Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Too old for you?” he asked with a laugh.
She shook her head, not knowing what she should take seriously and what she should laugh at herself.
“Let me show you my lair,” he said and went to open the symbol-carved door.
“No,” Olivia said more firmly than she intended and turned and hurried out the two sets of double doors to the hallway. She waited until he closed the last set behind him to speak. “A wolf’s lair is far too personal, too intimate between him and his mate. If by some strange quirk of fate you are a werewolf, I cannot intrude on your lair.”
“I am impressed that you would consider that, but I invited you, so you wouldn’t be intruding.”
“The more important question is… why would you invite me in there?” Her hand went up and she shook her head. “I don’t want to know. Show me another part of the castle.”
“Aye, but first—”
In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her and his hands cupped her face as his lips came down on hers. It wasn’t as if it was her first kiss, but it felt like it since it felt so different. She had suffered through kisses that left her speechless, and not in a good way. His lips were strong against hers and very much in command, leaving her eager to respond, and she did.
His kiss swept her away, fanning her passion, sparking parts of her body that hadn’t flamed in far too long. She felt a hunger for him she had never felt for a man before now, and it excited and frightened her at the same time. She didn’t know what to make of it.
Once you accept him, you’re his mate.
Her thought shocked her, and she pulled away from him, and he let her go with a reluctance she could feel. She turned away from him, needing to catch her breath, to think. Her thought had reminded her of when wolves searched for mates. Once a female wolf accepted a male wolf’s attention that was it. They were a couple. They would mate and have a litter of pups. But she was no wolf, and neither was he, but what of a werewolf? Was it like the book said, sex with a human female was just that sex?
She had to be out of her mind even considering his outlandish claim, and she had to be out of her mind if she had sex with him.
“I have wanted to kiss you since I first met you at the train station.”
She turned around surprised he had felt the same as she did when meeting.
“I could sense you felt the same, and I welcome this blizzard that keeps us secluded and allows us to get to know each other.” He took hold of her hand. “And allows you to learn firsthand about the sexual appetites of a werewolf. Now come.” He tugged her along with him. “You must see the castle’s Christmas tree. We have a few of them throughout but the one in the foyer cannot be missed.”
She found herself speechless, unable to make sense of her day so far and it wasn’t even noon. She continued to remain speechless when they stood in front of the giant Christmas tree that stood between two staircases. She had to tilt her head back to see the star on the top where it reached the landing between the two staircases. It was generously and beautifully decorated, as was the foyer itself with wreaths and swags and floral Christmas arrangements.
“It’s magnificent,” Olivia said, speechless no more. “A woman I met on the train, Annie MacDougal, told me all about your Christmas gala fundraiser and the Christmas Eve event you host for the children of Dumford.”
“Two events I always look forward to, for I enjoy both, and it also signals the beginning of winter and freedom for the wolves.”
A howl interrupted Olivia’s response and another followed, then another. Tiernan shut his eyes for a moment and when he opened them Olivia could see his sorrow.
Working with wolves, she had a sense of what it might be. “The wolves mourn a loss.”
He looked at her with a hint of surprise. “Aye, but not an unexpected one. I must go to them.”
“Go,” she urged. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”
“You may get lost,” he said with concern.
She smiled softly. “I’m not worried. You’ll eventually find me.”
“Aye, that I will, Olivia.” He kissed her lips softly and brushed his cheek along hers, then rushed out of the room.
She couldn’t deny it and didn’t want to. She liked it when he kissed her and when he faintly ran his cheek over hers. There was an intimacy about it that she was just beginning to realize.
A howl startled her, its strong, sorrowful tone sounding as if it came from within the castle.