Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
I watched him pour tea into two porcelain cups, every inch the consummate gentleman. He had changed into another suit after his shower, making me wonder just how many of those dark-colored ensembles he had stored in his car. As he turned towards me, I saw the way the slightly wet locks of his hair shone like golden rays under the fluorescent lighting. It was a dazzling sight, and my senses quivered.
Mr. Handsome. Home. Shower.
It was much too intimate a thought, and I hastily shoved it aside as Paul handed me a steaming cup of chamomile tea. “T-Thanks.” I tried to lift the cup to my lips, but it was impossible. My hands had suddenly started shaking, and I stared at them in consternation. I thought I was okay. I should be okay, so why –
I heard Paul sigh, and I stiffened when I saw him rise to his feet. “It’s fine,” I said immediately. “I can—-”
But Paul only ignored my protest as he scooped me off the couch and took my place – just before depositing me on his lap.
“P-Paul!” I had never sat on a man’s lap. Never. And that the first time would actually happen with Mr. Handsome, of all people –
“You’re still in shock,” he said gently.
No kidding, I thought dizzily, and my nerves were stretched taut at the feel of Paul’s hard warmth against my trembling limbs. This time, I couldn’t even try to protest as Paul lifted the cup to my lips. I started to take a sip, but then I saw the steam rising past the rim, and I hesitated.
“Blair?” In the corner of my eye, I saw his lips curve as I blew on my tea several times before letting myself take a tiny sip. It was the right kind of hot, and I sighed in relief as I took a longer sip.
When I lifted my head, the first thing I saw was the gleam in his hazel eyes, and my face heated up. “What?” I couldn’t help sounding defensive.
He placed the cup back on the table with a shake of his head. “It’s disconcerting,” he admitted wryly, “the way you can appear like an innocent child one moment and a fully-blossomed woman the next.”
My cheeks turned a deeper shade of red at his words. “You’re reading it the wrong way,” I muttered even as I let Paul pull me back against him, my head against his chest. I knew I should be doing the opposite, but I was tired of going against what I truly wanted. Just this once, I would do what my heart craved – and that was to be in Paul’s arms.
“Are you saying you never act like a child?” Paul asked teasingly.
“I’m saying I’m human,” I grumbled. “You hold live thunderbolts in your hands, for Cronos’ sake. I won’t be surprised if I see you playing with them next time like a majorette twirling her batons—-”
“That’s a horrible analogy,” Paul interrupted with a slight wince.
I suddenly had a vision of him wearing a majorette’s costume, gold-tasseled shoulder padding and all, and I choked back a laugh.
Paul scowled down at me. “Get that image out of your mind, Blair.”
“But—-”
“But nothing,” he said firmly. “Or I’ll give you something else to think about.”
A strong arm went around my waist, and I gulped.
Not good.
“You win,” I said hastily. “I’m already thinking of something else.”
Paul shook his head in mock disappointment. “You give in too easily, agapoula mou.”
“It’s called self-preservation.”
“I see.” His voice was pleasant, too pleasant, and unease stirred inside of me.
“Paul—-” My voice broke off as I felt his arm tighten around my waist again.
“A pity you didn’t have the same concern when you left your house despite my warnings.”
“I knew you’d get around to that sooner or later.” I kept my voice light and teasing, hoping to defuse the sudden tension in the room, but Paul’s handsome face remained unsmiling.
“You almost died out there, Blair.” His voice was taut, and the way he was suddenly looking at me made my throat tighten. “If I hadn’t found you in time—-”
“But you did,” I whispered.
“But what if I didn’t?” he gritted out. “You can’t take such chances—-”
The look on his face was unbearable. It thrilled and confused me, and I could only shake my head, asking tremulously, “Why do you worry so much about me? You’ve only known me for days.”
“It’s been more than days, Blair,” he said quietly. “You and I both know you’ve been watching me a lot longer than that.”
Oh.
“And it was the same for me. I couldn’t stop watching you from the first day I saw you in Panda’s—-”
My fingers curled involuntarily against his chest, and Paul inhaled sharply.
“W-What exactly are you saying?”
“I don’t want to see you hurt,” he said flatly. “Isn’t that obvious enough?”
“You know that’s not what I’m asking.” I swallowed hard. “Why do you worry so much over me?”