Page 241 of Time Stops With You

Nothing but pleasure dominates my thoughts as Cullen explores every part of me, from my waist to my neck.

I’m strung tight, humming like live wire by the time he’s finished with his patient inspection.

“Please,” I beg, my body throbbing and my fingers clawing his pale shoulder. “I want you, but not if it hurts you.”

Cullen looks down at me. His beanie and his shirt have been flung away by my impatient fingers. He looks so handsome in the darkness, so firmly resolute.

“I made you a promise, and I’m going to keep it. I’m ready, Nardi.”

I bite down on my bottom lip, watching him as he throws off the rest of his clothes and smiles down bravely at me. Cullen knows more than I do how much this night with me will take from him, but he isn’t crying about it like I am.

“Nardi,” he calls my name again in that soft, gentle way.

I stare into his silver eyes, overcome with emotions. “Yes?”

“Will you be my first?”

The struggling desperation to give this man the whole world makes my fingers tremble. I reach up to grip Cullen’s cheek, rub my fingers against his stubble and pull him into me.

Cullen moves just as gently and deliberately as when he was kissing me. I wait for him to tear into me, but he doesn’t. His lips linger on my mouth and his hand tangles in mine as if he has all the time in the world. As if he will not be rushed by our cruel fate.

And Time must take pity on us—the two, doomed mortals holding each other tightly—because it really does feel like we’re no longer bound by reality. Moments stretch into infinity. I spend eternity trapped in his arms, dazzled by his love, humbledby the way pleasure flutters through me in response to his tenderness.

Cullen keeps his promise of breaking me only to build me back.

I am ruined for anyone else.

After, he retreats to the other side of the bed. His back is turned, but I can tell that he’s clutching his chest. Every part of me wants to spring on him and ask if he’s okay, but I give him space instead.

Reaching for his T-shirt, I pull it on and tiptoe to the kitchen where I pour a glass of water. I don’t know which of his medication he can take, so I bring them all and set them on the dresser.

Cullen offers a pained smile. “Thank you.”

I nod and hug myself, watching as he takes another pill and settles into bed with a grimace.

He notices me giving him a wide berth. In a strained voice, he pats the sheets that are rumpled from our passion. “Come back, Nardi.”

“I don’t think we should do that again.”

“Was it not good?” He looks worried.

“No, it was amazing.”

He smiles.

“But I’m afraid you might end up in the hospital if we push it.”

“As long as you’re willing, I want to spend all night with you,” Cullen says faintly.

I’d feel better about lovemaking all night if he wasn’t flinching just to speak.

He pats the bed in a way that brooks no arguments. I get in, keeping my distance. A long, pale arm bands around my stomach and I’m being drawn up against his body. With no otherchoice, I snuggle against him. For a while, we just bask in each other’s company.

Until Cullen interrupts the quiet.

“I want you to build the restaurant with the money I leave you,” he whispers.

My eyes widen. “Cullen.”

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