AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Ten
Katrina
I’m gently rocked awake.Blinking my eyes open, I take in the dim room. The candles have died out and the only light is coming from the windows and the laptop. My gaze turns to the bright screen, now rolling with credits. I’ve slept through the movie.
Rising from my comfortable spot in Lennox’s arms, I give him a sleepy smile.
“Sorry I fell asleep on you,” I start to say, my words turning into a yawn.
“No need to apologize. You’re still hurt and need your rest.”
I don’t think it’s the bump to the head that’s knocked me out, I think it’s because of him. For the first time in a long time, I slept without fear. My worries melted away with his arms wrapped around me, and my body was finally able to relax.
“Let’s get you to bed, huh.”
With me still in his arms, he stands. A squeal of surprise bursts from me at the feat of strength. My legs wrap around him as he begins to walk us down the hallway, and my heart pounds with excitement. The image of Lennox and me tangled in his sheets has my body quivering with need.
He stops in front of the guest bedroom. My temporary bedroom, I guess.
With a pat to my bottom, he releases me from his arms. Confusion and disappointment overwhelm me. Why is he dropping me off here? Does he not want me?
My emotions must be all over my face because he leans down and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Get some rest, Katrina. We’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow.” With that, he gives me another kiss that has me following his lips when he tries to pull away. “Good night.”
I watch him go, upset this is how the night is ending. I thought…well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. Lennox has made up his mind for the both of us.
Moping into the room, I shut the door and lean back against it. Today has been exhausting, but I’m not tired anymore.
If anything, I’m revved up. I want to start fresh with Lennox and I don’t want to waste another day. Walking over to the bed, I drag my hand along the sheet as I try to work out my feelings.
Yes, I understand why he’s giving me space and prioritizing my rest, but tomorrow isn’t promised. I’ve learned that the hard way.
I’m not the same woman I was four years ago, but I’d like to believe that my heart is still true. That what I’m feeling for Lennox is real. My love for him didn’t disappear or evaporate the night I left town. Instead, my love just buried itself deep in my chest, waiting to burst free again when the time was right. For the moment I finally felt safe again.
I don’t want to wait to begin again with Lennox. I want to start where I’m standing. No looking back, no regrets. And when the night is over and he knows how I feel, I’m going to do something that I should have done a long time ago.
With that promise in my mind, I give myself a little nod and turn for the door again. Not stopping to let doubt settle in, I march to Lennox’s room and throw open the door. My eyes grow wide when I spot him standing beside the bed, shirtless, with his jeans pooled at his feet.
In just boxers he takes my breath away. I thought I understood just how strong he was from ogling him earlier, but that was nothing compared to seeing him in the flesh. My mouth goes dry, but my legs don’t fail me. They take me across the room and right into his arms.
Reaching up, I clasp his neck and bring his lips down to me. The kiss goes from zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds. His tongue tangles with mine, our passion rising by the second.
Pressing me closer, I feel the heat of his chest through my thin top. My hand goes up, clasping his neck as our kiss grows more frantic and needy. This feels right.Hefeels right.
Rising on my tiptoes so that I can get more of his kisses, Lennox smiles as our lips meet again, as if he knows what I’m doing. A gasp of air leaves me when he suddenly bends and lifts me into his arms. My legs instantly wrap around him, the bulge in his jeans hitting me in the most delicious place.
He wraps his arms around me, giving me a squeeze at the same time he tips his head towards me and starts kissing me again. I feel giddy with all the attention and care he’s giving me.
I feel rather than see him start walking to the bed. I don’t want to stop kissing him in fear I might be dreaming this all up.
A laugh bursts out of me as we crash onto the bed, a tangle of arms and legs. I prop up on my elbows, gazing at Lennox beside me. There’s a twinkle in his eye that I’ve missed. A carefree mischief that I didn’t know had been missing before.
With care, Lennox presses my chest so that I recline backward until I’m lying on the bed and positions his body over mine. Taking my lips again, he nips at the plump flesh. “I’ve needed you for so long, little thief. I’m not letting you go again.”
“You won’t have to. I’m not going anywhere.”
He runs a finger down my jaw, gazing at me with such hunger in his eyes that excitement zips through my body, making me wet. I run my hands up his bare chest, caressing every inch of exposed skin. Relearning every valley and bump by touch alone. It all feels so new, with a touch of familiarity.
Before Lennox I never believed in things like soul mates or happily ever afters. How could I with a past like mine? With a misguided mentor like my father? But now, I wanted that fairy-tale ending. I wanted to break the chains that held me down and stand by the man I considered my hero as we took down those that opposed us.
