Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Gale, there’s no music.” I laughed.
“Am I supposed to provide that, too?” He sighed dramatically. “Very well. Your wish is my command.” He stopped and snapped his fingers.
My head tilted at the classical piano music now streaming into the restaurant, as well as the lights dimming. Had he planned this when I went to the bathroom or from the very start? I focused on him, seeing the proud smirk he had on his face.
“Impressed?” he questioned, placing my other hand on his shoulder and his hand on my waist.
“Yes, but also a bit curious where you learned how to seduce a woman like this,” I asked as he led our dance.
“Seduce?”
“Yes, seduce. I feel like you are pulling me into your web, Prince Gale,” I said as we turned.
He leaned into it. “Do not be pulled—fall into it.”
“The harder you try, for some reason, the harder I want to fight to deny you,” I whispered, leaning closer to him, too. But I held up my head defiantly. “I won’t let you win me over quickly.”
“The worst thing you can do is give a man challenge, Ms. Wyntor.” When he spun me in, he held me closer and whispered into my ear, “It just makes us want to try harder.”
“Then try all you want,” I said and spun out of his arms. However, when I faced him again, his hand on my waist drew me closer until there was barely any space between us.
“With pleasure,” he answered softly. “I will take you out every night if I have to.”
“I won’t come. I do have a life. I cannot come out with you every night.”
“True,” he said, still grinning. “Let’s see. What can I do? Oh, how about I send you a letter every day you don’t see me. I’ll send more flowers, too.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s—”
“I might even try out my poetry on you...then gifts...then maybe, if all else fails, I will stand outside your window with a large radio above my head.”
I couldn’t help it. I laughed, imagining him with a large 80s stereo outside my house, trying to get my attention.
“And if that doesn’t work?” I asked.
“You really are the most cold-hearted woman in all the world.”
“I told you—”
“But still, I won’t give up because global warming will be on my side.” He grinned wide.
“Oh, my God! You are so...lame.” I giggled, shaking us both. However, I froze when he reached up and brushed my hair from the side of my face. There was that heat again.
“I did not think you could get prettier, and then you laugh, and I am left dumbfounded and in awe,” he whispered, lifting my chin.
My breath caught in my throat as I stared into those blue-green, kryptonite eyes, and I let the seconds go by as we looked at each other. His gaze dropped to my lips, and when he leaned in, I pressed my finger against his lips. His gaze refocused on mine.
“From the flowers, the letter, the dinner, the dance, and what I’m sure would be a great kiss, I can see you are good at this, Your Highness. So good, I almost want to kiss you, too...but I’m not. I agreed to dinner, nothing more...so...” I dropped my finger and took a step back, letting go of his hands. “Thank you for dinner, and have a good night.”
Walking around him, I got my stuff to leave.
“Rejected today, but tomorrow is a new day,” he said from behind me.
“I have a show tomorrow. So, I won’t be seeing you.”
“Then the day after that.”
I shrugged from at the top of the stairs. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
Without another word, I walked down the winding staircase, hoping to make my exit as cool and quick as possible. The real reason I stopped him was that I was worried if I did kiss him, I would be the one unable to stop.
NOVEMBER 2
Tonight, despite my complete honesty, despite all of my efforts, Odette rejected me. I do not even know what to say. This has never happened to me before. It was clear that she was attracted to me. It was clear she was enjoying our time together. She even loved the roses. She had them in her hair, and what a vision she was with them. Everything went perfectly; even the heavens seemed to be on my side as the first snowfall of the year came down. And yet still, she rejected me. I am frustrated. But a part me is also amused by her evident desire to deny herself what she clearly wants. And now, because I am petty and dislike this feeling so much, all bets are off.
No matter what happens, no matter what it takes, I swear, I will make Odette Wyntor fall completely, utterly, and madly in love with me. So much so, she will not be able to deny herself or me again!