Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“I only did what any honorable male would do,” he rumbled, hitting the button to close the ablation field doors. He took her safety goggles and hung them up along with his own.
“That’s not true! You don’t know how many men—policemen…detectives… authorities, I talked to, trying to make him stop harassing me. Not a single one of them stepped up the way you did,” Molly told him. I could just hug you!” she blurted out and then felt immediately embarrassed. “I mean, just to show my gratitude—not because I’m coming on to you. Because I’m not,” she added quickly. “I mean, it’s a human thing, er, custom—hugging someone when you grateful for something they did for you, so…”
She trailed off, realized that she was rambling and only making things worse.
To her surprise, the big Kindred didn’t say a word. Instead, he dropped to his knees, which put them almost on the same level and held out his arms.
“I will participate in your human custom of gratitude,” he told her. “Unless it makes you uncomfortable,” he added, looking at her uncertainly.
“What? No—no, of course not. It was my idea, after all.”
Molly stepped into his arms, thinking how nice it was to be on the same level with the big Kindred for once. Torus enfolded her gently but firmly and she smelled his warm cedar and spice scent again as she put her arms around his neck.
To her surprise, the hug lasted awhile—not that she minded. She was able to notice things about him that she hadn’t earlier when he was holding her while she cried—mainly because she wasn’t distracted with sobbing her heart out.
For one thing, his hair was very soft—much softer than it looked—and it smelled as good as the rest of him. His big body felt good against hers too—he was quite muscular and she knew how immensely strong he was, but he was careful not to crush her—it made her feel safe in his embrace which was wonderful.
It was so different from hugging her ex—back when she and Zach were still together, she thought. He’d had a mean little habit of pinching her or yanking her hair or suddenly squeezing her so tightly she couldn’t breathe every once in a while. Then he would laugh and laugh when she cried out in pain or gasped for breath, as though it was a hilarious joke. Molly had never been sure when he asked for a hug if he wanted to hurt her or not, which made even casual physical intimacy with her ex a nerve-wracking affair.
Commander Torus wasn’t like that at all. She felt safe in his arms—like she could relax. He really was a gentle giant, she thought dreamily as she inhaled his warm, masculine scent and nestled her cheek against his. She even liked the rough scratch of his whiskers and the press of his broad chest against her breasts, though if anyone had asked her, after her time with Zach, she would have told them she never wanted to be this close to a man again.
But he’s not really a man, she reminded herself. He’s a Kindred—they’re different. They’re—
“Forgive me, Molly, but I don’t know how long a hug of gratitude is supposed to last.”
His deep voice seemed to vibrate her whole body and she realized with embarrassment that he was probably just hugging her so long out of politeness—because he didn’t know what else to do.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, pulling back. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to, uh, over-hug you.” Which wasn’t even a thing, but her scrambled brain spit the word out before she could think of a better one.
“’Over-hug’ me?” A rare smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Well, I mean, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable—” Molly began.
“You didn’t.” He brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Your face is getting pink like it does when you’re embarrassed or upset. I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable,” he rumbled. “I was afraid that I was the one who was ‘over-hugging’.”
“Oh, no—no, you weren’t,” Molly assured him.
“Good.” He rose smoothly to his feet to tower over her again and then picked up the empty duffle bag. “Should we go back?” he asked and held out a hand to her.
“Yes.” Molly smiled up at him and took his hand. This time she was the one who entwined their fingers. “And thank you again for this,” she added, nodding at the ablation doors. “For helping me get revenge.”
“You’re welcome.” The big Kindred’s eyes flashed red for a moment. “Your ex-mate is lucky it’s only his material possessions that were fed into the ablation field.”
Molly felt a little shiver run down her spine. She wondered again how badly her boss had beaten Zach up, and then decided she didn’t care. Her ex had gotten everything he deserved and she wasn’t a bit sorry for him!