Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
How the hell could she have breath that smelled like clear winter snow and strawberries when she’d been in a fight and was locked in a coffin? Nothing about her made the least bit of sense, including her insane reaction to the situation they were in. She climbed mountains, sometimes with little gear. He knew because he’d been her damned stalker for the three months he’d been undercover and the last two, returning like an idiot, convincing himself he went back to her because she was the best at giving haircuts and he wanted the best.
He sometimes was truthful with himself, and right then, he had to admit, it wasn’t the haircut. It wasn’t even her smoking-hot little body. It was the way, when she saw him coming—no matter where she was, her shop or the bar—she rushed to the door, with a huge smile on her face, and greeted him like the moon rose when he showed up. She didn’t flirt. It was a genuine greeting, as if she’d been waiting for eternity to see him.
It was strange because she never once acted as if she wanted him. In fact, when he flirted, she rolled her eyes. He liked that too.
The moment he issued his command to look at him into her open mouth, she froze beneath him. Despite her stillness, he could feel the tremors and shudders going through her body.
“Eyes on mine. I mean it, Lyric. I want you looking into my eyes.” He feathered his lips over hers. “Do it now.”
She didn’t like looking anyone in the eyes, but over the last five months, she’d gotten over that with him. Sometimes, in the bar, it was still quick, shy glances, but she was learning he liked her looking at him. He knew she wasn’t playing coy, she just preferred to avoid eye contact. In this instance, it was necessary, and he was going to get what he needed from her.
Lyric didn’t respond fast enough, and he locked his teeth on her bottom lip and bit down in warning. He made certain she felt the shocking sting. Instantly, her gaze flew to his. The terror had receded enough to allow shock in. He licked at the bite mark, all the while holding her with his eyes.
“You keep looking at me. Only me.” He used the voice he knew scared the crap out of anyone hearing it. She had never shown fear of him, not once. Not even when everyone else had. Her normal reaction to his shift into badass was secret amusement. He wanted to see that in her eyes. Not this time. Her green eyes skittered all over the place, her breath coming in raw gasps. He wasn’t certain she was fully with him.
Eyes locked to hers, he lowered his head again and took her lower lip between his teeth. Very slowly he began to apply pressure until she gasped, all that green suddenly centering completely on him. He licked at the spot again. His brand. He liked that she wore something of his, and that just proved he was a fuckin’ idiot. He also knew only something shocking could pull her out of her complete panic.
“You back with me?”
Her gaze started to shift toward the lid, and he caught at her lip in warning. Instantly, he had her complete attention.
“Lyric, we’re in a little trouble here. I can get us out, but I need you to help me.” He softened his voice but kept her gaze captive. “We’re not going to draw their attention. They have to think we’re unconscious.”
A shudder went through her body. Plastered as he was on top of her, he felt the earthquake-like tremors. The deep, very real fear. “I can’t breathe. There’s no air.” She whispered it to him like a confession, her pupils so wide they were taking over the color in her eyes.
“There’s plenty of air. Stay with me, Wildfire. You’re tough as nails. Take a breath in and let it out.”
“I can’t.”
She tried to shake her head, but he didn’t allow her to move—or take her eyes from his. He sighed very loudly. “Babe, you’re giving me no choice here. If you can’t get on top of this, you give me no choice but to distract you.”
Her lashes fluttered as if she were trying to decide between screaming in terror or trying to figure out what he meant. He didn’t wait for either reaction.
Keys lowered his head and took her mouth. Feathered his lips over hers. Swallowed her fear and took it deep. Tasted that elusive strawberry-and-fresh-snow scent that he knew he’d always want when he kissed her. Her mouth. Those pouty lips. Hell. He’d been trying to shock her into distraction, and he’d ended up drowning in her.
He might have surprised her, but the shock to himself was far more than what he was doing to her. He liked her. As a person. He was drawn to her for many reasons. That greeting of hers, unfailing every time. The real laughter she gave to him and no one else. It didn’t matter if he had a woman at the bar with him. She didn’t seem to care.