Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
So, she unfastened it, too, and tossed it in the pile of discarded clothes on the floor.
As soon as she had the PJs on, she opened two drawers before locating a brush. It felt so good to brush out her hair.
When she was finished, she looked around and spotted a hamper. Should she put her clothes in there with his? That felt too intimate. Instead, she folded them neatly and carried them back to the bedroom.
Kestrel was sitting on the edge of the daybed. He lifted his gaze and froze.
Don’t let it get to you. Don’t panic. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m pretty.” She felt pretty, too. She never let herself feel that way. Not lately. But the way he was looking at her made her knees weak and her pussy wet. He wasn’t leering at her like some rabid animal. His gaze was appreciative. He even licked his lips. That pleased her.
“Why didn’t you put your clothes in the hamper, Little Swan?” he asked, his voice gravelly.
She glanced over her shoulder toward the bathroom. She was hugging the clothes against her chest, keeping him from seeing her hard nipples. “I wasn’t sure…”
“Come here, Little Swan.” He reached out a hand.
She went to him. Drawn. She couldn’t stop herself. She wanted what he was offering. All of it. Even if it wasn’t real, she would pretend, for now, because it felt so good to think someone might care about her, for her, and take care of her in a way she’d only read about in books.
Kestrel took the pile of clothes from her and set it on the floor next to the bed. Without a word, he patted the mattress. “Climb in, Zara.”
She quickly climbed under the covers, grateful when he pulled them up to her chin.
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Rest, Little Swan. Let yourself relax and get some sleep.”
“Thank you.” She glanced toward the desk. “Can you get Coco for me?” Kestrel was the only person she’d ever met with whom she felt she didn’t have to hide her stuffie.
He grabbed the stuffed monkey, tucked him in with her, and kissed her forehead again. “You’re safe now, Zara.”
As she watched him reclaim the pile of clothes before leaving the room and pulling the door almost closed, she felt safe. She also felt like one of the heroines in a romance novel. Little. So very Little. It calmed her.
It usually took forever to fall asleep, but she drifted off as soon as she closed her eyes.
Chapter Seven
Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he checked the device for his schedule. Damn! He had to take a group on a sightseeing flight in twenty minutes. Kestrel dropped her clothes on the hidden washer off the main living space and set her cell phone on the coffee table. He knew she hadn’t seen him palm the device as he’d handed her Coco. After setting a pillow on top of the phone in case she’d set an alarm in the bathroom, Kestrel jotted Zara a note quickly and added that on top of the pile. Letting himself out of the apartment, Kestrel jogged to the elevator.
Once outside, he called Magnus as he hurried toward the helipad.
“I wondered if you’d remember you have some groups?” the computer expert remarked drily.
“Groups. Crap! I just saw this one,” Kestrel lamented.
“It’s tough to work, isn’t it?”
“I know. You live online, keeping track of everyone and everything. We all appreciate it. Could I ask a favor?” Kestrel requested.
“Maybe.”
“Zara just went down for a nap. I left her a note but asked her to wait for me in the upstairs social area. Is there a backup sensor on the fifth floor in the living space that you could activate?”
“I can. It’s turned off for privacy but I’ll flip it on for a few hours.”
“Thanks. When she walks in and triggers it, would you help her get down the elevator to the basement? She’s interested in working with Celeste.”
“Celeste’s not down here either,” Magnus informed him.
“Hawking won’t be able to make her nap for long. Celeste is much too excited about the project she’s working on.” Kestrel was running out of time to make arrangements. He was almost at the place where he would meet his tour group.
“You’re right. So, you want me to be the voice of all power and lure her to the basement? Think she’s seen any horror movies?” Magnus asked.
“Do your best, Magnus. Channel your inner Daddy. Just remember, she’s mine.”
“Gotcha. I’ll watch for her,” Magnus promised. “Pay attention to the weather. There’s a storm brewing. You should be okay today, but the rest of the week is going to be dodgy.”
“Thanks, Magnus.”
Kestrel slowed to a walk as he approached a group that appeared to be a family. “Hi! I’m Kestrel. Are you here for the helicopter tour?”