Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 83401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
The lights in the room were off, but there was enough of a glow coming through the window to illuminate up the interior.
I looked toward the window, the curtains partially pulled open, the sunset clear in the horizon. I could see thick trees just behind the house and the outline of other houses in the distance. For long moments I just lay there staring at the oranges and pinks of the sky as the sun set.
The medicine Cian had given me, coupled with a full day’s worth of sleep, had clearly been what I needed. I felt relatively good, all things considered.
I shifted on the bed again and expected to feel that sharpness in my head, but when just a full throb made itself known, I exhaled. As if Cian sensed I was awake, the bedroom door opened, and he walked in carrying a stack of clothes tucked under his arm and holding a cell phone in his other hand.
Our gazes locked, and he stopped immediately. I heard him audibly exhale. His gaze raked me from head to toe, and even if the blanket covered half my body, I somehow felt totally bared to him and his appraisal.
“How do ye feel?”
I braced my hands on the mattress and pushed myself up. “Good, actually. Thank you.” Those last two words weren’t just because he’d saved me but because he’d taken care of me. Even though I didn’t have time to properly think about anything that was going on, it was very clear I hadn’t given this man a chance. I hadn’t given anything a chance. I let my disbelief and fear take over.
Although I didn’t know what the future held, without knowing the full story, without trying to figure things out, I’d been running from myself just as much as I had been from Cian.
He nodded slowly and shut the door behind him. “Good. I can’t stand to see ya hurt.”
My heart gave a little lurch at his words and how much I knew he meant them. He walked toward me and held out the clothes.
“I’m pretty sure these will be a little too big for ye, but there were some spare clothes in one of the dressers, and I figured ye’d rather have that than keep what ye had on. It was filthy and wet.” He cleared his throat. “Or wear my shirt.” He tipped his chin toward what I wore.
He lowered his gaze to my chest, and that’s when I also looked down and saw what I had on. It was a shirt that most definitely wasn't mine… but Cian’s. I picked at the material and felt my face heat at the fact that he’d changed me. I glanced up at him, and clearly the question was in my expression, because he lifted his free hand and rubbed it along the back of his neck.
“I dinna look. I was quick. But yer shirt was soaked, ye were shivering, passed out, and my only priority was making sure ye were okay, lass.” The shame in his eyes made it impossible for me to feel violated or upset with him. “I’d never hurt ye,” he said with determination. “I’d never take advantage of ye.” The conviction in his voice had me nodding, believing him wholly.
“I trust you. Thank you,” I whispered again, my cheeks flushed, my body sore, but I had this warm pleasure that didn’t have anything to do with being sexual moving through me.
Cian cleared his throat and handed me the phone. “I figured ye’d want tae talk tae Darragh.”
I couldn’t help the genuine smile that moved across my face. How could I have ever thought to run from this man? I didn’t even know him, yet he was doing everything in his power to keep me protected, safe, and happy.
My throat felt tight, too tight for me to even say any words. So I said nothing at all as I kept my smile in place and took the phone, my fingers brushing along his, that spark of electricity and pleasure moving up my arm and making me suck in a breath. I thought about our kiss as I stared at his blue eyes, my lips tingling, remembering how he plundered and pillaged me, taking what he wanted because he was so desperate for it.
His eyes grew hooded, a low hum leaving him. I swore I saw his eyes flash an eerie, glowing blue, but it only happened for a split second before he blinked rapidly, clearing it away.
He rubbed his hand across his face. “I’ll give ye some privacy. The bathroom’s right there.” He pointed to the side. “If ye’d like tae clean up, take yer time. If ye need me, just call. I’ll hear.” And then he was turning and leaving.
I watched his back as he retreated before he slipped out of the room and shut the door behind him, giving me privacy. I settled against the pillows and shifted on the bed a little bit, then looked down at the cell phone. I didn’t know why I was suddenly nervous to talk to Darragh, but as I dialed her number and put the phone to my ear, I felt that anxiousness try to suck me down.