Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“I give the orders, little one,” he said in that whisky voice, smooth and wicked. His amber eyes flashed, and when his gaze roamed her face this time, it did settle on her lips. His breath smelled like chocolate and his body carried the scent of mountain rain and fabric softener.
Her core tightened but adrenaline spiked, his size and strength whispering of dangerous secrets and hidden depths. Her fingers itched for her knife, but her body ached to be dominated into sweet oblivion.
He wasn’t the kind of guy to be taken for a ride and then cast away, though. He wasn’t the kind of guy who’d tolerate flirty plays and head games. He’d see right through those. No, he was the kind of guy who ate souls and sinfully consumed his prey. Decadently. Erotically. Absolutely.
He was the kind of guy she could not, under any circumstances, get involved with. Not for a weekend. Not even for a night. When a guy had the confidence to swing around his big dick energy like some sort of weapon, a girl needed to steer clear or face the consequences. She was no fool. Because his look right now said any entanglement with him wouldn’t be about hearts and flowers. It would be pure, carnal sin, and she would never get enough.
“Done?” she asked flippantly, knowing better than to struggle to get away. He’d release her when he was ready. He’d make a show of it. God that was so hot, just her speed. Too bad he was who he was. Or what he was, maybe.
A sinful smile curled his lips. “If you like.” He stood with her, holding her for a moment longer and then depositing her onto the ground. “Where did you want to take me?”
“Oh, now you want to come?”
His eyes darkened. “I always want to come, Natasha. I’ll make sure you do, too.”
She’d walked into that one.
She ticked her head back toward the house. “Come with—“ She shook her head. Usually she was the dirty one. She wasn’t used to the role reversal. “Follow me.”
Inside the door, she stopped.
“Are you sure you don’t want a sandwich? I could just go and grab one, and we’ll be on our way.”
“Sure, since you’re offering.”
That voice was so smooth and rich, so utterly annoying in her current headspace. She needed to release a little pent-up steam. It had been a while. Maybe she’d hit the bar after this and find one of the gargoyles who wouldn’t want her number after the deed was done.
In the kitchen, Jessie and Austin were discussing the attack flowers. Jessie looked up when Nessa ran in.
“How’s Tristan?” she asked, her worry evident. “Did we scare him away? He’s been a little off.”
“You guys threw him into the deep end. He’s just…trying to adjust. I’m going to show him the updates to the art room. He likes those paintings.”
“We’re about to check out the attack flowers in the wood,” Austin said. “If he wants to skip it, I can meet him back here for a game of pool.”
“Oh…” Nessa stalled in grabbing a sandwich from the towering stack Mr. Tom had set out. “Has the pool room been refurbished?”
“No,” he replied. “It’s still serviceable, though. The table is level and the cues are good quality and straight.”
“Ah, Nessa, back for more?” Mr. Tom said, entering the room. “Fantastic. I have—”
“Nope,” Jessie said.
Mr. Tom froze halfway through pulling down an espresso cup. He then lifted it back up. “I have lots of sandwiches, or I can make you something else?”
“Just grabbing a bite for Tristan. He missed lunch.” She reached for a plate for the sandwich she held.
“Oh, how could you?” Mr. Tom was there in a moment, slapping her hand that held the sandwich.
“What—” Nessa tried to shy away only to have Mr. Tom wrestle the sandwich from her.
“Just give in,” Jessie said. “It’s easier on everyone that way.”
“I…” Nessa let go and then took a step back as Mr. Tom shooed her away.
“I will make him a plate and deliver it shortly. Go.”
Back with Tristan, she lifted her hands in apology. “Sorry, Mr. Tom will be delivering your food. I wasn’t quick enough to escape him. The alpha invited you to pool after they check out the attack flowers. You’re suddenly a popular guy.”
He smiled and minutely shook his head, stepping aside as she led the way to the stairs. She could tell his mood had shifted again, back to reserved and quiet. Contemplative.
“I get why you’re overwhelmed,” she said as they reached the top of the second floor and she directed them toward the next set of stairs. “It’s one thing to deal with an attack flower. It’s another to gear up for a small outing with a bunch of Dicks and Janes and suddenly find yourself tasked with killing a magical flower, of all things, while a basajaun rages beside you—it was a lot.”