Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
I lowered my gaze back down to his chest and felt embarrassment flood me. I had my hands gripping the lapels of his tux jacket. I quickly let go and moved a step back, so our chests were no longer touching—although that sensation of not being pressed up against him seemed so abhorrent.
“What’s your name?” he asked in this deep voice.
I glanced down, feeling my face heat, thankful for the mask that would hopefully hid the very physical reaction of my humiliation. He still had his hands on my waist, and his touch felt hot and cold, electrifying yet grounding.
“Beatrix,” I whispered, unsure why I freely gave it to him.
He didn’t say anything for long seconds, and I wondered if he was rolling my name around inside that gorgeous head of his. “I’m Logan, Beatrix.” I didn’t miss how he lowered his eyes to my lips. “You’re steady?” he finally asked in a deep and thick-sounding voice.
I looked up at him from under my lashes and nodded before licking my lips nervously. “Yes. Thank you,” I whispered. He let go of my waist, but I was well aware of how his hands slid along my body, as if he too didn’t want to let me go.
But then again, the most rational reason was it was all in my head.
For a second, we just stared at each other, and I could imagine it was just the two of us, that there weren’t people all around us, that I wasn’t about to auction off myself to the highest bidder.
I wouldn’t mind it if he bought me.
That random, out-of-the-blue thought slammed into my head, and I cleared my throat. “Thank you again,” I said a little louder this time, offered him what was no doubt a very awkward smile, and turned to ascend the rest of the stairs and head inside. But I felt his gaze on me the entire time and chanced a look over my shoulder before entering the house.
And as our gazes clashed again, as it was clear he hadn’t taken his focus off of me this whole time, I felt a strange sensation move through me, this undeniable desire I’d never felt before.
I didn’t know what it was about this man that drew me so instantly, but a part of me said it had to be dangerous if it was this potent.
Chapter Five
Logan
I could still feel her pressed up against me, could still smell that light, floral fragrance that clung to her. It hadn’t been artificial, was no doubt her natural scent.
It intrigued me… aroused me.
It had taken every ounce of willpower and self-control not to get an erection as her very feminine form had been up against me.
I had seen her instantly as I made my way toward the front doors, this unique creature walking alone, her nervousness evident. She wasn’t used to these functions; that was clear in the way she kept swallowing, and the fact that her eyes darted left and right, as if she were afraid she was in the wrong place and someone would notice.
And someone did notice. Me. And I fucking grew intoxicated by it, addicted to finding out who she was.
I picked up my pace so I was closer to her, watching her ascend the steps, taking in her curves, how her green dress formed to her body. I’d been surrounded by so many fake women my entire life, the socialites, ones who lifted their noses at anyone who they felt were beneath them. My mother had been like that, my first experience on how our life really worked.
I strived to not be like that, to not let wealth or status cloud who I was or change my basic need to be a good man.
And this mysterious, out-of-place female drew me like a lighthouse amidst a storm, this beacon of hope and warning, so I didn’t crash against the rocks.
This pull I had to her made no fucking sense. I’d seen her from afar but right away felt this invisible string connect us. It was insane, unrealistic. That’s what people would say. But maybe they’d only think that, because they never experienced it before. Maybe they’d know how real love at first sight was if they’d actually felt that emotion grip its warm, powerful fist around their heart and squeeze until there was no doubt it was real.
After our encounter, I followed her in the house, but she’d been swallowed by the sea of bodies. I wasn’t ashamed to admit I searched for her from the moment I stepped foot inside. But here we were an hour after that, and I wasn’t any closer to seeing her again.
But I wouldn’t give up. I wasn’t a man who stopped going after what he wanted. If I were, then I never would be in the position I was in, not have the success I did.