Series: The Circle of Monsters Series by Sam Crescent
Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Had he talked to Viko? What elements had changed? She was certainly not complaining but still confused. “Like what?”
He wet his lips and her pussy instantly reacted, a rush of energy forcing her to take a breath. What was wrong with her?
“How I feel about you.”
It took her a minute to realize he felt sorry for her. They’d spent so much time together that he had a soft spot for her, like a puppy or something. The goal was to stay alive, so why wasn’t she happier?
“Well, that’s good news. I’d take life over death any day.”
“So you’re okay with it?”
“With not dying? Yes, I’m very okay with it.”
“I’m talking about me,” he said.
“What about you?”
He groaned, a deep masculine sound, and it equally turned her on. “I’m telling you that I like you.”
“I like you, too.”
Galen shook his head. “You’re not getting me. I’m trying to say this is a date. Or I was hoping it could be a date.”
She froze, unable to speak or even think. A real date? The guy keeping her hostage was falling for her? Galen was hot, hotter than hot. He was all hard muscle and ink, the kind of men women tossed their morals for. Why was he interested in a girl like her? She was beyond suspicious.
“It’s not like you to have no comment,” he said. “This is the most I’ve shared with another human in a long time.”
She looked him in the eyes now. “Sorry, I’m not trying to be rude. I’m just a little leery of sweet words from men.”
“Do you not get asked on a lot of dates?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“I like the idea that you’re just for me.”
Every nerve in her body was alight with need. That deep-seated urge to be wanted and desired rushed to the surface. She desperately wanted to belong to Galen. Was she crazy to even consider this?
The waiter appeared and they gave their orders. It was a welcome respite for her to collect her emotions.
When Galen reached across the table to run his hand along her forearm, she thought she’d melt into a puddle. She realized her arm was still and robotic. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be a prude. This is all new to me.”
“I like you just the way you are. You’re perfect. I’m not going to fight my feelings any longer.”
“Why would you? Because I’m your hostage?”
He frowned. “No, because I have my own issues. I’m not good at trusting or sharing my feelings. Nobody has ever been good to me.”
She felt so connected to him right now and didn’t want to blow this.
“I won’t hurt you.”
He scoffed. “After everything I’ve done to you?”
“You never hurt me.” She looked toward the waves, took a deep breath, and tried to forget her multitude of worries. This was a date, plain and simple. She wouldn’t overthink it. Wouldn’t push him away because she thought she didn’t deserve him. Maybe fate worked in mysterious ways, and she wasn’t going to jinx anything.
“Do you like the water?” he asked.
“I could watch it all day. It’s so soothing. Peaceful.”
“And powerful.”
This time she took the chance and reciprocated his advance. She leaned over the table, knowing full well her cleavage was on full display for him. “Like you.” She painted her fingertip along the ink on his arm, every intricate design.
He grabbed her wrist in a firm hold. “Be careful, Skye, or I’ll take you home right now.”
She could feel his need, his desire for her. Suddenly she wasn’t so hungry anymore.
Chapter Seven
Galen didn’t want to end their date as he knew what would happen the moment they did. The men Skye told him about earlier would be waiting. He’d spotted them the moment he entered the restaurant, but he hadn’t been entirely clear about who they were. Within his world, anyone could truly be fucking anyone, and he didn’t want to unnecessarily start a war. Especially when Viko was being so fucking elusive. The guy had never been vocal, not in the true sense of the word, so his sudden complete silent treatment made for a rather uncomfortable mess. When Skye mentioned she recognized them, their identities all became clear to him.
Skye looked beautiful with the last of the sun setting in the sky. He loved the oranges and yellows that surrounded her. She looked so at peace, so calm, so … innocent. This had been his idea of a date, or the best he could come up with, but he knew the moment they left the sanctuary of the restaurant, they were fucked. Petrov’s men would be waiting for them.
He wasn’t afraid to deal with them. It was an easy enough kill, but that would lose the date status, and he’d have to deal with the cleanup as well. He didn’t want his lifestyle to ruin a perfectly good date.