Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
There’s seriously enough weaponry packed between him and James to start a war.
At first it all seems a bit like overkill. After all, how many weapons does one man need? Especially a man as big and powerful as Gabriel?
But when I remember Alexei and the threat he poses to me, it almost doesn’t feel like enough.
“Try this on,” James says and tosses a black vest to me.
The vest hits me square in the chest and I just manage to grab it without falling over or dropping it to the ground.
“Gee, thanks,” I grumble.
“You’re welcome,” James says, giving me a smirk before turning his attention back to his trunk.
Hefting the vest up, I’m surprised by the weight. The thing is heavy. I swear it must weigh at least ten pounds.
I struggle a bit to undo the Velcro straps. My hands trying and failing to pull them off not only because my hands are sore and my arm still hurts like a bitch, but because it feels like someone must have superglued them on. After loading the last of the weapons up in the truck, Gabriel notices and walks up to me.
“Here, let me help you with that,” he says as he takes it from my grasp.
Yesterday was hands down the worst day of my life, I think as I watch him easily rip off all the Velcro straps.
Once the straps are open, he settles the vest over my shoulders and begins to strap me in, binding me in tight.
Yet today seems to be shaping up to be one of the best.
I’ve gone from having nothing. No money, no car, no allies, and no way to protect myself.
To having it all…
In a blink of an eye, I have everything I need to survive.
And it’s not lost upon me why I suddenly have so much.
Not only has he given me protection, Gabriel has also given me my freedom and dignity back. And for what?
Because he thinks I’m his?
Warmth washes over me as I remember the words he spoke last night in the heat of the moment.
So fucking mine…
“How’s that feel?” Gabriel asks, dropping his hands and taking a step back.
“A little tight,” I mutter, hoping he doesn’t notice the color warming my cheeks.
I don’t know if it’s the vest or the weight of his possession that’s squeezing around my breasts right now, but whichever it is, it’s uncomfortable as fuck.
“I was afraid of that,” James says, popping up from his trunk.
Both men turn their scrutiny on me and it’s everything I can do not to squirm.
Gabriel’s gaze sweeps over me slowly, much more slowly than James. Roaming not only over the vest but also dropping down the length of my legs. I watch that look I’ve become familiar with over the last few hours spread over his face.
Even bound up in this too-tight vest, he looks like he wants to fucking eat me. Eat me, throw me down on the ground, and take me right now, right here.
And I’m half-tempted to let him.
Shit. I’m really starting to sink into the deep end now. After last night, I’m not even sure I remember where the surface is, or if I’ll ever be able to find it again.
Do I still want to get away from him? I don’t have a fucking clue. I wish I could say with one hundred percent certainty that last night didn’t change a thing, but it’s changed everything.
We connected on a level I didn’t think possible.
With his body, with those damn eyes, he showed me more than words ever could.
And I believe him. I believe every truth he pounded into me.
But instead of reassuring me, or even comforting me, his truth has only filled me with more confusion and uncertainty.
This thing between us… it’s too big for my head to wrap around, but I can deny that it’s there. I can feel it even now, pulsing just beneath the surface of my skin. Drawing me to him. Making me care about him…
And just the thought of trusting it, of putting my faith in it, scares the shit out me.
He’s still a stranger. He could kill little kids for all I know.
And my immediate instinct is to run like hell.
But I know I can’t let fear rule me. I’ve let fear rule me for so long… and where did that get me? It got me here.
So I’m trying my best to just go along with all of this and see where it takes us. But he makes it hard not to run when he looks at me like that.
“I’ll need to take her measurements,” James frowns.
Turning back to his trunk, James reaches in and quickly pulls something small and black out. He takes two steps toward me before Gabriel stops him dead in his tracks.
Voice low and harsh with the beginning of a growl, Gabriel says, “If you touch her, I’ll cut your fucking hands off.”