“
The second you
’
re ready to take off that tiara–
”
“
You
’
ll be the first to know.
”
“
You won
’
t miss it,
”
he says, matter-of-fact. One side of his lip curls up as he leans in to press his mouth to mine.
“
In fact,
”
he starts, talking in between long kisses,
“
I bet
... I can
... make you
... forget
... all about it.
”
He pulls my knee up beside him so his body can align with mine, then his hand travels up my thigh and over my hip. He moves against me slowly, gripping the side of my waist with need.
“
I bet you can,
”
I half-whisper, half-moan. I place my hands by his ears and hold his head in front of mine so he can see into my eyes.
“
Just not tonight. I can
’
t tonight. I keep hearing him say how I
’
m his princess.
”
My eyes start to water.
“
Even with me, right here, doing this to you?
”
He shifts slightly, reminding every inch of my body where he is, reminding every inch of my body where I
want
him.
I bite my lip and blink, letting a lone tear fall. I nod my head.
“
Well, Olivia,
”
he says as his thumb removes the moisture from my cheek.
“
I look forward to the day when I can make you
mine
.
”
He moves to my side, scooting me over on the couch and resting his leg across my body. He removes his hand from beneath my sweater to caress my face as he kisses me sweetly and slowly. I rub my hand against his tattoo.
Thank God I
’
m not dreaming.
He starts to play with my hair.
My fingers venture beneath his shirt, lightly scraping his chest and abdominal muscles.
His thumb occasionally brushes against my ear, then my temple.
I move one of my legs out from beneath his and angle my body toward him. I suck in a quick breath at the contact he provides, and can
’
t hide the smile.
“
Olivia,
”
he says softly, his firm grip massaging the nape of my neck and holding my lips close to his. I wouldn
’
t pull away if I could.
His fingers outstretched, weaving through my hair, he starts to gently pull at strands with the rhythm of his body moving against mine.
“
I love you, Jon,
”
I tell him as he pushes me back against the couch cushions and puts the weight of his body back onto mine. He returns my sentiment, quickly, passionately, and I know he means it. I revel in the feeling of being loved completely. Loved by him.
He moves the sweater down, exposing my shoulder and collarbone. He kisses every patch of bare skin he can, stretching the clothing to accommodate all the places he wants to kiss me.
Wanting to do the same for him, I tug at his clothes, and as I
’
m scratching his back, drawing the shirt up and eventually over his head, the tiara finds its way onto the basement floor. We both hear the crystal-studded headband
’
s soft thud on the carpet, but neither of us
acknowledges
it.
I drop his shirt on top of it, deciding not to give it another thought.
No, not tonight.
MORE BOOKS BY LORI L. OTTO
Lost and Found
-
Emi Lost & Found series : Book One
Time Stands Still
-
Emi Lost & Found series : Book Two
Never Look Back
-
Emi Lost & Found series : Book Three
Not Today, But Someday
-
the prequel to the Emi Lost & Found series
For more information on where to buy additional books, click
here
.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Clarinda Alcalen
Katie Galatzan
Rachel Nelson
Lexi Hart
•
Nikki Haw
Angela Meyer
•
Kristina Evans
Stephanie Barone
Shirley Otto
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Inspired by popular fiction and encouraged by close friends,
Lori L. Otto
returned to writing in the winter of 2008. After a sixteen-year hiatus, she rediscovered her passion for fiction and began writing what would soon become her first series: Emi Lost & Found. Although the books of Nate, Emi and Jack have concluded, other characters from the books continued their own journeys, demanding their stories be told.
Lori is currently working on two spin-off series. Contessa, the first in the Choisie series, is Lori
’
s fourth full-length novel, and her first foray into the Young Adult genre.
Website:
http://www.loriotto.com
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/lori_otto
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LoriLOtto
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/lori_otto