Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
My stomach tumbled in a bid of worry and joy.
What was he still doing here?
In agitation, my teeth raked my bottom lip.
It was probably a terrible idea because I could still taste him on me. Could still feel his hands burning into my flesh. Every memory from last night surging back at full force.
Bare streams of early morning light filtered in through the break in the curtains, and my attention moved, taking in the rumpled maroon flannel sheets and the mess of covers that had dropped to my waist.
An indentation from where Theo had slept most of the night was still there, and the scent of mossy woods and leather and the unquestionable innuendo of sex lingered in the air.
I blew out an uncertain sigh. Wondering what had possessed me. Why I’d given in when I’d been so adamant that there was no chance of that happening.
There was something about Theo Mallin that made me contemplate foolish things. Things that would always be out of reach.
But still…
Laughter rolled downstairs, and I huffed out the oxygen that felt trapped in my lungs and forced myself out of bed. I was still wearing only my bra and underwear, and I tiptoed into the bathroom so I could use it. Then I washed my hands before I splashed cold water on my face and peered at myself in the mirror.
My hair was a disaster, and my lips were red and swollen.
The man’s hands were so undeniably written all over me.
I ran my fingers through the knots in my hair in an attempt to tame it, though there wasn’t a thing that could be done about my lips.
Blowing out a sigh, I moved back into the bedroom, went to the dresser, and pulled out a pair of pajamas.
I pulled on the cozy baby blue bottoms and matching long-sleeved top, dragged on fuzzy socks, then headed to the door.
It seemed the appropriate attire for this walk of shame.
My nerves rattled.
Nelly was going to have a field day with this, but I couldn’t seem to bring myself to regret it. Not when last night had felt like a dream.
Respite in the middle of a life of torment.
A moment where I was elevated above it.
Like maybe…
I sucked down all the foolish notions before I whipped open the door.
Another peal of Finn’s adorable giggles lit in the air, mixed with that deep resonation that trickled over my flesh like a caress.
A shiver rolled through me, and I held my breath as I tiptoed down the stairs, my hand gliding down the wood railing as I went.
Heart ravaging at a wild beat as I let my gaze take in the room below.
Nelly was at the stove, pulling bacon from a skillet and setting the pieces on a paper towel to gather the oil. Theo had his back to me where he leaned against the counter that extended out to separate the kitchen from the living area.
And my son…he was hooked in the crook of his arm, Theo casually holding him as if it was something he did each morning while he chatted with my grandmother.
Finn noticed me first, and he pointed at me with his chubby finger, his adorable little nose squishing up as he shouted, “Wook it! Mommy wake up!”
My throat nearly closed off when Theo shifted around to look at me.
All the acute, harsh angles of his gorgeous face were illuminated by the rays of sunlight that cut through the windows, making him appear even more severe than normal.
A sharp blade of protection standing in the middle of our kitchen.
His black hair as messy as mine, and my stomach flipped when I thought of the way I had my hands fisted in the lush locks last night.
His lips were full and red and so freaking distracting as his tongue swiped out to wet the bottom one as if he were every bit as affected by the sight of me as I was of him.
His powerful body rippled with strength and volatility while my son grinned and wiggled on his hip.
The vision was so utterly perfect that I wanted to drop to my knees and beg him to never leave.
To plead with him to give us this impression of peace forever.
Wayward thoughts creeping in that maybe I could trust him. That maybe I could give him what I’d been carrying for so long, and he’d see me for who I was.
Understand.
Maybe he was powerful enough to protect me from it.
Disbelief shocked through my senses.
How could I be so selfish to even think it? Putting him in the path of the monster that would forever nip and snarl at my heels?
Grief fisted my heart.
Did I so easily forget what had happened last time?
What I was responsible for?
I swallowed down the panic that crawled up my throat and forced out, “Hey, my sweet boy.”