Velvet Kisses

by Addison Moore

  “Hey, stranger”—I graze over her ear with my teeth—“you still looking for a one-night stand?”

  She shakes her head. “I’m looking for love—and thankfully found it. I think maybe that’s what I was looking for all along.” Marley wraps her arms around my neck. “You still have a thing or two to teach me, Professor James?”

  “I’ve got a lesson I’m dying to give you.” I grind my hips into hers. “It’s pretty hard. It’ll need your full attention.”

  Marley clasps on tight as we sway to the music. Her hair, her body, the way her eyes make the world fade to gray—everything about Marley Jackson is poetry in motion. We dance for what feels like a perfect eternity with her in my arms the way I like it, the way I need it to be.

  “You are amazing.”

  Marley mewls like a kitten as her eyes lock with mine. “And you are about to get very, very lucky.”

  “Let’s get out of here.” I clasp her hand as we thread our way through the crowd. My body has been craving hers for the last few weeks. I almost took her right there on that hike this afternoon.

  We head out into the cool night, the thick scent of cigarettes and beer mingle in the air.

  “Well, look who’s here—together.” A voice gripes from behind.

  I turn and spot Monica with a long, black coat wrapped tightly around her. She looks as if she’s headed to a funeral. Her eyes give me that shifting gaze, the one that says I’m disappointed in you and sorry all at the same time.

  “We are together.” I pull Marley close. No sense in hiding anything. “Look, Monica, Marley didn’t publish that article. It was a malicious attempt to keep us apart by someone who was angry with her. And, just so you know, nothing or nobody can possibly achieve that.” My hard stare, my stern words, they both act as a warning. “One more thing—if people don’t respect Marley, they don’t respect me.”

  “I get it.” She holds up her hands a moment before turning to Marley. “I apologize if I’ve been anything but civil to you this semester.”

  “No apology necessary.” I can feel Marley edging into me as if she wants to bolt to the parking lot.

  “No, it is.” Monica stuffs her hands in her pockets. “I thought we could have something, Wyatt, but I guess our time has come and gone.”

  “I guess it has.” Now it’s me who wants to bolt.

  She looks at Marley. “I probably shouldn’t disclose this, since it won’t be official until next week, but it looks as if Rags to Riches has bypassed the competition by a mile. You and your teammates will have the prize money to share. Congratulations.”

  “Oh, my, God! Ten thousand dollars! I don’t even care that I have to split it with Will! That’s terrific! I can’t wait to tell Baya.” She touches her hand to her chest. “Thank you for letting me know.”

  Monica gives an uneasy nod. “I really am happy for the two of you. Be good to him. I’ll be watching,” she whispers, heading into the bar. Something tells me she’s being sincere. And I’m glad. I wish Monica nothing but the best.

  “Let’s go home.” I kiss Marley, twirling her in my arms into the night. “How about after finals you move to the ranch with me for the summer?”

  “Really? Finals are next week!” She jumps and arches her head back as far as it can go. “Yes! I would love, love, love to move to the ranch with you!”

  “I have to warn you, though, I may never let you leave.”

  “I may never want to.” She softens into me. “I know I won’t.”

  I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder. Marley bubbles with laughter all the way to the car.

  Things are as they should be.

  Finally.

  * * *

  Marley sits beneath the sheets with her laptop open as she pecks away at the keyboard.

  “What’s up? Working on a paper?” I ask as I bring us both a midnight snack from the kitchen, more like a 3:00 AM snack. I sneak in a quick 3:00 AM kiss to go with the grapes and ice cream I managed to excavate from the fridge.

  “Oh, just updating some old files. You want to see?” She gives a coy smile.

  Her hair is messy. Her makeup slightly smudged just the way I like it. We spent the last four hours servicing one another, making love like it was our last night on earth, the first night of the rest of our lives, and it is. It’s going to be a beautiful life with Marley by my side.

  “Yes, I want to see.” I hand feed her a grape as her head bows back. Her neck elongates to receive it like a goddess, and I’m spellbound. “Let me check it out.”

  Marley sets the computer over my lap, and I take it. A dirty grin breaks out over my face as I take in what’s in front of me.

  “Hot damn.”

  Marley Jackson

  Life With My Man

  The sexual life and times of a dedicated girlfriend.

  The one and only subject: Wyatt James (e.g. My man!)

  Quantity and Variety: My man and I have had many, amazing, mind bending, beautiful encounters. An assortment of positions are always utilized to ensure maximum and equal pleasure. (I blame his good looks and huge heart for enticing me into wanting more!) Fortunately, I never have to fake the big O because he cares enough that I have one. His body is definitely up to par, and I’m happy to report that none of his man parts are lacking. Even in my inexperience, I’m well aware that he is far superior to any other male on this planet. Every part of me understands that, with Wyatt in my life, things will just keep getting better!

  Positives: He is tenacious once things get going—and he keeps it up all night long. He expends said tenacious energy on trying to work whatever position best pleasures me. Can you say selfless?! I knew this was the start to a beautiful love affair from the first night he took me to his place.

  Negatives: There are moments we are actually not joined at the hips.

  On a scale of one to ten (one being a mental plea for my virginity), I give my man a thousand and five. Wyatt James is totally aware of how vitally he has mastered the art of lovemaking. It’s beautiful to think he can make a career of making love, and, fortunately, his lovemaking will strictly be relegated to me. I plan to keep him gainfully employed.

  “I just reworded things a little. You know, a little tweak here and there until it had a ring of truth. I was going to plaster this all over Whitney Briggs but decided it’s probably best if this is for your eyes only.” She snuggles into me.

  “Agreed.” I press a hot kiss to her forehead and linger.

  Marley looks up with those sky-dusted eyes. “I used to think love was for other people—that I was cursed in that department. I’m happy to say you’ve proven me wrong. Thank you for that.”

  “I used to have the same frame of mind. Thank you.” I place the laptop down and pull Marley into my arms. I hold a grape before her, and she clasps it between her teeth. “You own me.” I growl it out, desperate, like a prayer. There is no bigger truth.

  “Those are beautiful words. But I might need you to repeat them on a daily basis. At least for the first twenty years.” She winks, reaching for the ice cream. Her mouth falls open as she reads the label. “Chocolate with vanilla and peanut butter swirls? I think we just went from someone loves me to someone is gunning for a blowjob.”

  “There’s a reason I didn’t bring any spoons,” I warn, slipping my hand between her thighs.

  “Good.” She takes off the lid and smears the cool peanut butter swirl over my chest. “We won’t be needing any.”

  I take the carton, and we douse each other with the icy contents.

  She screams through a laugh, and I cover her mouth with mine.

  Marley and I both thought we didn’t deserve love—that it was something reserved for other people. We each believed we were cursed in that arena. It turns out we not only deserve love, but found it with each other. There was no curse, just a rocky course to get to the right person.

  Together we’re more than right.

  It feels incredible like this, perfect, the way it should be�
��just Marley and me.

  A Note from the Author

  Thank you for reading Velvet Kisses (3:AM Kisses 6). If you enjoyed this book please consider leaving a review at your point of purchase. Look for Wild Kisses (3:AM Kisses 7) Piper and Owen’s story coming soon!

  Books by Addison Moore

  New Adult Romance

  3:AM Kisses (3:AM Kisses 1)

  Winter Kisses (3:AM Kisses 2)

  Sugar Kisses (3:AM Kisses 3)

  Whiskey Kisses (3:AM Kisses 4)

  Rock Candy Kisses (3:AM Kisses 5)

  Velvet Kisses (3:AM Kisses 6)

  Burning Through Gravity (Burning Through Gravity 1)

  A Thousand Starry Nights (Burning Through Gravity 2) 2015

  Fire in an Amber Sky (Burning Through Gravity 3) 2015

  Beautiful Oblivion (Beautiful Oblivion 1)

  Beautiful Illusions (Beautiful Oblivion 2)

  Beautiful Elixir (Beautiful Oblivion 3) 2015

  The Solitude of Passion

  Someone to Love (Someone to Love 1)

  Someone Like You (Someone to Love 2)

  Someone For Me (Someone to Love 3)

  Celestra Forever After (Celestra Forever After 1)

  The Dragon and the Rose (Celestra Forever After 2)

  The Serpentine Butterfly (Celestra Forever After 3) 2015

  Perfect Love (A Celestra Novella)

  Young Adult Romance

  Ethereal (Celestra Series Book 1)

  Tremble (Celestra Series Book 2)

  Burn (Celestra Series Book 3)

  Wicked (Celestra Series Book 4)

  Vex (Celestra Series Book 5)

  Expel (Celestra Series Book 6)

  Toxic Part One (Celestra Series Book 7)

  Toxic Part Two (Celestra Series Book 7.5)

  Elysian (Celestra Series Book 8)

  Ephemeral (The Countenance Trilogy 1)

  Evanescent (The Countenance Trilogy 2)

  Entropy (The Countenance Trilogy 3)

  Ethereal Knights (Celestra Knights)

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many wonderful people to say thank you to. First and foremost to my dedicated readers who have given me so much wonderful feedback and support regarding the 3:AM Kisses Series. I hope you enjoyed Marley and Wyatt’s story as much as the others if not more. A very heartfelt thank you to my amazing street team, Addison’s Angels! You have no idea what it means to me that you work tirelessly to support my novels. There simply aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. I heart you all!

  Rachel Tsoumbakos you really outshined yourself this time! Thank you for your spectacular x-ray, proofreading vision. I’m forever in your debt. Christina Kendler, thank you for putting up with all of my crazy! Please don’t pull your precious hair out because of me. I’m not worthy! To Kathryn Jacoby my right hand gal! You are a force to be reckoned with! I’m so glad to have you on my side! A million thank yous would never be enough.

  Tabby Coots I can’t thank you enough for all of your enthusiasm! You are amazingly kind and insightful. Thank you for being such a sweet friend! To Rachel Dicks, thank you for taking the time to read the manuscript and give me your thoughts! They are always good ones! And a special thank you to Lisa Markson for all of your incredible support and generosity. I feel so lucky to know you!

  To the fabulous Sarah Freese, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me crucial pieces of advice that helped make Marley and Wyatt’s story a special one. Hugs to you girl! I feel so blessed to get to work with you!

  And last, but never least, thank you to Him who sits on the throne. Worthy is the Lamb. Glory and honor and power are yours. I owe you everything.

  About the Author

  Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.

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