Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Silas acted as though it was the most natural thing in the world for a man to cater to a woman's needs, but I’d grown up with the opposite. I couldn’t imagine my dad ever kneeling for my mom, let alone to do something she could easily accomplish on her own. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
The grin he beamed at me was so darn sexy. Goose bumps broke out along my skin as he tugged my boots from my feet and set them on the floor next to the couch. When he was done and sat down next to me, my heart raced so much that I was surprised it didn’t leap out of my chest.
Shifting so he was facing me with his knee pressed against the side of my thigh, he twined our fingers together, staring down at our hands with a look of awe on his handsome face. Wondering if it was because he felt the chemistry between us as much as I did, I was stunned when he murmured, “I haven’t touched anyone in twenty years.”
Since I had only been alive for that long, I couldn’t wrap my head around his confession. “How is that possible? Do you never leave the wilderness?”
His ears turned red as he ducked his head, a lock of white hair falling onto his forehead. “I spend most of my free time at my cabin, but my sister has a shop in town, and my job takes me all over the county.”
“Then I’m even more confused than I already was.” My brows drew together as I drew my knees up to cuddle into his couch.
“You’re cold.” Twisting around, he grabbed a dark-blue throw blanket from the chair and placed it over me. “I know it’s late, but would you like some coffee to help warm up?”
I shook my head, my nose wrinkling. “No, thank you. I’ve never been able to stand the taste of coffee. I’m more of a hot chocolate or tea kind of girl.”
His shoulders slumped as he reached for my hand again. “Damn, sorry. I don’t have either of those.”
“That’s okay,” I reassured him, jerking my chin toward the roaring fire. “I’m sure I’ll be warm soon enough with that going.”
“Good point.”
“I wouldn’t turn down some water, though.” His gaze locked on my mouth as I licked my lips. “I wasn’t planning on going for an actual hike when I left the house, and I’m not sure how far I walked.”
“Shit, yes. I should have thought of that since my home is well off the beaten path.” Silas jumped to his feet and stalked into the kitchen to get me a glass of water, watching until I drank it all. “Do you need some more?”
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I think I’m good now.”
“How did you wind up here?”
Handing him the empty glass, I slumped against the cushions. “By being too irritated with my parents to pay close enough attention to where I was going.”
“You could’ve been hurt.”
His hand was clenching the glass so hard, I was worried it might shatter. So I reached out to take it back from him and set it on the small table next to the couch. Then I turned back to him and flashed a sheepish smile.
“I know. It was silly of me not to bring a backup flashlight since I should’ve expected the one I was using wouldn’t last that long.” His brows drew together, and I realized he had no idea what I was talking about. Taking the flashlight out of my pocket, I wiggled it in the air. “I’ve always had a bit of a problem with technology, especially stuff that uses batteries. My mom likes to say that I suck the energy right out of them. Watches, cell phones, you name it. If they’re going to glitch, they do it when I’m around.”
“That could explain a lot.” A muscle jumped in his jaw as he heaved a deep sigh. “And brings us back to our original conversation about what I meant when I asked you about the zapping and tingling.”
“I felt the zing, but I figured it was…um…just…how I was reacting to you.”
The tension seemed to seep from his body at my soft confession. “I hope like fuck that’s all it was because I couldn’t bear the thought of ever hurting you.”
“I’m very glad to hear that because I hate the idea of hurting you, too.” I tilted my head to the side. “But why do you think that you would?”
“Because I’m a monster,” he grunted.
I stroked my palm against the side of his face. The bristles of his short beard scraped against my skin. “You don’t look very monstrous to me.”
His spine straightened, as though he was steeling himself for something, and then he straightened his arm and pointed a finger toward the fire. “Only a monster could do something like this.”