow down the beast dragging his hands all over me, grinding my hips into his in a way that’s already too sensual.
He’s right about one thing, though—everybody is too wasted to notice.
We’re one of the only couples still on our feet, moving to the music, ever since night rolled in and the stars came out to play.
Half the party lounges in the pool, floating on inflatables or piling into the long chairs around it. The rest of the guests are sprinkled across the beach, settled in quiet corners under blankets or quietly drinking their fill of their dates.