Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 84072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
You’d think I had just announced I was one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse with his suddenly shocked expression. Shock quickly shifted into confusion as his eyes squinted together like he wasn’t sure how to respond.
“It’s the least I can do,” I said cheerfully, then boldly took a step over the threshold despite the throbbing pain in my leg.
He shuffled back a few feet and gaped as my eyes greedily took in the entryway.
The place was absolutely beautiful, with high ceilings and green marble floors. A silver chandelier hung in the middle of the grand hall before a spiral staircase led to the second floor, and massive intricately framed pictures lined each wall as if to tell a story even more so than the books in that library.
A chill swept through me, the kind of chill that would send people searching for a fireplace or at least a blanket.
And yet it didn’t feel cold.
It felt… wrong.
Out of place.
He tilted his head at me, and then slowly, a grin spread across his handsome face. “Actually, I would love a glass of wine. We’ll share it in the salon. Let me just grab some glasses.” He slowly turned. “And will that be orange juice or milk for you?”
I glared. “Wine.”
“You think so?”
“I won’t tell if you won’t, plus don’t you think I deserve it after…” I cleared my throat.
He simply shook his head and muttered. “Interesting, at least this time.”
I beamed despite the sudden change in his attitude and choked out a “Thanks!” as his footsteps pounded against the marble floor, taking him away from me and toward wherever the glasses were kept.
Another chill wracked my pain-filled body.
Frowning, I turned around. It was almost like the cold was hitting me in short spurts from behind.
A set of closed double doors that obviously led somewhere confronted me. I took a step and then another, and the chill increased until I reached out and touched the antique black handle.
The minute my fingertips made contact, an electric jolt zapped my hand; it wasn’t painful enough for me to drop to my knees, but it didn’t exactly feel good.
My fingertips tingled as I held my hand out in front of my face. No marks from the zap; that was good, right?
Footsteps sounded again and then stopped.
I looked down as the light from under the double doors was completely sucked away; someone was standing on the other side.
I swear I could hear the steady breathing.
I reached up, pressed my palm against the door, and gasped when I felt a dizzying heat surge through where my hand touched the wood. My lips parted when that same heat traveled down my arm and spread like an erotic fire through my body.
Haunting images of legs tangled in sheets.
My legs.
A man’s muscular back flexing as he moves over me.
My hands digging into his jet-black hair, pulling, tugging, teeth nipping at my lower lip.
And so much pleasure that my body was sick with it.
The air stilled.
There were only those images.
Only me and some mystery man burning the house down with each kiss, each sigh, each panting breath.
“Found the glasses,” Benjamin said.
I jerked my hand back and turned, hoping that he didn’t see the arousal on my face or the fact that I was having a hard time catching my breath and wanted nothing more than to plaster my entire body against that door and find out what or who was on the other side.
“Good. Great.” With shaking hands, I tucked my hair behind my ears and flashed him a smile that felt anything but genuine.
“I see you’ve met the library.” His eyebrows shot up to his forehead. “Always an interesting experience…”
Did he say “met the library,” as in it is its own person?
I gave a halfhearted laugh. “Well, I made it as far as the door.”
He snorted. “Count yourself lucky that you didn’t make it inside.”
My curiosity and need for whatever that damn library promised settled into me like a low hum, constant, annoying, and taunting. I swear my own body was betraying me by not moving toward Benjamin.
“Shall we?” One side of his mouth turned up into a slow mocking grin revealing perfect straight white teeth that looked more predatory than friendly.
I cleared my throat and nodded. “Yeah, of course.”
I begrudgingly followed him away from the door, hating that with each step I took, the heat dissipated, and in its place, a bitter cold settled in my stomach as the scent of sugar and candy yet again filled the stale hot air.
I was tempted to hold my breath as Benjamin led me into a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the rose gardens and a roaring fireplace on the opposite wall.
Two black leather wingback chairs faced the fire while a matching couch had been placed near the window.
A gold-plated telescope was pointed out toward the perfect ocean view making me insanely jealous of the almost castle they lived in. How amazing would it be to live right on the water? To have this view every day?