Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Floor to ceiling windows that gave the most breathtaking nighttime view of the city. Dark furniture amongst light gray walls and beautiful dark woods.
“Wow. This is…amazing.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you came.”
He stood there in familiar attire that I’d seen him wear before. Dark slacks and a white button up, this time missing a tie and a few buttons undone.
The extra revelation of tanned skin and light smattering of chest hair set the blood in my veins on fire. Somehow, while I’d been stripped to various stages, he always remained clothed, which made the undone buttons appear scandalous.
I looked around, avoiding his gaze, and holding my breath, wondering how long it would take for him to bring up his proposal. I waited on pins and needles, dreading the moment because I still didn’t have an answer.
Despite forcing myself to push for an answer the entire ride over. I thought about marrying Lucian Daire and earned myself a curious look from my driver when I couldn’t help but giggle. The idea of saying yes sounded insane, but something inside me couldn’t bring myself to say no either. I kept hoping to wake up to one of them feeling stronger than the next.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked from right behind me.
I jumped, the breath rushing from my lungs. I’d been so lost in thought that I hadn’t noticed how close he’d moved. His warmth reached between the limited space between us, initiating the game of anticipation he loved to play with me. His fingers gently brushed against the small of my back, raising the stakes as he walked past to the kitchen.
I stood still, waiting for the heated thrill from a simple touch to pass, scared that if I tried to step, my legs would collapse into the molten lava that brewed in my core. Instead, I tracked him with my eyes.
“Yes, please.”
He passed the white marbled island to the opposite wall of dark cabinets and opened a door to reveal a tall wine fridge. “Is Stag’s Leap Cab good?”
“Yes.” I swallowed. It’d been over a month, but it still surprised me he remembered the kind of wine I liked. Not because I told him, but because he noticed. There was something subtly intoxicating—a different kind of seduction—when someone took the time to notice the little details about you.
When he turned his back, I managed to unglue my feet from the floor and lean against the island just in time to watch him uncork the bottle.
My legs clenched around nothing as I watched his hands work. Apparently, I considered everything he did an act of turning me on, and I refused to beat myself up for being so easy. I could do that later when I analyzed every second of the night, but for now, I just wanted to bask in it all after a week without.
“Thank you,” I said when he passed the glass.
After taking a sip, I turned toward the open living room and wall of windows with the city skyline twinkling outside. Walking toward the low couches, I scanned the vast space. A bar and seating area to the right, around a corner from the kitchen. A set of stairs to the left. A dining room table for at least ten past the steps. All surrounded by glass.
“Why so big?” I asked. Surely one man didn’t need however many bedrooms filled the second floor.
“Why not?” He came to stand beside me and shrugged. “I entertain clients here, and I enjoy the space.”
I hummed, taking another sip, wondering if he ever imagined it for anything other than business. “Do you want a family?” I regretted the question when I saw him wince out of the corner of my eye. Did he think I was asking because I wanted to know before answering his proposal?
God, I hadn’t even considered kids or family when he asked, and now I held my breath, unsure of the emotions rising up and dangling me over a precipice of more indecision.
“I want a place to coerce clients into giving me the best deal.”
Part of me wanted to prod his non-answer, while the other latched onto the escape from the topic. “So, do you have family that visits?”
“No.”
“Oh.” His abrupt answer startled me. “What about your godpar—”
“I want to try something else tonight,” he cut in, turning to face me.
The irritation rising up my throat died when I looked at him. Dark promise swirled through his gaze, all of it directed down on me. Moisture drained from my mouth and pooled between my legs. I had no idea what he wanted to try, but thinking back on the list of options, I knew the possibilities were endless.
“Like what?” I asked breathlessly.
His eyes sparked with devious intent as they dropped to my lips. My tongue traced the ignited tingle, remembering the one and only time we’d kissed. He slowly raised his hand and brushed his thumb along my mouth, chasing my tongue. “I want to spank you somewhere else.”