Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
He turned the burner down, wiped his hands, and pulled me into his arms. No rush. Just holding me, chin on my head, one hand rubbing slow circles on my back.
“I’m glad,” he murmured. “You deserve to feel that.”
We stood like that for a long minute, our bodies pressed together, breathing in sync. It wasn’t sexual because it was something deeper. The kind of closeness I hadn’t known I was starving for but knew I’d only get with him.
Dinner was relaxed as we ate at the island, knees touching under the counter, talking about my day. I told him about the brewery project and how I loved Elena’s no-nonsense vibe.
He listened like every detail mattered, asking questions, and laughing when I told him about nearly spilling coffee on the creative director’s laptop.
After we cleared the plates, we ended up on the couch. He pulled me against his side, arm around my shoulders, my head on his chest. We watched some mindless crime show, but mostly, we just talked.
About the future.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said after a while, voice low. “Once the house sells, I’m looking at property outside of town. Something with land. A workshop. Maybe a small cabin.”
I tilted my head to look at him. “Sounds peaceful.”
“It does.” He traced lazy patterns on my arm. “Have you thought about where you’ll live after the house sells?”
I was quiet for a long moment, too long because things started to feel weird.
“There’s room for two, if you want?”
My heart stuttered. “You mean…?”
“I mean, I don’t want this to end when the house is sold.” His eyes met mine, his expression serious and unguarded. “I know I want you in my life, Lila. Not just here in the moment, but wherever I end up.”
I swallowed. “I want that, too.”
He kissed my forehead. “Then we figure it out. Together.”
We fell asleep like that, tangled on the couch, his heartbeat steady under my cheek. No sex. Just a closeness that made the forbidden part feel almost… normal.
After that night, things felt incredible. There wasn’t this back and forth between us that confused and angered me.
It was as if he’d used that time to sort through his uncertainty and guilt until he knew what was right.
Us together.
The next week was the same rhythm. Work for me, long days for him, but the evenings belonged to us. We cooked together, watched movies, and talked about regular things like his favorite childhood memories or the worst jobs we’d ever had.
Marcus told me about building his first boat when he was twelve. It sank the first time he put it in the water, but he’d been proud of it.
One night, after a long day, we lounged in the living room. I was curled against him on the couch, his arm around me, fingers playing with my hair. My phone buzzed on the coffee table.
I glanced at it. “It’s Sarah. Probably wants to know if I’m free this weekend.”
Marcus smirked. “Answer it.”
I picked up the phone, hit accept, and put it on speaker so he could hear. “Hey.”
“How’s it going? How’s the new job? Any hot coworkers?”
I laughed and felt my face heat at the latter, sneaking a glance at Marcus. “Good. Busy. Ugh, no,” I answered each question in quick responses.
Marcus slid to the floor on his knees on front of me, pressing a kiss to my stomach through my clothes. I sucked in a breath.
“You okay?” Sarah asked.
“Yeah, just… pulled a muscle when I stretched.” The lie came easily, and Marcus grinned.
His mouth dipped lower, biting the waistband of my leggings.
“What’s up?”
“Just checking in. The girls and I want to drag you out Friday. Drinks. Dancing. You in?”
He peeled off my leggings, exposing my dripping pussy. With feather-light strokes, he circled my clit with his finger. I bit my lip to stifle my moan.
“Lila?” Sarah prompted.
I cleared my throat again. “Y-yeah,” I managed. “Friday. Sounds fun.”
Marcus swiped my pussy in one lick and thrust his tongue inside me. My legs clenched around his head, thighs trembling.
“You sure you’re okay?” Sarah laughed. “You sound weird.”
“I’m...good. Fine.” His thumb pressed my clit, tongue fucking deeper. “Just...tired. Long day.”
Marcus leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “Tell her you’ll call her back,” he whispered. “Then come for me.”
Thank God. “Sarah, I gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She laughed. “Okay, babe. Get some rest. Bye.”
“Bye.” I hung up fast, my cell clattering to the floor.
Marcus laughed low against my neck. “Good girl.”
He thrust his tongue harder, thumb relentless on my clit. I rode his face shamelessly, moaning his name, hips grinding down.
“Get off for me, pretty girl,” he growled. “Come all over my face.”
I shattered for him. My pussy clenched as I cried out and came. Marcus worked me through it, drawing out every tremor until I was shaking, and slumped against his chest.