Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Over and over and over.
I honestly think I deserve an award for how I’m able to push against his chest, separating myself from him.
“We can’t,” I say.
He takes my hands, traces his thumbs over my knuckles, triggering tingles of pure temptation. “You want this.”
“Maybe you make me horny. And I might like it when you take charge. It’s certainly a welcome break from having to take care of Grandma and myself all the time. But that doesn’t mean there’s anything real here, Raiden. Okay?”
“No. It’s not okay.”
He pulls me against him. I’m the queen of mixed signals. The moment I feel his firm body and his thick bulge, I take hold of his face and kiss him. He smooths his hands over my ass and makes that addicted groaning noise I love.
I wriggle away. “No.” I gasp. “Stop–I mean it.”
“Then say it like you mean it.”
He lifts me off my feet, and dammit, I can’t help but wrap my legs around him. I throw my arms over his shoulders and moan as he shifts up and down, grinding me against him.
“Stuh-stop,” I say between hot kisses. “Now. I mean it. Raiden!”
He puts me down, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and wild. “Fuck,” he mutters. “I want you so badly.”
“We can’t.”
“Why not?” he demands.
If we cross this line, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.
“This was never part of the deal.”
“Fuck the deal,” he grunts.
“Fuck the deal? What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you’re going to get your money. I’m saying I’m not backing out or even thinking about backing out. But… I don’t care about the deal anymore. I want you.”
“We’re strangers,” I protest.
“Do I feel like a stranger to you? You sure as hell don’t to me.”
My body thrums with heat. But I can’t give in to it. I’m a grownup, for God’s sake, with the ability to think through my desires, not melt like some romance heroine in a Flora Ferrari book.
“In a few hours, we’re done. That was our deal; that was what I signed up for. I’m sorry if it hurts you to hear this, but when we’re back home, we’re over.”
He grinds his teeth, hands trembling at his side. For a second, I think he’s going to grab me and tear my clothes off. For a second, I want him to.
“Fine,” he says after a long pause. “Have it your way.”
He turns, leaves the room, and slams the door behind him.
I drop onto the bed, shaking all over.
I made the right choice, didn’t I?
I’ve got college to think about, my future. I can’t derail it all for a relationship with a man I don’t even really know.
When he challenged me and asked if he felt like a stranger to me, I couldn’t say yes. The truth is, he doesn’t. Something has happened between us. Not something magical. Not something out of a movie.
But something too real for our circumstances.
I bury it deep.
So what? We had some chemistry, some good times, and watched a few movies. So what? He made my body burn.
It’s time to let go.
CHAPTER 24
RAIDEN
The atmosphere on the boat ride back is cold, and I don’t mean the weather. Aurora sits in her big coat, arms folded, stubbornly not looking at me. It’s late afternoon, the sun already beginning to set. We’ve given our statements to the police, and now it’s time to return to regular life.
Annoying thoughts strike me—ones that make it impossible to return to regular life. How am I supposed to forget about her? We’ve known each other for days. Days. Let that sink in, Raiden. Not weeks or months or years, but a few days of passion, chemistry, and bonding. Sure, it’s more than I’ve shared with any other woman, but that doesn’t mean I need to get carried away.
Back at her shop, we walk inside together.
“Do you want to say hello to Grandma?” she asks quietly.
“Sure.”
Though bonding with her family will not make separating any easier.
We go upstairs together, and a young woman greets us, short with a bob of red hair.
“Ellie–this is Raiden. Raiden, Ellie.”
I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Ellie’s my friend. She’s been taking care of Grandma. Raiden is…” Aurora trails off as if she has no clue how to finish the sentence.
“I’m thinking of investing in the shop,” I say.
Ellie nods, smiles tightly. “Nice to meet you.”
She knows about the deal if the way she’s looking at me is any indication.
“Thanks for doing this.” Aurora hugs her friend. “I can take it from here.”
Once Ellie is gone, we step into the living room. Her grandmother is sleeping soundly, one side of her face drooping slightly.
“I don’t think I should wake her,” Aurora whispers.
“Another time, perhaps,” I say instinctively.
Aurora looks at me like I’m a ghost.
“Or another life,” I growl, walking back down the stairs.