Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 73462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?” he growls.
“I mean”—I swallow, gathering my thoughts as I look into his darkened eyes—“that this isn't punishment, River. Punishment is about pain and regret and lessons learned. This is you staking your claim.”
His jaw clenches. “You think I'm not hurting? Not regretting?”
“I know you're hurting. So am I.” I trace the line of his jaw. “But this isn't about regretting what happened. It’s about moving past it.”
“Moving past it…” he echoes.
“Yes,” I say softly, my gaze steady on his. “Letting go of what happened and focusing on us. Both of us messed up, River. But we can fix this. I want you. Just you. Not Sebastian. Not anyone else.”
“I want only you, damn it,” he says, “and I hate that I gave you reason to doubt that.”
“And I hate that I sought solace in another man when I love only you.” I cup his cheek. “Only you. Always you.”
Silence looms for a moment. He moves again. Then he pulls me to him and kisses me again. It’s different this time. It’s still raw and primal, but now it’s also about forgiveness, acceptance, a silent promise of better days ahead.
He breaks the kiss only to trail his lips down my neck. His hands are everywhere at once, caressing my skin, marking me as his. I gasp when his mouth closes over my nipple, sucking, pulling, teasing it so it’s even harder.
“I need you,” he murmurs against the sensitive skin of my breast.
The words wrap around my heart.
“I need you to remember this moment, Emily. This moment of just us.”
I can only nod, my breath hitching as he moves to my other nipple.
I close my eyes and sigh, pleasure surging through me.
Until—
He pulls away.
I whimper at the loss.
But his dark eyes are on fire.
He discards his jeans, and I catch my breath at the sight of him. River is a beautiful man, strong and virile and so utterly male.
“Touch me,” he says, his voice rough with desire.
I extend my hand toward him. His flesh is hot under my touch, hard and stiff.
A low groan escapes from him as I wrap my hand around him and give him a pull.
He covers my hand with his. Together we work his cock, finding the perfect rhythm.
“Emily…” He groans my name like a prayer, his dark eyes filled with lust. “You have no idea how much I want you.”
“I’ve a pretty good idea,” I reply cheekily.
But his dark gaze doesn’t waver. With one swift movement he sits down on the sofa and pulls me onto his lap. His cock is hard against me, and I ache to slide onto it, let him fill me as only he can.
Instead, he kisses me.
The world falls away as he explores my mouth. The intensity of the kiss is dizzying, overwhelming.
River breaks away from the kiss only to bury his face in the crook of my neck. He presses hot kisses against my skin, each one sending a jolt through me.
“Are you ready?” he asks, his words raspy with desire.
I nod, unable to trust my voice. He slides his fingers down my body and lands between my legs.
“Fuck, you’re wet,” he groans.
“River,” I whimper, clutching his shoulders, “please.”
He doesn't need any further encouragement. He lifts my hips until the head of his cock is teasing my pussy lips, aligns himself at my entrance.
Slowly, almost torturously so, he slides into me. I gasp at being filled so completely. I’m used to his size, how he burns through me as if he’s made of bloody fire.
“Are you ready, Emily?” he asks. “Ready for me to fuck you hard and violently?”
“Oh, yes,” I say on a sigh.
“Then saddle up, baby. We’re going on a wild ride.”
EPISODE 225
AFTERNOON DELIGHT
Sebastian
Where the hell is everyone?
I walk through the house after Emily unceremoniously pushed me out of River’s suite. I imagine Ariel and her friend and mother are working on plans for the wedding tomorrow. Misty’s probably still in her room recovering. Who the hell knows where the hot doctor is, and Brett and Jake?
Something’s going on with them.
Damn.
I guess my English Rose decided she wants a billionaire Montana rancher rather than a billionaire rock star.
I’m not used to being rejected.
It hurts more than I imagined.
Emily was the woman I was drawn to at the beginning of this mess, when River had his heart set on Rachel.
Then I slept with Heather and Ariel.
God, Ariel…
She was a sweet little Southern thing, and I thought we had good chemistry. But she chose the New York Times bestselling author over me.
Rejection again.
But Heather…
She was a fucking tigress in bed, and I wouldn’t mind some more of that.
Then again, why go for something I’ve already tasted? Ariel’s friend Jazz is a hot little number, and so is Darby, M.D.
It’s nearing late afternoon, and I haven’t talked to Brett, Jake, or River about the bachelor party for Alex tonight. Evie swore she had it all under control. We’ll celebrate here in the courtyard, while the ladies will celebrate on the beach. A buffet will serve as munchies or dinner, and the booze will be flowing.