Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“Whatever the hell they want. Everyone on the guest list is fully aware of the possible outcomes and no one attends without full comprehension of the rules and total consent.”
Her breath caught as she imagined what some men might do to a woman with limitless consent.
“They have twenty-four hours, and the women are paid whether they get caught or not. The entire Feast is surveyed closely. No one is hurt. We take all necessary precautions.”
“I think I’m okay with sitting that one out.”
Hunter’s dark eyes narrowed on her in that way that made her skin tingle as if he were already touching her. But he hadn’t moved an inch. He just stared at her, dominating that leather wingback chair as if it were a throne.
“Good, because you’ll be in your room,” Ash said.
“With the doors locked,” Stone added.
“And this time, Cole will keep you there.”
“Speaking of Cole, how’s he enjoying his vacation?”
“He’s not on vacation. He’s working a job. We sent him with Katya for protection.”
Marigold smirked. “And, by the looks of that string bikini, he must really have his work cut out for him.”
The three of them grumbled various words of disapproval in Russian.
“We’re done here,” Stone announced, rising from his seat. “You’re coming with me.”
“Not so fast.” Hunter’s voice cut through the library like a blade through silk. He remained in his chair, sprawled with deliberate casualness, but his onyx eyes tracked Marigold with predatory focus that made her stomach drop.
Stone paused, one hand still wrapped around Marigold’s wrist. “Problem?”
“Yes. Our little fox needs to understand why women might volunteer to be hunted.”
Marigold drew back. “No, I think I’m set—”
Hunter held up a silencing hand. “Our clients come to The Preserve with a certain expectation. Our exclusivity and impeccable standards maintains an elite clientele. Beyond absolute discretion, we provide a judgement free space for them to explore their darker…proclivities. We do not judge that which is done with safe and sane consent.”
“I wasn’t—”
“You were.” He glanced briefly at his brothers then back to her with dark promise in his eyes. “Now, you need a lesson.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Wh—what kind of lesson?”
Hunter rose slowly, unfolding from the leather chair with the lethal grace of something wild barely contained in human skin. Each movement was calculated, deliberate, a predator preparing to strike. “If you can’t comprehend the appeal of a hunt, I think it’s time for a demonstration.”
Marigold’s pulse kicked against her throat like a trapped bird throwing itself against cage bars. “What are you talking about?”
“You sat there, so fucking judgmental, questioning why anyone would enjoy being hunted.” Hunter’s voice dropped to a growl. The threatening implication of his words vibrated through her chest, settling low in her belly where it bloomed into liquid heat. “That’s an arrogant position for a trembling little fox to hold.”
“Hunter—” Ash started, but the warning died when Hunter’s gaze cut to him.
“She needs to understand what we offer. What we protect her from.” He turned back to Marigold, and her breath caught at the dangerous glint in his eyes.
Every instinct screamed run even as her body softened in refusal to move. “You won’t hurt me,” she said, reminding herself as much as the others.
“Are you sure?” He took a step and she immediately mirrored it with a backstep of her own.
“Out there,” he pointed to the tall window, “at the Feast, women are prey. They beg for the opportunity.”
She shook her head, finding his claim impossible to imagine.
“You don’t believe me?” He looked at his brother. “Tell her, Stone.”
Stone shrugged with zero misgivings to such claims. “Our office is littered with applications. Essays from women all over the world pleading to attend the next feast.”
“You see, Lisichka, they want to be one of the fallen.”
“Why?”
Ash’s low chuckle distracted her, but she quickly returned her focus to Hunter. In the split second she took her eyes off him, he moved closer without making a sound.
“They’re chased by men who paid millions for the privilege, men who don’t know them, don’t care about anything beyond the thrill of a catch. Here?” He stepped closer, and she felt the heat radiating off his massive frame, smelled the masculine scent of cedar and something darker, something that whispered of violence barely leashed. “Here, you’re mine to hunt. Mine to catch. Mine to claim. And, like them, you’re going to love every fucking second of it.”
Stone released her wrist, stepping back with a dark smile that sent electricity crackling across her skin. “You better get going, Goldilocks.”
“Going where?” Her eyes widened as all three men began rolling up their sleeves and loosening their collars.
“Thirty seconds.” Hunter cracked his neck, the sound sharp as breaking branches. “That’s all the head start you get.”
“To do what?” Marigold staggered back, her head shaking in protest, but arousal already pooled low in her belly, mixing with genuine fear in a cocktail that made her dizzy, made her thighs clench.