Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I stare at him, heart quickening. “I remember that one.”
“I don’t know why Sheila sent it. But I’m glad she did.”
I close my eyes and sink lower. A part of me is glad she did too. “After that though? You got more involved?”
“I chased away boyfriends. I watched you from afar. I studied your grades, stalked you between classes, made sure your friends were worthy of you.”
“That’s… terrifying.”
“You became a part of my life. I should have approached you so much sooner, but by then, I didn’t know how.”
“Is that why you made me your assistant?” I perk up slightly. “Are you the reason I had so much trouble finding a job?”
“Yes and yes.”
“You’re such a bastard, you know that?”
“I’m aware.”
I smile to myself, a tingling excitement in my stomach. “This is crazy.”
“I know that too.”
“You really were watching me all that time? All through college?”
“As often as I could. I told myself it would be okay if I never crossed the line.”
“What was the line?”
“Touching you.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “All it took was one box filled with lingerie.”
“One stupid mistake.”
“Was it though? Are you sure it was a mistake?”
He’s quiet for a moment. Then he shakes his head. “No, it wasn’t, because it ended up here. With you as my wife.”
“Even though I hate you?”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
“I kind of do.”
“Then why are you still in my tub? Why haven’t you left? You’ve had plenty of chances.”
“Maybe I’m afraid.”
He turns slightly, shaking his head, and meets my gaze. “I know you, Casey. I know you better than anyone in the world. If you don’t want to do something, you don’t do it. You stayed because you wanted to.”
I know he’s right. Which pisses me off a little bit. I’ve always tried to live in a way that’s been true to myself, and if something feels wrong, I do my best to walk.
He’s given me plenty of chances to do exactly that.
“I still need your protection.”
“Yes, you do.”
“But that’s not everything.”
“No, it’s not.”
I push myself from the tub. Water runs off my body. He sits back and looks at me, his mouth hanging slightly open like he’s witnessing something angelic. I love the gleam in his eyes. The way he seems to worship me. I like him down on the floor like that, staring up at me while I’m completely naked and soaking and vulnerable.
But also in command.
“Stand up,” I order him. Maybe the first time I’ve ever told him what to do.
He hesitates, but he does it. He climbs to his full height. Declan’s so big he easily dwarfs me.
I move out of the tub and onto the bathmat. When I lose my balance, he’s there, steadying me. His hands are cool on my warm hips.
I put my damp hands on his chest.
He doesn’t seem to mind that I get his shirt wet.
His fingers tighten on my skin.
“I keep thinking about that knife against my back.” I start to unbutton his shirt. I do it very slowly, fumbling a little. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. “I don’t want to think about it anymore.”
“Casey.”
“I’m still mad at you. I’m pretty freaked out by everything.”
“I know.”
“But you care about me, don’t you?” I get his shirt open and touch his bare chest. He’s so beautifully sculpted. It makes my core clench tight with desire. “You really, really care.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You’ll do anything for me.”
“I will.”
“And you really won’t ask for anything in return.”
He reaches up and strokes his fingers across my cheek. “You’re wrong about that.”
My heart skips a beat. “What will you ask for?”
“Only you.”
I reach down and grip his belt.
What’s there to lose?
We’re already married.
He’s already so deeply burrowed into my life.
Even though I’m pissed, I feel safe with him. Safer than with anyone else in my life. Because I know—
He’s obsessed with me. This man can’t help himself.
I unbuckle and unbutton his slacks. He lets out a low groan when I reach down and grasp his cock.
He’s so beautifully hard.
“Make me feel better,” I whisper.
His mouth crushes down to mine.
I kiss him in a frenzy as I stroke his hard shaft. Everything else becomes a blur like a fuzzy photograph. There’s only Declan, bright and centered, glowing like heaven and burning like hell. He dominates my mouth with his taste, his tongue and teeth my only focal point as he lifts me like I’m nothing and puts me down on the vanity. I yelp and lean back on my hands as he kisses my neck, moving down to my breast, his lips sucking my hard nipples as he opens my legs.
His fingers feel so fucking good as they stroke up and down my slit.
“You don’t have to think about anything but me,” he murmurs, teasing me, licking my breasts and nipping at my stiff nipples. He sinks a finger inside, curling it, making my back arch. I gasp in pleasure and grip his hair tightly with one hand. “You’re all that matters. I’m all you need. This is everything in the world, baby.”