Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
In fact, that’s just what I’m going to do.
Trembling, I slap my laptop shut and begin to stuff it in my bag. But as I’m getting to my feet, he speaks, and his voice hits me like a tranquilizer, knocking me back into my seat.
“Congratulations.”
Is he talking to me? My breath comes in spurts as I try and fail to look at him. “F-for what?” I stammer.
“You’ve done something no other woman has done.”
His voice goes right through me, burying itself in my chest. My breasts tingle and my nipples go hard at the memory of him saving me, asking me with such ownership, “Are you okay?”
“What…what’s that?” God, I sound like such an idiot. But my brain just is not working. It’s like I’ve been hit by a bolt of lightning.
I might be imagining things, but I could swear the edges of his mouth twist up the tiniest bit, indicating the hint of a smile. “Yes.” He nods. “You made me come back for more.”
“I did?”
He nods again, slower this time. His eyes examine me, making me even more self-conscious. “You don’t need to be scared. I’d be gentle with you.”
My lips move on their own. “You would?”
This time, he actually smiles. “Unless you don’t want me to.”
I’m terrified of this man. But at the same time, I’m more turned on than I’ve ever been. Even as I shift in my seat, I feel the soak between my thighs. My body is so aroused it’s almost painful.
“Sorry…I’m not good at this.”
“Good at what?” he asks. My pulse is pounding between my legs, and his mouth is moving, but I can barely hear him over the roaring in my ears.
“This,” I stammer. It’s time to go.
“I’m not asking you to be.”
He leans forward, placing his hands on the table. Those hands…so big…so strong…
…I bet he could tear my clothes off me without even trying…
“My name is Dawson.”
“I need to go,” I say, trying to escape for the second time.
“I need you not to run—” he starts to say, but my legs are listening to me, so I’m going. Speed-walking out of the coffee shop and down the sidewalk. I’m halfway down the block when the urge to turn back hits me.
I have never been so turned on. Not in my entire life. And I know already, with certainty, that Charles isn’t going to be enough for me. Not today.
But what am I supposed to do? Go back there and throw myself into Dawson’s musclebound arms? If I didn’t have a panic attack, I’d have to tell him I’m a virgin. Then he’d be the one running for the hills.
No, I keep moving until I’m back to my car and don’t stop hyperventilating until I’m back at my apartment. Charles is right where he should be, and even though I know he’s not going to be enough, I try anyway.
Lying in bed, picturing Dawson’s face, replaying his voice, I come three times.
“I need you not to run.”
Rolling over, I bury my face in my pillow to muffle my moans. Ass in the air, I imagine what it would be like to have him behind me, gripping my hips, doing whatever he wants with me.
Finally, I slump down on my stomach and turn Charles off. If only I wasn’t such a wimp. If only I could actually talk to the man of my dreams. Maybe then I wouldn’t have this empty feeling inside.
But no. I’m destined to be alone.
5
DAWSON
I knew she’d run. And I let her.
Not because I’m patient—I’m fucking not—but because the look on her face told me everything. She’s not running because she’s afraid of me. She’s running because of how badly she wants me.
She’s a virgin. It’s written all over her. She wants to spread those legs for me and submit, but she’s still conflicted.
I saw the war in her eyes. Desperate need battling crippling fear. And I’m going to end that war. No matter what it takes. And God help me, I know I should be gentle. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to.
The next day, I get her address from Reese and do something I’ve never done before—I send her flowers. And not roses. I’m not that predictable. I send her a bouquet of wild flowers, along with a handwritten note:
You don’t have to run from me, Evie.
I’m rock hard as I’m filling out the card. I can’t stop thinking about the way her jeans hugged her curves in all the right places, showing off her majestic thighs that tapered down to her slim ankles. She was wearing flats, but goddamn would she look good in a pair of heels.
Especially heels propped up over my shoulders while I pound her into the mattress…
Just getting through the day at the office is torture. I’ve got a big renovation coming up on an industrial building, and I can barely even think straight as I sift through all the orders. Thankfully Trevor is around, and I hand off some of the work to him.