Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Gabriel pulls me against his body, and his arms wrap me in a tight hug. His manly scent is in every breath I take, the heat from his body warming mine.
God, it feels magical to be in his arms.
“It will take some time, but you’ll get used to everything.” He clears his throat, then adds, “And you’re not stupid, just innocent. There’s a difference.”
Unable to resist, I wrap my arms around his neck again. I close my eyes and relish in the feel of his embrace. It’s soothing, secure, and… perfect.
“What’s the difference?” I ask as I carefully splay my fingers over his warm skin. Tingles sap through my nerve endings, making goosebumps erupt over my body.
“Innocence is when you just haven’t had the opportunity to experience things. It’s actually rare.” He pulls back until our eyes lock. “I like it.”
When I see the truth in his eyes, a smile spreads over my face.
My hands have shifted to his shoulders, and before I know what I’m doing, they drift down to his biceps to take in the feel of his arms.
God, so much strength and golden skin.
The veins. Sigh. The veins.
Realizing what I’m doing, I yank them away from his skin, my cheeks flushing.
Gabriel tilts his head to catch my eyes, then asks, “Why are you blushing?”
I quickly shake my head, pressing my lips together so the secret won’t escape them.
“Lara.” There’s a warning tone to his voice, then he demands, “Tell me.” The order is filled with dominance.
Once again, I’m unable to disobey him. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Touching you feels intimate.”
“Are you uncomfortable?”
I shake my head.
That’s the last thing I feel.
“Do you feel it’s wrong?”
I open my eyes, and frowning, I answer, “No, that’s not what I meant.”
Gabriel moves us back to the side of the pool, then he takes hold of my hips, and without any effort, he lifts me out of the water and sets me down on the paving.
With his hands still on my sides, he looks up at me. A predatory look shutters his eyes, then he mutters, “Put on my shirt.”
As I reach for the dry fabric, I glance down. Seeing my own shirt is practically see-through, an intense wave of self-consciousness hits. I quickly shove my arms through the sleeves of his shirt and cover myself.
Instead of getting out, Gabriel pushes away from the side, his body gliding through the water. Only when he’s on the other side of the pool does he turn to look at me. “Don’t mistake gratitude for something it’s not.”
Huh?
Shaking my head, I admit, “I don’t understand.”
Gabriel lifts himself out of the pool and sits on the other side. With the light shining on him, I have a clear view of his muscled chest and abs, and Lord help me, his strong arms.
He’s breathtaking.
I’m well aware of the weapon lying next to me and know it’s a test. Gabriel is checking to see whether I’d shoot him if I got the chance.
That will never happen.
“I didn’t save you, Lara. I shot you and stole you from Mazur, hoping you’d be able to give me information on him.”
I still don’t understand.
Letting out a sigh, Gabriel wipes the water from his face. “Don’t make me out to be the hero, because that’s the last thing I am. You’re grateful and experiencing life for the first time. Don’t confuse that emotion for more.”
My eyebrows pinch together. “I’m even more confused now.”
Gabriel gets up, and the wet fabric of his suit pants hangs so low on his hips, there’s a V carved into his hips, pointing down. My mouth goes bone dry, and there’s an intense tightening in my abdomen.
Wow.
I can’t tear my eyes away from his beauty as he walks around the pool. Stopping in front of me, he holds out his hand, and once I’ve placed mine in his, he tugs me onto my feet.
He leans down, his eyes burning on mine. “You look at me as if I’m becoming your entire world, Lara. Don’t mistake gratefulness for love.”
Oh...
OHHHH.
Having been caught out with the silly infatuation I have for him, awkwardness and embarrassment wash over me. I pull my hand from his and nodding, I quickly turn around and walk toward the house.
Oh. My. God.
I’m going to die of embarrassment. I’ve been drooling over him, and he knows.
Kill me now.
My chest fills with a weird pressure, all the happiness being sucked into it until I feel empty.
“Lara!”
I stop on the spot, my body tensing.
Please, please, please, I just need to shove my head under a pillow until the mortification disappears.
I hear Gabriel behind me, and taking a deep breath for strength, I turn to face him.
There’s a dark frown on his face, and it makes my heart sink. He stops in front of me, his eyes locking with mine.