Long Simmering Spring by Barrett Elisabeth

Author:Barrett, Elisabeth [Barrett, Elisabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Suspense, Contemporary
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept
Published: 2013-05-13T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

She was a goner.

Julie lay on top of her bed, covered by the comforter, eyes wide open, utterly still. Slowly, she came to the realization that she was naked and lying in Cole’s arms. He was on his side, right next to her, one of his arms underneath her neck and the other thrown over her body, its heavy weight a reminder of what they’d just done. What had they done?

Other than to have the most soul-baring sex she’d ever experienced.

He’d known how to draw her out—by showing her himself, giving her the control and letting her set the pace. He’d done everything right. Everything.

Moving her head as little as possible, she flicked her gaze over to him. His eyes were closed, long, dark lashes on his cheeks, the small white scar set off by his slightly darker skin. One lock of black hair lay carelessly over his forehead. There was a slight smile on his perfectly formed lips. He looked peaceful. Content.

A swell of emotion rose inside her. She’d thought she could do this. So easy, right? Fall into bed and then fall out again, the way she’d done in the few brief relationships she’d had before. But there was more here with Cole than that, and she knew it.

She’d been falling for him for weeks as a man, but not as a lover. Sex complicated everything, though she’d been the one pushing for it to happen, doing everything in her power to get him to step up his game. Of course she had. He’d been more than manly, the ultimate gentleman, protecting her, guarding her—how could she resist? Now she was sliding backward, second-guessing her decision to get involved, given that it was so much more than she’d bargained for.

She’d wanted it—that, she wouldn’t deny. But what had happened to light and fun? She had to get ahold of herself. This wasn’t her—this jumbled mess of emotions. She needed to get a grip on herself. Right now.

Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to be alone, and the fact that she wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing wasn’t sexy. It was humiliating.

But when she shifted, his arms tightened around her. With dawning awareness, she turned to Cole, knowing instinctively what to expect. He was awake, and he was watching her with his clear, blue eyes.

“Going somewhere?” he asked, his voice a husky rumble.

She swallowed, desperately trying to get some moisture into her mouth. “No. Yes. I’m—I’m leaving.”

“Oh, sure,” he said, lifting his arm off her. “Didn’t realize you needed to use the bathroom.”

She sat up, pulling the comforter up to cover her breasts, and shook her head. “No. I mean you’re leaving.”

He propped himself up on one elbow. “You’re kicking me out?”

“Yes.” She tried to speak firmly, but it was difficult, given that he was looking at her like a sexy, predatory beast. “You don’t need to stay here with me anymore.”

“Even after you invited me to have dinner with you?”

She tried not to wince. “Yes.” It had been more than simply a dinner invitation and both of them had known it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.