Page 18 of Rose's Ripped Van Winkle

I keep my eyes open for a moment, taking his inventory: electric blue eyes shining so hot it’s as though he has a fever and a perfect nose even though it looks as though it was broken once. His lips part, perhaps to shower me with more praise, but he thinks better of it and leans closer to consume me with hot, desperate kisses.

His tongue sweeps into my mouth with a groan even as his hips grind against me. Does he even know he’s doing it? I don’t care as long as he never stops.

His hands roam my back, pulling me even closer until our bodies are flush. My fingers explore the hard, muscular lines of his back through his shirt. It only makes me want him more.

Suddenly, he pulls away, a look of confusion and fear in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Rose, I didn’t mean to…”

But before he can finish his sentence, I lean forward and press my lips onto his once again, silencing his apologies.

My body feels as though it’s on fire as Rip’s tongue delves into my mouth, his fingers trailing up and down my back.

As he pulls back, I can see the longing in his eyes, the raw emotion we both feel.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Rose,” he whispers, his voice hoarse with desire. “It’s been so long, so many years…”

I nod, feeling the same way. It’s as if we’ve always known each other, like we were meant to be together. As though we were waiting for the stars and planets and the heavens to align so we could have the perfection of this moment.

The taste of the black and white cookies is forgotten. The kitchen is a blur of passion and desire. As we break apart, I’m both breathless and desperate for more. Placing my hands on Rip’s chest, I feel his heartbeat pounding beneath my fingers.

How did this happen? How in the span of so few days did I develop such a powerful attraction? No. That’s the wrong question. How did I develop such deep affection?

They’re all stupid questions. The time for questions is over. I don’t wonder about my emotions anymore. They’re facts, carved in stone. I care deeply for this man who waited a century to find me.

“I feel it too,” I murmur, my lips so close they’re almost touching his. “It’s as if we’ve always known each other.”

He nods, his eyes filled with emotion as he takes me into his arms once more. We kiss passionately, our bodies entwined, and I feel as though I’m finally living the life I was meant to live.

As we continue kissing, Rip’s hands trail down my back, over my hips, and then down to my thighs. He lifts me effortlessly, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the couch.

He sets me down gently, his hands never leaving my body as he continues the kiss which was never broken. I moan softly, my fingers tangling in his long, caramel-colored hair as our passion ignites once more.

My body has never felt like this, like it's on fire and needs to be quenched. I'm frightened and out of my depth and absolutely positively don't want to stop.

Heat is flowing through my veins and pooling between my thighs. My nipples are hard, throbbing points, desperate for attention.

Finally, he pulls away, his gaze locking with mine.

“This is fast,” he says.

“I know.”

“The plan was to give you time.”

I nod. “I may have been sheltered, but I know a thing or two. I don't think I'm ready for everything, but I'm ready for more.”

Up to now, I thought I'd seen him in all his moods and knew his best angle in the best light, but the knowing smile he gives me blows all of that away. There's no other description than devastatingly handsome to describe the sexy way his glance eats me up.

“Perfect. I know just what the doctor ordered, pretty Rose.”

Chapter Seventeen

Rip

I'm not going to worry for one more minute that the beautiful woman next to me isn't a willing participant. She's eager, her lips bridging the distance between us, her fingers sliding under the waistband at the back of my jeans to touch more of my flesh.

Unable to wait another moment to taste her, I pull her close, pressing my lips against hers once again and savoring the sweetness of her mouth. She responds with the same intensity, her hands roaming my body, sending shivers down my spine.

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