Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Carlos sighs softly and lowers his eyes from mine. “Do you really want to know?”
I take his hand gently in mine and wait for him to raise his eyes to mine again, then smile. “Tell me, Carlos. Everything.”
He shrugs uncertainly. “Before the attack that almost claimed my life, I got the news that my cousin, Cross, was manufacturing a new drug. Two people died during the testing stage. That’s how dangerous it is. I was going to make sure that shit didn’t circulate on the streets. So I made a deal with Cross so I would be the sole distributor of his new drug after its release. I started to fund the whole manufacturing process just to stop him from reaching out to other drug lords. That was until I was attacked and the news of my death was released. Don Pablo, the head of a rival gang, got wind of Cross’s new production and made a deal with him.
“I couldn’t let that happen, so I went to see Cross. He agreed to break his deal with Don Pablo. On my way back home, though, I was attacked. I went to see Cross anonymously, but word must have gotten out that I’m alive. Apparently, there are no secrets in the hood.”
“Only Cross knows you’re alive?” I ask with a slight frown. “Do you think he reached out to Don Pablo, who in turn sent the attackers?”
Carlos shakes his head slowly. “I can’t point fingers for now. I was careful enough, but one of Cross’s men may have recognized me. Besides, I have one too many enemies to be sure.”
I raise his hands to my lips and place a butterfly kiss on each of his knuckles. Carlos’s eyes widen in surprise at my gesture. I lean forward so that my lips are just a hair breadth away from his. “Kiss me, Carlos...,” I whisper, holding his smoldering gaze with mine.
“Are you sure,” he asks softly, and I nod in confirmation.
Carlos leans forward, closing the gap between us. His hand slowly comes up to my face, sending soft tingles across my skin. His lips capture mine in a slow, dreamy kiss.
I melt into his arms, welcoming his tongue into my mouth. His lips mold perfectly with mine, firm yet gentle. I weave my fingers into the rich, silky strands of his hair and press further into him.
I love the feeling of Carlos's lips against mine. He kisses me like he’s drinking my essence while pouring it into his soul. I can’t get enough. I don’t think I ever will.
I pull back gently, smiling shyly into his beautiful midnight black eye. “I like you too, Carlos,” I say softly, hoping he can see the depth of my words in my eyes. “A lot. And even though I’ve given myself a million reasons why I shouldn’t, they all seem useless. I can’t seem to help my feelings for you.”
“Abby...,” Carlos murmurs. His voice sounds husky, probably from all the stormy emotions in his eyes at the moment. He seems overwhelmed and, at the same time, helpless, just how I felt when he said the same words to me.
At this moment, right here, Carlos had never looked sexier. I wish I could throw caution to the wind and act on the thrumming lust in my veins. I wish I could just jump his bones already. But he’s an injured man, and the nurse in me still has a bit of common sense.
“You should rest up for tonight,” I say with a soft sigh. “I’m sure you’re tired, and the meds will soon start to kick in.” I stand from the bed and smile down at him. “I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep tight, Drago.”
Carlos chuckles softly. “It sounds nice coming from you,” he says, holding me prisoner with his dreamy gaze. “It makes me feel like a real dragon.”
I laugh at his teasing. “I should go.”
I start to turn toward the door, but Carlos quickly grabs my hand. “Abby?”
“Yes, Carlos?” I say, turning back to him with a slightly worried expression. “Do you need anything?
“Stay, please,” Carlos says, swallowing hard.
I blink at him in surprise. “Wh-What?” I stammer.
“Please, stay with me tonight, Abby,” he repeats. “I want to hold you in my arms tonight. Please?”
My chest swells up with an unprecedented feeling of joy. I nod my head, wondering how wide the foolish smile on my face really is. I don’t care, though.
I crawl quietly onto the bed beside Carlos. His arms immediately come around my waist, pulling me snugly into his warmth. His body molds perfectly against mine.
His heart beats strongly against my back – its rhythm as unsteady as mine.
Never have I felt so... feminine and wanted.
I wish we could live forever in this moment... Because there seems to be no possibility of forever for us. For a man like Carlos, each morning comes with new eventualities. Being wanted by a powerful man like him is a rare stroke of luck for a woman like me.