Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Lake reaches over and grabs the phone. “Carson, I’ll be taking tomorrow off. I’m going to take Livy into town and make sure she’s okay. We’ll see how tomorrow goes, but if she’s not good, then I’ll turn in that PTO time I have and take a few more days.”
“Lake!” I snap, but he just winks at me—the jerk. He just informed his boss that he was going to take tomorrow off to make sure I was okay … And he didn’t even ask me.
“We’re good. I’m going to sleep on her couch tonight.”
My eyes go wide. He’s spending the night?
“Yeah, I will. Thanks, Carson.”
“You’re spending the night?” I squeak out once he disconnects the call and puts my phone on the end table.
“Yeah,” he responds, acting as if his deciding to spend the night here is nothing.
“You didn’t even ask me,” I point out the one sentence that keeps replaying in my head.
“I’m not leaving you alone, Livy. Now, if you don’t want me to stay here, I can stay outside by the door and listen for you there.”
“That would be stupid,” I gasp, because I can tell he’s completely serious.
“Then, we’re agreed. I’m sleeping on the couch.
“I didn’t agree. I’ll be fine here alone,” I huff.
“I don’t agree with that. Now, can we stop arguing and try to relax? It’s not good for you to be so keyed up.”
“I don’t remember you being so domineering, Lake,” I gripe.
“I was hiding it until I charmed you completely with my sweet and happy attitude first.”
I should be mad and throwing a fit at the way he’s taking everything over. Any other man would be running for the hills. I don’t understand what he’s doing. Maybe he really is just concerned and is worried about me.
“You’re being weird,” I mumble, rubbing my temples.
“Is your head hurting again, Livy?” Lake asks at once.
“Just a little,” I lie. I can’t tell him that I’m just confused and feeling guilty because I want to kiss him but doing so would feel like betraying Bear. I’m not even sure why I’m having these feelings. My body has been tortured and forced by violence so many times, being close to any man should be the last thing I want. I jerk slightly when I feel Lake’s lips against my temple.
“My poor Livy,” he whispers close to my ear.
My body jerks as if it just suffered a physical blow. My eyes close at the bittersweet feelings those three words deliver. My eyes close and instantly I remember Bear doing his best to hold me after a particularly violent beating.
“My poor Livy. You deserve better than a man who can’t protect you,” he whispers.
“I … only … want … you,” I gasp, fighting for each breath because of the pain in my ribs.
His hands brush against my cheeks and he holds my face with tenderness as he stares into my eyes. “You have me, Livy. Every single part of me belongs to you. Feel me here with you. Feel me …”
My heart thuds painfully against my chest and as I breathe in, I smell Lake, but somehow his scent brings to mind only Bear. Without thinking, I turn my head slightly, pressing my lips to his. Lake stiffens, obviously shocked. Then, he kisses me back. It’s awkward at first. I haven’t kissed someone in so long that I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten how.
“Lake,” I whimper when he starts to pull away. My fingers clutch his sides, afraid he will leave.
“Fuck,” he groans, then the kiss goes wild. I hang onto him, letting him direct everything.
His tongue pushes into my mouth. I don’t even think of denying him. I want his kiss. I need it more than my next breath. I let Lake lead me through it, enjoying myself fully. He’s extremely gentle. His hands stay on me the entire time, grounding me as his tongue carefully explores my mouth. His thumb stretches up and slides against my nipple. I gasp, but he swallows the sound down. I thought I would panic, but the truth is, it feels so good that I want more. I reach up, my hands desperately finding his hair as I pull him to me. It's short, different from the long lengths that Bear used to prefer, but it’s thick and soft. I love the feel of it pressed against my fingers. Lake maneuvers my body so that I’m straddling his lap, bringing us even closer than before. The kiss continues until I think I might pass out. Lake pulls back, but I immediately let out a small sound of disappointment. His lips move from my lips down my cheek, kissing my skin. When he hears my tiny mew of sadness, I feel his lips stretch into a smile against my skin.
“Lake,” I whine, my voice foreign sounding even to my own ears.