Page 141 of Left on Read

“So much. You make me happier than I’ve ever been, and I really hope I do the same for you.”

“You do.” He swallowed.

“And I want to keep loving you because you’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner. I love everything about you, River.”

His eyes fluttered closed, and he drew in a shaky breath. “Can you say that again?”

“I love you, River. I love everything about you.”

“I love you too.” He pulled me closer.

I fell against his chest and held him tight.

“I’m so in love with you.” He kissed my hair, my temple, then my forehead. “You’re everything, baby.”

I tilted my face to his, needing his kiss.

He obliged and covered my mouth with his.

His kiss was soft and sweet and so achingly perfect my stomach swooped and my heart sang.

“You’re mine.” He nibbled on my jaw, holding me so tight I could barely pull in a full breath. “Mine.” He kissed my pulse point.

“Yes. And you’re mine.” I ran my hand through his glossy hair, pushing it back from his face.

He devoured my mouth, kissing me with so much tenderness and passion my head spun.

I climbed onto his lap, needing more of his kisses. Needing all of him.

“Wait, baby.” He gently pushed me back. “Let’s go upstairs.”

“I’m glad you said that, because I have a surprise for you.”

“For me?” He helped me climb off him.

“Yup. And for me.” I grabbed his hand and tugged. He stood, his smirk-smile firmly in place.

“And what is this surprise?”

“You’ll see.” With a saucy wink, I let go of his hand and dashed out of the room.

He spluttered with laughter, his heavy footfalls landing behind me as he chased me up the stairs and into my room.

His strong arm caught me around the waist just as I reached my bed. He spun me around and gave me another deep kiss.

“So, what’s the surprise?” he asked when we had to pull apart to take a few needed breaths.

I’d never understood how people in books or movies could forget to breathe while kissing someone, but with River, it was like my brain and body forgot about everything except him, and that included breathing.

“Check in my night table.”

He nipped at my lower lip.

With the grace of a jungle cat, he knelt on my bed and crawled up to my night table.

My stomach clenched with anticipation.

He pulled out the lube and the handcuffs I’d stashed in there earlier. His eyes met mine, his stare so filled with desire I actually whimpered.