Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Rodian smiles at me. “I’ll have to ambush you during your walk to or from work.”
Silence falls between us while we enjoy our coffee and make quick work of the cinnamon swirls.
Not once does Rodian comment or side-eye the amount I’m eating, and it makes me fall even harder for him.
I glance at the rail of costumes, thinking I’ll come in early Tuesday morning to get them ready so they can be taken to the storage room, then I’ll talk to Charlotte about leaving.
Turning my attention back to Rodian, I find him staring at me, a relaxed expression on his face.
After a little while, I say, “You’re very comfortable with silence.”
“Only with the right person.”
Time slips away again with bursts of conversation about random topics and moments where we just look at each other.
Suddenly, an alarm sounds from my phone, which is tucked into my handbag, and I gasp. “Oh, my God. Is it six o’clock?”
I get up to silence the device as Rodian says, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
He rises to his feet, and after I tuck my phone back into my bag, I turn to face him as he comes to stand in front of me. “I should probably let you get some sleep.”
Nodding, I pull the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “Good idea.”
“Can I give you a ride home?”
Not ready for him to know where I live, I shake my head. “I like walking.” I give him a questioning look. “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Definitely.” He moves closer until I’m able to catch a faint whiff of his cologne.
God, I love how much bigger than me he is.
His blue eyes drift over my face, then he whispers, “You’re beautiful, Anastasia.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “It’s going to take some getting used to how direct you are.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Should I rather lie?”
Chuckling, I shake my head, but then I begin to feel shy and clear my throat. “That was nice of you to say. Thank you.”
“I’m just telling you what I see.” His voice sounds deeper as he narrows his eyes.
More nervous energy pours into my stomach as I ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just thinking.”
It feels as if something very intimate weaves around us. “About?”
“Whether leaving is a mistake.”
Totally focused on him, I whisper, “Why would you say that?”
“I get the feeling if I leave, I won’t see you again.”
After spending the entire night talking to Rodian, the thought of never seeing him again makes an unexpected heaviness creep into my chest. “I’ll be outside the theater at seven p.m. sharp.”
His expression softens, and he takes another step closer, his voice even lower than before. “I’ll be here. Nothing on this planet will be able to keep me away.”
Holy crap. Everything he does and says is attractive.
When he lifts his hand and brushes his knuckles over my cheek, the gentle touch steals the air from my lungs, and the way he looks at me makes anticipation pour through every inch of my body.
His hand slips around the back of my neck as he leans down, and I’m glued to the spot, barely breathing, until his mouth softly presses against mine.
Dear Lord.
So many things happen all at once that I’m completely overwhelmed.
I feel the scratch of his bristles against my skin and the firmness of his lips.
My abdomen clenches unbelievably hard, my stomach dips and soars, and my heart slams wildly against my ribs while my palms grow sweaty.
Rodian lifts his head barely an inch, and his eyes take mine captive. As I raise my hands to place them on his biceps, his expression tenses until he looks downright predatory. “I want to get to know everything about you, Anastasia.”
“We only have a week,” I whisper.
“Not if I can help it.” His arm wraps around my lower back, and as he tugs me against his chest, almost lifting me off my feet, his mouth crashes into mine.
Holy shit!
His tongue pushes past my lips, and because I’m stupidly inexperienced, all I can do is let him have his way while I enjoy every second.
Rodian kisses me with such passion it makes me feel lightheaded and completely under his control. His tongue sweeps urgently through my mouth as if he’s desperate to taste every inch.
My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, and when his lips knead mine hungrily, tingles crash through me and goose bumps form on my skin.
His arm tightens even more around me, making my feet leave the floor, and just as it registers that he’s incredibly strong, he groans, the sound stopping all my brain activity.
Time does not exist as Rodian gives me the first kiss I’ve ever had, and when he slows down and sensually nips at my mouth, I struggle to remember my name.