Page 52 of Second Draft

Those damn walls of hers are still up, and I want more than she’s ready to give me. But for now, what we’re doing is working.

“It’s a gift,” I say, moving around the table, and kissing her. Open it.”

Biting her bottom lip, she pulls the box out of the bag, and gasps.

“It’s a MacBook Pro.” I wrap my arms around her so that her back is against my chest, and nuzzle my nose in her hair, breathing in her sweet scent. “I thought you could use an upgrade on the dinosaur that you have.”

“I can’t accept this.” She puts the box back on the table. “It’s worth more than I make in an entire month.”

A part of me wants to correct her. It’s more than shedidmake in a month. I’ve finally convinced her to go take a leave from both jobs. Her only condition was that she still volunteer at the Animal Shelter each week.

“Now that you have some free time, I thought you might like to write some more. You can barely get on the internet with that old thing.”

“I told you, I’m not writing anymore.” She frowns, looking away.

“That was before.”

“Before what?”

I grip her chin and plant a hard kiss on her lips, then pull back with a smirk “Before me.”

She laughs and shakes her head.

“I think I’ve given you some new writing material.” I wink, and tip her nose playfully.

“You have.” Her lips twitch up, her eyes sparkling.

I love that smile. The one when she allows herself a moment to set aside her fear. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does it does something inside of me.

“I can give you a few more things to write about right now.” I pull her against my chest, and rake my teeth across the soft skin below her ear, and feel her tremble.

Being with Layla, spending time with her, is the best thing in the world. But God, the sex – it’s beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. Maybe because my emotions are involved. I don’t know. I just know that every time we make love, it’s like the first time. Pure, erotic pleasure, mixed with raw emotions. The combination is untainted rapture.

“You’re changing the subject.” Her voice is a half whimper as my hands and mouth stroke across her sensitive skin.

“Maybe,” I smile. “But I have something else to show you.”

Another frown tugs at her lips. She hates gifts and surprises, but I’m praying she’ll love this one.

“What is it?” Her eyes narrow suspiciously.

“Come on and I’ll show you.” I take her hand, pulling her to the back stairwell that leads to the basement and open the door.

“You’re finally going to let me see your new man cave?”

I chuckle at the small lie I’d told her to keep her away from the construction. “Close your eyes.”

“I’m not going to close my eyes and walk down the stairs.”

“And I’m not going to let you fall. Now close your damn eyes.”

She sighs like I’ve just asked her to clean the toilets, or something equally as terrible, but finally submits.

“Keep them closed,” I warn, taking her elbows and leading her down, past the laundry room, and opening the double, barn style doors that lead to the main living area.

Flicking on the lights, I inhale my own shaky breath and drag my fingers through my hair, hoping to hell that she’s not going to be pissed about this.

“Well?” she asks, eyes still closed.

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