Page 190 of The Surprise Play

“Open your eyes.” His voice gets a little firmer.

Forcing my lids up, I take in his expression and don’t know what to think.

He looks disappointed or upset or something, and I don’t know why.

Should I apologize or?—

“I hate that you just said that about yourself.” Hesighs, completely gutted. “Didn’t I say before how much this shit kills me?”

I swallow, then bite my bottom lip because I can’t squeeze my finger or scratch my stomach right now. My hands are trapped within his, and he won’t let go.

Leaning his head forward, he keeps chasing my gaze until I’m looking right at him. “When I first met you, I checked you out. You know I did.”

My cheeks heat with color.

“And I saw this tutor who didn’t dress like any other girl I knew.”

I wince.

“And yeah, at first, I thought it was a little weird.” He looks me over, his lips twitching as he tweaks my cardigan, pulling it up on my shoulder. “But I kinda love it now. Because it’s who you are.”

I let out a soft, wispy sound. It’s supposed to be a laugh, but I seriously don’t know what just popped out.

“You’re hot, Satch. You have a great ass and these beautiful,beautifulboobs.” He stares at them, his gaze softening as he trails his eyes down to my feet. Resting his hands back on my hips, he keeps admiring me. “I love the shape of your body. These luscious curves.” His hands round over me, grabbing my fleshy butt cheeks and giving them a squeeze. “I love digging my fingers into your ass.” He grins, then looks me right in the eye. “Your soft edges turn me on, baby. And that is the God’s honest truth.”

My lips part, and I’m pretty sure my heart stopped beating somewhere around the “great ass and beautiful boobs” part.

“C’mere.” He stands up, taking my hands and walking me to his full-length mirror.

Turning me to face it, he stands behind me, bringing his hands around my body and cupping my breasts. Squeezing them, he lets out an appreciative moan before leaning down to whisper against my cheek. “You’re so fucking sexy I can hardly stand it sometimes. You’re no compromise, Satch. You’re first prize.”

CHAPTER 58

WILY

She shivers against me as I brush my lips across her cheek, then kiss a line down to her neck.

I hate her doubts and insecurities.

I hate that she doesn’t see herself the way I do.

I have to make her believe how much she means to me. How fucking amazing she is.

“Satch?” I whisper, slowly pulling the cardigan off her shoulders.

“Yeah.” Her voice is wispy, her vulnerable eyes tearing my heart out when I look at her reflection.

Smiling, I rest my chin on top of her head. “Tell me you’re amazing.”

She smiles. “You’re amazing.”

“No.” I nip her waist, enjoying her yelp and giggle. “Say it.”

Biting her lip, she gives me a pained wince. “Do I have to?”

“Yes.” I start lifting her dress, pulling the soft fabricup until she’s forced to raise her arms and let me take it off.

She goes to cover her body so she doesn’t have to look at herself, but I grab her wrists before she can, holding them lightly and caressing my thumb over her racing pulse.