Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
They’ve been excruciating. Like tiny grains of sand passing through time, it feels like an eternity. Despite the fact that I lay in his bed last night, I haven’t been able to speak to him. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed our time together, but it bothers me now that it’s gone. Where has he been? I continue to walk through the place, peeking into the kitchen. It’s empty, and I decide I’m not hungry.
I came here under the false pretense that he’d be here drinking his morning coffee.
Maybe he’s in his office. I head there next, poking my head inside, to find that, once again, he’s not here.
Where is he?
I think about all the places I’ve seen him and check them all. The only place left is the atrium. When I find that deserted, too, I open the door and start to walk down the path.
Nobody is out here. I take the steps leading to the pool deck and don’t find anybody anywhere. When I turn to walk down the path that leads to the gardens, I spot one of the guards.
“Do you know where Gideon is?”
“Got a thing for the boss?” the asshole says. A wide, creepy grin spreads across his face.
“No.” I shake my head. Probably making myself look like an idiot. “It’s just strange that he’s not been around.”
“He’ll be back today. He’s been handling some issues.”
Is he okay? Is he in danger? Why the hell do I even care? Because I do.
That’s the truth.
No matter how much I want to pretend otherwise.
I care.
And I miss him.
He’s become more than just the annoying man holding me for my own good.
I’m not sure when it happened, but I’ve started to consider him a friend.
Who are you kidding? It’s more than that. When he’s near, I come alive.
I’m not sure why, either.
What is it about him?
His fierce loyalty to my brother?
His protective nature?
He could have let me fend for myself.
Yet he has taken my attitude and my escape attempts, and he’s never batted an eye. Sure, he moved me into his room to watch me, but even there, I’m not a prisoner.
I never was.
The garden is only a few steps away, the lush flowers beckoning me to relax under the shade of the large trees.
I wish I had my cello.
This is where I should be playing.
Beautiful rose bushes circle a courtyard with a bench in the middle.
That’s where I would sit.
I’d play out here for hours, lost in thought, without a care in the world. It would be magical.
Taking a seat, I close my eyes and imagine what it must be like to live here full-time. To live in this luxury with people at your beck and call, yet the privacy I’d desire.
That’s when I feel a presence. His presence.
I’d know it anywhere.
My intuition gives me that nudge in the form of light tingles and butterflies. There’s nothing ominous about it.
My eyes open, and I see a shadow looming behind me. A flower hangs over my shoulder. It’s a pink rose.
My hand reaches out, and I bring it to my nose. The fragrance fills my senses. As I inhale, I can’t help running my fingers against the petals. They feel as soft and smooth as a cloud.
Turning over my shoulder, I find Gideon smiling down at me.
“Where have you been?” I practically whisper the words.
“Away.”
“That’s not an answer.” I scoff, wanting to talk about anything.
“Are you trying to pick a fight with me?” There’s humor in his voice.
“There’s nothing to fight about.”
“Seems to me like you want a check-in every day. Feels like a relationship.”
I spin around on my seat, placing both hands on the sides of me and leaning forward. “We are most certainly not in a relationship.”
He shrugs.
“Could’ve fooled me with all that worry pouring off you.”
“I wasn’t worried. Just curious. You’re supposed to be protecting me, and you’ve been gone.”
He smiles. “I have plenty of people here to protect you. I trust them with my life. Did you not feel safe, firefly?”
Was I scared at any point?
No.
I felt well protected and cared for, even in his absence.
“I felt safe.”
“Well, then, no need to be worried or curious.”
I scowl because no matter what he says, I’m going to worry. I always did when my brother disappeared. Especially with their line of work. It’s dangerous. I never knew if he was in jail or dead. It was horrible.
“I have a surprise for you,” he says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Be ready at six tonight.”
“What is it?” Now I’m bursting with curiosity, and if his grin is any indicator, he knows it.
“A surprise.”
“Seriously?” I roll my eyes at him. “You and your secrets.”
Leaning in, I think he might kiss me again. My eyes close of their own accord, I can feel his soft breath on my mouth, and I wait.