Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Why not?”
“I like it.”
“Thanks for the vote of approval.”
She led him to a bench facing the canal. “Let’s take a seat over there.”
They ate in silence. When she was done, she turned to him and pulled her knees up to her chin. “Where are you staying?”
“Not far.”
“Hotel?”
“No.”
“You don’t want to tell me?”
“No.”
A wounded look invaded her eyes. “I see. You have a girlfriend waiting for you.”
“Nope.”
“Wife?” she asked in a solemn tone.
“Boss.”
“The French guy from the club? Joss, right?”
“Right.”
“Your address is confidential?”
“Joss is a private person.”
“What are you doing in Amsterdam?”
“Joss is here on business. I’m flying him around.”
“Wow, private plane and pilot. I knew the guy was loaded, but I didn’t realize how much.”
“He’s got means.”
“What business?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
She tilted her head, observing him with a downward pull to her beautiful lips. “I guess we all have our secrets.”
“Do you?”
She turned away and faced the water. “Who doesn’t?”
“Sky?”
“Mm?”
“Look at me, please.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “What?”
“What did you see in our future?”
“I already told you.”
“Why do I have a feeling that there’s more?”
“Everyone thinks there should be more, especially if they don’t like the prediction.”
“How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“See the future?”
“Some people are good at ballet or baseball. I’m good at this.” She got to her feet. “Let’s go. It’s getting late.”
He dumped their garbage in the trashcan and followed. “How did you meet Doumar?”
“It was a long time ago, a story not worth telling.”
“Are you happy with him?”
She stopped to look at him, her lips slightly apart. For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Her mouth opened wider, but instead of speaking, she pursed her lips and smiled. “What a curious creature you are.”
“Is that bad?”
“Yes.”
She ran her hands over his abdomen, caressing him with her palms. His muscles contracted in response, stirring desires best left dormant.
She went on tiptoes, bringing her lips an inch from his. “In a city like this, you can end up dead for asking the right questions.”
With his occupation, he traveled constantly, enough to have met plenty of women from all walks of life, but never one like her. She called to him like a siren, rendering him brainless with nothing but an awareness of her sweet mouth and sad eyes.
“Sky.” He’d never touched another man’s woman before. He didn’t want to start now, but she made it damn difficult. “I’m only a man.”
“Yeah.” She brushed their lips together. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
Damn.
Damn.
He was going to kiss her. He couldn’t help himself.
Catching her around the waist, he dipped her to have easier access to her mouth. The taste of that forbidden fruit was worth every ounce of guilt it ignited. She kissed him lightly, but her body rubbed up against his with an underlying urgency that tightened his cock. If he let their embrace continue for one more second, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
With a groan born from frustration, he pulled away, keeping his hands on her waist to prevent her from tripping. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”
She wiped her mouth with the tips of her fingers. “Isn’t that the point of playing?”
“If I kiss you, Sky, it’s because I want to love your body, and I don’t mean once. I only sleep with a woman I intend on having for more than one night when she’s mine. I don’t share. Do you understand?”
“If you’re not into sharing, why did you come to the club?”
“Don’t ask the wrong questions.”
“I’m asking the right ones.”
“You’re better off not going there.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No. It’s called caring.”
Her delicate jaw tightened. “Don’t tell me you care. At least be honest if you’re planning on using me.”
His body tensed in alarm. Could she know? “Where the hell did that come from?”
She turned away and headed up the street.
He ran to catch up with her. “I’ll walk you home.”
“I’m a big girl, Mr. Black.”
“I know that, and I think we’re long past the point of being formal.”
“Goodnight, Bono.”
“I’ll say goodnight when I’m damn well ready.”
She smirked. “Pushy, some?”
“I need you to read my palm.”
“No.”
“I need to know, Sky.”
“You don’t.”
“Don’t you dare tell me what I don’t need to know about dying.”
She started walking faster. “It’s not just you. It’s me. Do you think it’s a joyride seeing people’s deaths? Have you stopped to consider what it’s like for me, what you’re asking of me?”
He grabbed her arm. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I didn’t think about how it must be for you.”
The angry lines on her pretty, too young face softened. “Why are you really here? Tell me the truth.”
He cupped her head. “You’re so goddamn beautiful.”
“Don’t.”
“You asked me for the truth.”
She pulled free. “Call on me again. I’ll try not to get into your pants if you try not to force me into your future.”
Dragging her into his future didn’t sound like half a bad idea, but not in the way she’d meant.