Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Chapter
Twenty-One
Sydney
It’s nearly midnight. After another disappointing evening, I force myself off the couch and stretch, savoring the delicious feeling of the lace and silk of my bralette caressing my torso and cupping my breasts. The tiny matching thong clings to my hips like a lover.
Too bad I ended up wearing these frilly bits for myself.
Most of the evening, while I revised the next installment of my magical war story like Caden suggested, I waited for him to turn up. The article is scheduled to appear later this week. Contrary to Holly’s opinion, I think the angle makes a difference, and his is better.
But even work couldn’t stop me from fixating on my tasty photographer. Thoughts of him awakened my anticipation. My skin feels alive. I ache like never before.
It sounds foolish, but I half expected the magical diary Aquarius gave me to work. Something—instinct, maybe?—told me that tonight was the night, so I donned my sexiest, most transparent lingerie. And I waited.
But he’s a no-show. Again. So I’m going to bed alone.
Clearly, the supposed magical diary granting fantasies is rubbish. I’m done waiting for him to knock on my door and declare his undying lust. Feeling barmy, I grab my robe from the sofa and head down the hallway with a yawn.
Two steps later, someone bangs on my door. My telly is off, and I don’t have a yappy dog, so whoever’s knocking can’t be complaining about noise. Maybe someone needs help?
I dart to the foyer. “Who is it?”
“Caden. Open the door, Sydney. Now.”
His growled demand is low. It’s insistent. It drips sex.
My heart stutters.
With jittery fingers, I flip the lock, then fumble for the knob. Before I can turn it, he shoves the door open. It bounces off the wall unchecked.
Caden fills the doorway, breathing hard, his entire body tense. Those blue eyes light on my mouth like a laser. I flash hot. Tingles flood my system.
He kicks the door closed. The crash booms in my foyer, resounding in my ears. My heart races when he reaches behind his head, gathers his T-shirt in his fist, and yanks it over his head.
Oh. My. God.
Caden is positively ripped, muscled chest, shoulders rising and falling with each audible breath. Veins and tendons stand out along his forearms and hands. His abdomen ripples with every move.
The man is gorgeous, and as I suspected he’s fit. But it’s more. He’s an extraordinary male animal.
And he wants me.
After tossing his shirt to the floor, Caden waits. Watching. Primed. The moment feels charged, the tension thick.
I always thought he was controlled and had his emotions tightly under wraps. Now, he strains against some invisible leash. One unexpected move and he might unload a whole mountain of alpha male on me.
Yes, please.
His gaze rakes me up and down, his nostrils flaring. “You know why I’ve come.”
His sexual growl makes his intentions crystal clear. Thrill leaps through my blood.
Did he reconsider my proposition? Or did the magical book actually compel him?
“What about a fling being unfair to me because you’re returning to Dallas?”
His burning eyes blaze a path from my face to my breasts, then drop between my legs. I feel his stare as if he reached out and stroked me there.
My head spins. The robe slung over my arm falls to the floor, forgotten.
“I’ve tried,” he gasps out. “So fucking hard. But I can’t stay away. God knows this is a mistake. Do you want me?”
I shouldn’t. He’s not being honest. He’s after something besides my body. Giving in is mad. Dangerous. “Yes.”
“Take it off.” He glares at my lingerie. “All of it.”
“Here?”
“And now. It’s in my way.” The hunger stamped across his face warns that if I don’t doff my silky things immediately, he’ll rip them off.
I’m hardly impulsive, I rarely show vulnerability, and I don’t have sex with men I’ve never dated. But Caden? For him, I’m breaking all my rules.
“All right.”
My womb clenches as I pluck at the tie between my breasts and open the corset front of my filmy bralette. Then I drag it over my head.
Usually, I’m self-conscious about my smallish breasts. But his possessive stare zeroes in on the hard tips, making it clear that he’s not complaining.
“You’re beautiful.”
The longer he looks the more my nipples swell and tingle. I can barely breathe. Caden hasn’t touched me yet, and I’m already beyond aroused.
He stalks into my personal space. “The rest.”
A thrill shudders up my spine as I hook my thumbs in the waistband of my little knickers and drag them down my thighs.
The instant I’m completely naked, Caden lunges for me. He backs me against the wall, breathing harsh, and flattens his palms on either side of my head. Our chests collide. He’s scalding hot. I gasp at the burn.
“Touch me.” I guide his hand to my breast, and I don’t care that I’m begging. “Here.”