Quest for Love: Los Angeles Armstrongs 1 (The Armstrongs Book 7) by Jessica Gray Page B

side.
    It felt so right having her here in his arms. So perfect. He gently stroked her bony hips. The night before came rushing back to him and he wondered if he’d been too rough. She was too skinny; he should have been more careful with her, or she might break.
    While his eyes took in the gorgeous sight of having her in his arms, his hands took on a life of their own wandering over her body, as he marveled at her silky skin and the flowery smell of her.
    Linda woke up as his hands reached her breasts and he felt her stiffen. She tried to turn away from his gaze, but he possessively held her in place, placing little kisses on her arms and shoulders. But she wriggled some more and grabbed for the blanket, trying to cover herself up.
    “Hey, don’t hide from me. Because I want to appreciate every inch of your gorgeous body in the light of the day.”
    Her face turned beet red, her blush spreading all the way down her neck and stopping just before the gentle swell of her breasts.
    Chuck devoured her with his eyes. “You are so beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with desire. He wanted to kiss every inch of her, explore her with his fingers and his eyes, but she pulled up the blanket to block his view of her naked body.
    “I’m not,” she protested.
    “Yes, you are.” He accentuated each word with a bevy of kisses. “Apart from your beautiful body, you have an amazing personality. And even your dog isn’t so bad.”
    Linda gave a short laugh, but tucked the blanket under her arms. “I’m none of that.”
    “You are. And more. You have a lovely smile, an intoxicating laughter, eyes that reveal your soul. Last night I tasted your gorgeous breasts, but now I want to see them too - watch your nipples turn hard and darken from my touch.”
    “Chuck,” she protested, her blush intensifying.
    This woman was a mystery to him. He could see his words were both embarrassing her and turning her on. He took her hand and moved it down to cup his growing erection, “Feel what you do to me? Everything about you is exciting, beautiful and lovable.”
    She backed away from him, carefully holding the blanket in place, “I’m not lovable.”
    “Linda…”
    She shook her head. “No. You don’t have to lie to me. I know the score. Nobody has ever loved me because it’s not possible.”  When he opened his mouth to tell her how wrong she was, she wouldn’t let him. “It’s okay. I’ve learned to live with it.”
    Chuck wanted to yell at her for being so stupid, but that probably wouldn’t help. He braced her shoulders and locked eyes with her. The pain in her big brown eyes threatened to undo him. “Linda, sweetheart. Then I’ll be the first one. I love you.”
    She burst into tears, her sobs shaking his body as he held her close. He was worried, uncomfortable, and wanted to run. He had no idea how to deal with a bawling woman. Whenever that had happened in his life, he’d been quick to shy away and let someone else deal with it. Like Tyler. His firefighting brother might play tough guy, but he was soft as a feather.
    Minutes later her sobbing finally subsided. “How…how can you think I’m beautiful?” she whispered.
    “Because you are. More beautiful than a supermodel, or even your mother.”
    Tears sprang down her cheeks again and he feared he’d said something wrong again. That’s what he got for talking more than he was comfortable with. “No, I’m not. Don’t say things like that. They aren’t true.”
    “Sweetheart, but they are,” he said. “Let me prove it. Let me make love to you again and I’ll worship every inch of your gorgeous body.”
    Linda shook her head in desperation. “No. I don’t want you to see me naked.”
    He chuckled. “I’ve already touched and tasted most of you. Why won’t you let me see you as well?”
    Linda shook her head, refusing.
    Chuck was torn between forcing the issue and giving in to her insecurities. He knew she actually believed how unlovable and ugly she