Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Only for you.”
28
Tobias
At my words, the tension in Skye’s body loosens. Neither of us likes the enclosed space, but I can tell that with me here, she feels safe.
I’m not surprised that when she’s around, I’m not bothered, either. There is something between us, and as much as my emotions regarding Skye Matthews have ping-ponged over the past month, one thing is certain: I want her.
The need to seal her mouth with mine is all I think about. It consumes me. What will she taste like? Minty? Or maybe like strawberries? When she turns ever so slightly, my lips graze hers. Neither of my guesses were correct. She tastes like redemption.
I want to grab her and pull her into me, but I don’t. Not yet. I can wait. I won’t be greedy. I won’t take something not freely offered.
In the bathroom on the plane, it was clear she wanted me, but now I need her to make the first move.
She tilts her body closer, her lips touching mine, and that’s enough invitation. I wrap my arms around her and pull her close until our bodies touch. The tiny space between us is gone. We are fused like magnets. A groan escapes my lips at how small she feels next to me.
“We shouldn’t.”
Her words tickle my lips.
“Wrong answer,” I growl.
“Yes,” she whispers, and I finally take what I want.
“Right answer.” Our lips fuse.
Her lips are pliable under mine, opening of their own accord. My tongue swipes against hers, and she purrs in my arms.
Tongues tangling.
Hands roaming.
It’s hungry.
Desperate.
She’s kissing me as if she will never kiss me again. Which is not okay, so I kiss her harder. Implore with my mouth that this is happening. We are happening. I devour her until her small hands rest on my chest, and I move to pull away, resting my head on her forehead. I let her catch her breath.
“We shouldn’t have done that.”
“Do I need to kiss you again to show you why we did?”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe isn’t a yes. I want your yes.”
“You didn’t get one the last time . . .” she trails off.
I level her with my stare. “Yes. I did.”
“I don’t think—” Her words are interrupted by a scuffle somewhere near the door. The noise is loud and jarring against the quiet and isolation in the closet. Skye’s body tenses beside me. I can feel the rigid edges of her spine where I hold her. I pull my lips away.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but I am going to find out.”
“Do you think it’s safe?”
I would laugh, but something tells me that wouldn’t be the appropriate way to respond to her. Instead, I lean down and place a kiss on her forehead.
“I’ll be okay. You don’t have to worry about me. Now, stay put and be quiet. I’ll be back.”
“Okay.”
“Wait for me.”
“Okay.” Skye draws in a deep breath as I crack the door open before leaving.
She probably doesn’t want to stay in the closet, and I probably shouldn’t leave her in there, but I’m not sure what’s happening out there, and she wouldn’t want to be seen with me if there is a big commotion going on. The thought annoys me.
I understand she is here in a professional manner, and sneaking out of a closet with your client while out with another one won’t bode well for her career, let alone her reputation.
Luckily, there is no one outside the door, but I hear loud voices, and one sounds like Felix. I move toward the noise, careful not to be seen. The commotion is going on in the room adjacent to the back entrance. The exit sign brightly illuminates the space.
“You need to escort Mr. Bernard out of here,” the attorney general says to a few members of the security team.
“I have a ticket,” Felix retorts.
“I’m not sure how you managed that—”
“I happen to be a well-respected man in this community,” Felix cuts him off.
“Enough. I cannot have men like you seen in my presence. Leave.” The anger in the attorney general’s voice is palpable.
“Men like me? Men who donated to your campaign?”
“I don’t want your dirty money,” Attorney General Fitzpatrick hisses.
“That’s not what you said when I was handing over a check during your last election. My ‘legitimate money’”—he air quotes—“was good enough for you then.”
“Escort him out.” He turns away from Bernard.
I know that Felix brought Skye here, so I also know he will go looking for her.
Turning back around, I make my way back to the closet as quietly as possible, but as I swing the door open, I’m met with nothing.
Skye is gone.
29
Skye
The intensity of the kiss shakes me to the core. It felt like my body was moving of its own accord. As if I was hovering from above, watching myself get lost in Tobias but had no way to stop it.