Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“Don’t you want to know what was so important to your brother?”
“Yes, although a bigger part of me is afraid. It’s also hard to face that whatever is inside will be the last thing I will ever have from my brother. I don’t think I’m ready to face that yet. Do you think that makes me a coward?”
“No, just human,” she murmurs, studying me.
“That’s something I haven’t felt like in a long time,” I confess.
“Human?” Her smile broadens as she looks at me under her impossibly long eyelashes. “Did you think you were an alien?”
“Smartass,” I laugh.
“I’m just joking. I get it. In many ways, you and Olivia have both been through tremendous trauma. You need time to regroup, rebuild, and become stronger.”
“Don’t think I’m weak, Arwen. I’ve never been weak in my life,” I growl lowly, not wanting her to picture me as less than I should be.
“No one in their right mind would ever do that, Blade. Sometimes getting stronger has nothing to do with weakness, but with embracing change and the road before you.”
“Are you psychoanalyzing me, Doctor?”
“Just … observing,” she says.
“Do you know what I’m observing?” I ask, leaning in to grab her wine glass. I take it and put it—along with mine—on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
“What’s that?” she asks, and I don’t think it’s my imagination that she sounds breathless.
“I’m noticing how beautiful you are, how your lips look glossy and tempting. I’m noticing how you stare at me a little too long, and I’m praying that means you want to know what it would feel like to kiss me, because I sure as fuck am wondering that about you.”
“We shouldn’t,” she says at once, but her tongue slides out to lick her lips. That’s the only signal I need. I slide my hand along the side of her neck, instantly enjoying the way her pulse jumps against my hand.
“I definitely think we should,” I respond softly, bringing my lips to hers. Her fingers bite into my shirt. I freeze for a second, waiting to see if she’s going to push me away. When she holds me closer instead, I breathe easier. I take her lips, moaning as her sweetness hits me, and she lets my tongue inside. It seems I’ve been waiting too long for this kiss. Part of me worries that this woman is far more dangerous than I ever imagined, but I push those nagging thoughts aside and decide to just enjoy the here and now. It’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed the softness of a woman and the sweet, tender, innocent reactions that Arwen is giving me. I plan on enjoying it while I can because if life has taught me nothing, it’s that moments like this don’t last for men like me …
14 OLIVIA
I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the night—most notably the frogs in the background. This is the only time I feel at peace. I’m breathing fresh air, nature is all around me, and I’m not in chains or locked in a commercial freezer that’s been changed into a steel prison cell. A cell in which the floor is stained with blood from the man who still haunts my dreams.
I push the hair out of my face and take a deep, shuddering breath. I thought Winnie would be back by now, but she’s still out. I’m never alone, though. Winnie’s housekeeper, Mrs. Dynes, is here. She lives with Winnie. She’s a sweet older lady who has been really nice to me. I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life, though. I can’t keep staying with Winnie. It’s time I start rebuilding my life. I haven’t used Bear’s money, and I don’t want to. I loved him. I didn’t love him for what it could get me. Knowing I got that money because my brother killed him …
I just can’t touch it.
I’d give my life if it would bring Bear back. I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Hell, I’ve prayed for that exact same thing a thousand times. I stand up, pulling the black-and-white checkered throw—that I have over my shoulders—tighter. Maybe I can make some tea to help me sleep. Mrs. Dynes is always suggesting it. I hate hot tea, but I’m desperate enough to try it tonight. With any luck, it will bring a dreamless sleep.
Just as I turn to go inside, a truck pulls into the driveway. My body tenses up. I start to run inside. I’m not good at meeting people—especially strangers. I have the doorknob turned to hurry inside but stop myself. I’m so fucking sick of being weak. My brother and his buddies have destroyed me over and over. I can’t allow them to keep taking everything from me. It takes everything I have not to run away. I wring my hands together and stare at the truck, my eyes squinting as the headlights shine directly at me. I worry I’m in my nightgown, but it’s down to my ankles, and my breasts could probably be seen through the silky fabric. At least that’s hidden under the throw that I grabbed to chase away the chill of the night air.