Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
I melt into him, gasping and just inhaling the scent of him and feeling the warmth of him. I can feel his pulse racing through his skin, his hands holding me so tight and yet so gently as I slowly come down.
He slides out of me, silencing my slight wince with a kiss before he suddenly sweeps me up in his arms and stands. He kisses me gently as we step across the office to a doorway I didn’t see before. He opens it with a button on the wall, and wordlessly carries me through to the sweeping staircase that leads up.
“Where are we—”
“Home, angel. And there, I’m going to show you more than you’ve ever even dreamed.”
8
Damien
Upstairs, I wrap her in a thick, white robe and ring for Lorne, my trusted manservant. Or butler. Whatever, either word sounds antiquated, but suffice to say, Lorne runs my household. He’s fiercely loyal, unquestioning, and understands the way I work.
Also, gay as pride parade, which means I don’t have to worry about killing him if he looks at Lyra, or if he gets tempted to put his hands on her.
“Evening, sir.”
Lorne doesn’t blink at the sight of the much younger girl wrapped in a robe, gingery hair tousled and messy, standing in my living room when he enters, or of me buttoning my tuxedo shirt back up.
Good man.
“Lorne, would you please show Ms. Goddard to my chambers?”
She turns, her brow going up as she watches me re-tie my bowtie. “Wait, aren’t you coming?”
“Yes, angel,” I murmur, pulling her into me and kissing her softly. “But I need to go end this damn party first. Wait for me, and make no mistake, I’ll be joining you soon.”
She nods, biting her lip, her big blue eyes shining up at me. And for a moment, I’m not sure I can even step away for a second. Looking at my angel and feeling the way her innocent eyes just seem to pierce right through to the heart of me, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to leave her side.
“Hurry back,” she whispers, winking at me.
“Show her where the bath is, Lorne.”
“Absolutely, sir.”
I turn back and take Lyra in my arms, kissing her softly.
“It’s Worthington, by the way,” she says quietly.
I arch a brow and she grins.
“My last name. Goddard is Bill’s last name, and I—” She makes a face. “Well, I kept Worthington.”
“It suits you,” I murmur. “Now enjoy your bath. I’ll be joining you soon.”
“You better,” she says quietly, blushing.
Back downstairs, the party is starting to go off the fucking rails. The only ones left are the more hard-partying traders — my guys and Bill’s, though at least mine are handling themselves with a bit more decorum than the newcomers from Regent. I glance around the place, and my eyes lock onto Bill himself, who’s shitfaced, yelling and slurring at the poor bartender and half falling over.
I grit my teeth.
I can understand the need to cut loose. And I understand that people working in the world of high finance need ways of stepping outside themselves from time to time and having a good time. But one thing I do not tolerate is sloppiness like this. All of my team knows that. Bill and his new guys apparently don’t.
For the hundredth time, I think to myself that this deal better be fucking worth it to have to deal with an asshole like Bill.
I grab the attention of my head of security and nod him over.
“Party’s over,” I growl. I nod at Bill. “And have someone bring that asshole home. Tie him up if you have to.”
My security guy grins, but he also understands what I mean. When I say this party is over, I don’t mean, “let it play down nice and slow.” He knows I mean it’s over as in right the fuck now. I’m not one for subtlety, and tonight I’ve got even less of it, what with my angel waiting upstairs for me.
I groan to myself, thinking of her waiting in a bath for me, her soft skin glowing pink from the heat and steam.
Yeah, these people need to get the fuck out, now. I want them gone. I want them out of my goddamn world right now. Because all I want is to go back to Lyra and taste every inch of her skin. I want to go back to slowly laying my claim on her.
I watch my security guy head off, radioing in for the others to help clear the place out. I shake my head as I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I turn to make my way back to my quarters.
My need for her is all consuming. She ignites something in me that I’ve literally never felt before — not even close. I wasn’t lying before when I said I didn’t have time for women with the career I’ve had. I don’t, and I haven’t in years. Her assumptions of me were built on tabloid news - that I have a different girl in my bed every night.