Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Eventually, Adrian guided us back toward the estate, the stallion’s pace slowing to a canter and then a trot as we emerged from the woods. The stable came into view, and I felt an unexpected pang of disappointment that I quickly shove away.
Azrael slowed into a stop. Adrian dismounted first and I had no choice but to lean down to him so he could pull me off the horse.
As he lowered me to the ground, my body slid against him. For one suspended moment, our bodies aligned, and we fit together like two puzzle pieces. The firm planes of his torso pressed into my soft curves, my body moving in a way to fit into him. An unexpected jolt of electricity zapped through my body and my skin tingled with hyperawareness.
As Adrian set me down, my feet were unsteady on the ground and my muscles felt like jello. Azrarel let out a neigh and stomped once, not aggressively. Almost like he was just as disappointed that our run had come to an end.
The stallion pushed his muzzle against my back and a giggle escaped past my lips, entirely childish and gleeful.
“Why did you do that?” I asked, finally finding the courage to ask him that question.
Adrian’s gaze bore into me. “Because you looked like you needed it.”
Thud.
“How do you know what I need?”
“You hide it pretty well, but one only needs to look closely to see it.” His arm tightened around my waist and that was when I realized that he was still holding me. We were still pressed against each other. As if he had realized the same thing at the same time, he let go. “The starry, lost look in your eyes, Princess.”
Princess… oh.
He had called me that before, but never like this. Never in this tone.
Soft. Warm. Decadently sinful.
Adrian saw more than I wanted him to see. I didn’t know how to feel about that.
But most importantly…
“Why are you being nice to me?” My brows furrowed with the question.
He let out a low chuckle, the vibration traveling all the way to my toes. “I’m not nice. This is for my benefit more than yours.”
“What are you benefiting from it?”
“Your time.” He leaned down. “Your attention.” His head moved closer. “The taste of your breath on my lips.”
Oh God…
My stomach fluttered.
My thoughts scattered.
“Selfishly, I can’t get enough of it,” he rasped.
His breath feathered against my lips. Warm. Eager. Tantalizing.
“I don’t want this,” I said, though I couldn’t even convince myself with my own words.
“Lies. What else?” The corner of his lips lifted with a tempting, dangerous half-smirk.
My stomach suddenly hollowed in realization, the earlier flutter replaced by coldness.
Adrian was reckless, careless and impulsive.
He had the freedom to do whatever he wanted, without consequences.
But I lacked the same freedom.
Every action I took had a repercussion.
“You shouldn’t be doing this,” I said in a weak attempt.
His smirk widened and it was almost maddening. “Yet, you are the one holding on to me. I’m not even touching you.”
His eyes flickered between my face and his arm, where I was holding onto his sleeve.
I hadn’t even realized I was doing so. When, how… I didn’t know.
My fingers released him and I pushed at his chest to force him back, finally finding the strength, the shame to do so. I knew he was stronger than me, but he still allowed me to shove him back. “You shouldn’t get so close to me. It’s inappropriate. If your brother finds out, or my father… I would be in trouble.”
His blue eyes flickered with something unreadable. His hand came up and he clasped my chin between his fingers, holding my gaze. “You are already in trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have the attention of The Reaper and his prey never escapes.”
“I am the prey?”
Stop it. Stop responding. Pull away. Walk away. Stop indulging in this madness, his madness.
“My prey,” he purred.
“But I’m not yours,” I breathed.
This time, my words seemed to finally get through him. It was so sudden, I reeled from the change. A shadow fell on his face, his expression clouding.
“No,” he agreed, his eyes darkening. He let go of my chin and fully pulled away. Putting distance between us. “You belong to my brother. The perfect Matteo. The heir.”
There was something in his tone, a sneer, a kind of bitterness that went beyond what I assumed was sibling rivalry.
I studied Adrian’s expression, trying to decipher the layers beneath his arrogant, mocking exterior. The more I looked at him, the more I saw something I didn’t before.
He hated Matteo.
“Why do you hate your brother?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Adrian’s face hardened, his stormy blue eyes turning almost black with fury. “You’re walking right into fire, Princess.” His chest rumbled with a low growl. “You don’t know anything about my relationship with Matteo. And he knows nothing about you.”