Page 98 of Tangled in Vows

Although he doesn’t seem convinced, he nods. “Are you sure? If you still feel cold, you’ll soak in the tub, okay?”

“Yes, sir.”

His eyes flare, and a groan follows, and I bite my lip in response. Why is that so sexy?

He’s right, though. I am shivering, and I really should get under the warm spray. So I inhale a breath of courage, grab the hem of my top, and lift it over my head. I don’t miss the muttered curses or the way his dick twitches in his boxers. It serves as the final boost of confidence I need to lean forward, tug off my panties, and walk under the spray.

While I’m not a virgin, I’m not super experienced either. After what happened with Felix and his friends, sex wasn’t really on my to-do list. My career put other roadblocks in the way, so I only hooked up with two guys over the years. Unwilling to let my past experience ruin my chances of trying sex. Neither time was terrible, but they didn’t rock my world either. In retrospect, I could have done without either.

Considering the hungry expression in Holden’s gaze, I have a feeling he might change my outlook on sex. That everything will be different with him. So far, I’ve already felt more aroused than I have ever before with a man.

The warm water hits my skin, and I sigh in relief. The initial sting dissipates quickly, and I tilt my head back to rinse my face and hair. I feel his presence behind me before I see or hear him.I’m worried about being so exposed, but then his voice filters through the noise.

“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined you’d be. And so fucking sexy.”

I open my eyes and spin around.

Without his boxers, he’s even more glorious. His hard cock standing proud, and the metal at the tip glinting in the light.

I was right; he’s pierced.

“Holy shit.” Saliva collects in my mouth, and I swallow, unsure what to make of that discovery. Should I be excited because it’s something new and kind of badass, or should I be concerned I won’t enjoy it, or that it might even hurt? Although, according to my romance novels, it’s epic.

Holden takes a step toward me, and his thick erection bobs with the movement.

And yup, I’m still staring.

I watch his long fingers wrap around his length to give it a firm squeeze and tug. Absolutely mesmerized. I always thought they were exaggerating in books. Surely a penis can’t be more than a tool to be used for its designated purpose. One glance at Holden’s cock though, and I might turn into a believer. Because it is beautiful.

“Are you feeling better?”

His question catches me off guard because am I feeling better? I know he’s talking about my body warming up, which it thankfully has, but I think I’m feeling better overall.

Definitely flushed.

And you’re okay with everything he told you?

There’s a shitload of emotions and thoughts I need to sort through because, yes, this man has confessed to killing my past nightmare for me. I have a million questions for him and things we need to discuss, but for now, I know what I need to know.This man has always had my best interests at heart, maybe even too much. Putting my needs above his own, as if I matter more.

You don’t think you should be appalled and never want to see him again?

Maybe I should be, but I’m not. There are no ill feelings toward what he confessed.

He went to prison to protect me. How could I ever be mad about that or hold that against him?

I don’t answer his question. Instead, I close the distance between us and kiss this beautiful mountain of a man.

Our lips fuse, our tongues dance, and his arms hold me as though he never wants to let me go. He tastes like hope, absolution, and transformation—a new start. A life I thought was long lost.

Eventually, Holden pulls back, and I gasp for air.

For a heartbeat, I worry he’s stopping. But then his lips trace a slow, deliberate path along my jawline, tilting my head to the side for better access. His teeth scrape over the soft flesh of my earlobe before his mouth finds the sensitive spot right under it, descending my neck until my breath catches in my throat. When he reaches my collarbone, he pauses, the heat of his breath teasing my skin until my pulse spins out of control. His next kiss is a slow caress, barely there, so reverent I feel it deep behind my sternum.

“Tell me you want this.” His tongue flicks slowly over my skin. “Tell me I can fuck you the way I’ve dreamed about so many times.” He grabs both of my breasts and massages them.

I moan.

He takes one puckered nipple into his mouth and sucks hard.

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