Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“It’s not always like this. Usually I can go about my day and no one knows who I am. But there have been a couple of break-ins at my apartment building, and it feels like someone’s definitely watching. Waiting. Until I figure out who and why, I’m taking precautions.”
I nod resolutely. “Precautions that involve a flushing toilet?” I ask.
He chuckles. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Why are you being so secretive?” I ask. He won’t tell me anything about where we’re going except that it’s in the country. What does that even mean? I’m betting the American version of the country is very different to the British version, which is full of sheep, stone cottages, and roads only wide enough for one car to pass along.
His eyes slice to mine and then he smiles. “I just want you to be surprised.”
“I’m going to be surprised if we’re sleeping under canvas and eating cold baked beans out of a can. And not in a good way.”
He laughs out loud. “Why does it feel kinda good to torture you?”
“Because you’re a serial killer in the making?”
He shakes his head but doesn’t say anything. I want to ask him what he’s thinking. I want to know whether he feels as comfortable with me as I do with him. I want to slip inside his brain and understand what exactly is going on in there.
“Is it a log cabin?” I ask.
He nods. “It is, actually.”
“That’s how I imagine America in the woods. At least we won’t be under canvas.” After a beat, I ask, “Will we sleep in a bed? Or on the floor?” I ask.
“Oh, I don’t have any intention of sleeping very much at all.” His hand rides high up my thigh, and I feel the heat spreading across my chest and up my neck.
“Sounds like my kind of log cabin.”
SIXTEEN
Bennett
Lucky for me, I have friends like Worth, who I trust with my life. And even luckier for me, Worth has a taste for luxury, peace, and quiet. A perfect combination in my circumstances.
“This is some kind of log cabin,” Efa says as we pull up to Worth’s place. I’ve never been here before, but I knew it wasn’t going to be a dump. “It’s huge.”
We get out of the car and take in our surroundings.
She turns around a full three hundred and sixty degrees, gazing up at the towering oaks and pretty maples that surround us. “And the perfect place to murder me.” Her gaze catches on mine and she tilts her head, a softness in her eyes. “I love this kind of surprise.”
I hold out my hand and she darts over to me, taking both my hands in both of hers.
We take the couple of steps up to the wraparound porch, which is smattered with Adirondacks, upended logs used as side tables, and a hammock. It’s simple and looks rustic, but it’s beautiful.
“Have you ever been here before?” she asks.
“Never,” I say. I’ve never taken a woman away before. Before Efa, I would never have considered it. The thought of being with a woman in an isolated place wouldn’t have sounded fun to me before.
I stand aside and let Efa go in before me.
“Wow,” she says.
The inside of the structure is all wood and logs, but there’s a modern kitchen, statement light fixtures, and loads and loads of space.
“This is gorgeous.”
I knew it would be. It’s Worth’s place, after all. He’s all about understated luxury. But I’m pleased Efa is so obviously thrilled.
“Let me check about the loo,” she says, dashing off.
I grab the bags from the car and bring them inside. As I set them down, Efa comes running at me and jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me.
“Flushing toilets. You know how to spoil a girl.”
I squeeze her ass, enjoying the feeling of contentment I get more and more when she’s with me. “Worth also said there’s a hot tub, a sauna, and an ice barrel.”
She unlocks her legs from me and slides down to the ground. “You had me until ice barrel. You’re on your own there. But happy to test out the hot tub and sauna with you. Sounds like there are plenty of places to get naked.”
I growl at her words. “There won’t be enough nakedness for me on this trip.”
She lifts up on her toes and gives a quick press of her lips against mine. It’s not enough. It’s never enough from her.
Like she knows what I’m thinking, she laughs and picks up her bag. “I need to freshen up a little.”
I take her bag from her and we go and check out the bedrooms, settling on a room that’s large with a four-poster bed made out of logs, but is clearly not the master.
“Give me a minute, will you?” she asks.
I turn and go back to the kitchen. Worth has a housekeeping service, and I’ve arranged for a fully stocked refrigerator. We don’t have to leave this place while we’re here.