Falling with Grace - Page 158

He paused his downward momentum and stood straight, his shoulders squaring, his hand tightening around my throat. “Compliment yourself.”

I raised a brow. “What?”

He pointed to me through the mirror. “I want you to compliment the woman you see.”

Scoffing, I shrugged my shoulders with a shake of my head. “I can’t do that.”

“No?”

His hard erection pressed against me as he pushed me closer to the countertop, my hands bracing against it. My chest tightened as a single tear fell down my cheek. “I don’t see someone worth complimenting.”

“Take another look.”

The reality settled deep in my bones and seared my soul, my darkest fears bubbling up to the surface like black tar pulling down its unsuspecting victims.

“Because I see a strong and determined woman.” He lined himself up at my center and pressed in, issuing a long sigh with every deliciously thick inch. His lips pressed against my scars as he shoved himself home.

I gasped, my eyes pinching shut, my head hanging down as I relished the stretch. “My answer remains the same.”

“Hmm.” A grumble erupted between us as he moved, hard and fast, his hand clasping my breast. I covered his hand with mine, basking in the heat of his touch. “Tell me she’s beautiful.”

I shook my head. “No.”

He thrust in deep.

“Ahh.” My teeth clamped down my cheek.

“Listen to me, Grace.”

Molten heat spread throughout my belly, my body squeezing him as electrical jolts raced across my flesh. “I’m going to—”

“Not until you see yourself as I do.” He stilled.

“Don’t stop.” I whimpered, pushing against him. “I’m so close.” I slipped my hand between mylegs.

He grabbed me, halting my fingers before they could delve between my folds, and twisted it behind my back. “Look at her again.”

“Fine.” I jerked against him with a sigh. “She’s beautiful.”

“Like you mean it,mi amor.”

My chest ached as the tears burned my lids, the pain in my chest rivaling the ache between my legs. “I…I do mean it.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He pushed in deep and slow, drawing out the agony. A tear dribbled down my cheek and dropped onto the counter below.

His hand cupped my cheek and pulled my gaze to meet his. “Wars have been fought for women like you, Grace.” Lips touched my wet cheek, his tongue swiping at the salty tear. “One day you will see your worth, then you’ll know what I see in you.”

With a hard thrust, he found the end of me, pulling a gasp from my tightened lips, his words riding on the coattails of the eruption in my belly, my blood boiling over as I collapsed onto the cool counter, my breaths leaving fog across its surface.

“So much for that shower.”

34

Grace

My sticky cheek pressed into his sweat-covered chest, his heart a steady rhythm against my ear.