Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
My heartbeat increased, but this time it wasn’t due to fright.
“His heart is under steel locks and unbreakable bars, but once you find the key he’ll always be yours.”
“Are you going to answer me?” I lifted the blanket so I wouldn’t trip over it as I returned to bed.
“Truthfully, I don’t know why I’m here.” Chase averted his eyes and blew out air. “I guess I just wanted to see you and make sure you were doing okay. That this situation isn’t overwhelming for you.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re lying.”
My mouth dropped open, but no words came out.
“Make believe lover, he’ll take you to butterfly gardens and worlds with no wars. He’ll guide you along a path of rainbows and help you fly toward the stars.”
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
What could you do? Stay with me, like this is just a regular relationship, like it’s only me and you, not three other women vying for your attention and love.
But then it would just be one night, and tomorrow night I’d have to adjust to this crazy place all over again.
He moved around the bed and headed toward me.
“No. I’m fine,” I said.
He paused.
“Plus, you being here is against Dawn’s rules.” I playfully wagged my index finger at him, slung my blankets on the bed, and climbed back on it. “You know you can’t stay.”
“Damn the rules.” He plopped on the bed next to me.
I blocked his hands as he attempted to embrace me.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered. “What’s bothering you?”
“Seriously.” I covered his mouth with my hand. “I’m okay.”
He hovered over me. “I watched you from my window while you stumbled out of the limo. You seemed different. I know your laugh and it wasn’t the same sound from when you laughed a few nights ago. At first, I wasn’t going to come, but . . .”
“But what?”
He said nothing else.
A sinking feeling hit me. Insecurity drifted my way and replaced the little peace I’d been feeling.
I bit my bottom lip. “Will I be the only room you visit tonight?”
“Of course.” He shifted to his side and lay next to me. “Jasmine, I swear I never do this. Dates are done by ten at night and I’m back in my apartment minutes later. I don’t do secret visits at any time. Especially on others’ date nights.”
“Then why are you doing this now?” For some reason, I was afraid of the answer. Nothing but bad thoughts jumbled my head.
Did he think he could just slip in, have sex with me, and slip out undetected? Would that be wrong or right?
He sighed and slid his fingers from my chin and down the curve of my neck.
I gently pushed him away. “Haven’t you already had sex with Dawn tonight?”
He groaned, but remained where he was. “Yes. We had a date. No. We did not have sex, and for your information, I’m not here for that.”
I centered my attention on the ceiling so he couldn’t see the doubt swimming in my eyes. “You should leave. Later, I’ll just wonder on one of my nights if you’re going to do this with someone else.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that,” I mumbled.
“Please look at me. I won’t be doing secret visits for anybody.” He targeted me with those green eyes. My whole spirit floated his way like a traitor, leaving me to fend for myself.
“In his eyes are wishes, and in his lips are kisses, that will last well past when you’ve woken up.”
“Am I just a new toy to you?” I asked.
“Hell no. I’ve had many toys.” He shook his head. “What’s going on between us is different.”
“No. It’s not.” I closed my eyes.
“Why does it feel different to me?” He leaned in. His soft lips smoothed against mine. It felt so good to have him near me. His leather and vanilla scent wrapped around me, trapping me to him.
This is why I haven’t walked away.
Inhaling him, I relished in the press of his body. When his tongue entered my mouth, I groaned and collapsed into the mattress. He pulled back.
A hungry look replaced his usual expression, and I feared he would swallow me whole. “All night, even on my date with Dawn, I thought of you and our trip. I couldn’t get your scent out of my head or the way you moaned.”
“Don’t say that,” I muttered.
“For the first time in five years, this arrangement is . . . difficult.”
My body tensed.
But what did that mean for us? How did that relate to me?
I turned my head away from him. The satin pillow flattened against my cheek. Part of me craved an answer. The rest was too scared to hear it. Most likely nothing would change.
“He flies down to you, his wings flowing in the wind. He captures you with firm arms and soft skin.”
“Don’t make me leave.” He decorated the side of my face with tender kisses. “I’m not asking for us to have sex. I just want to be next to you.”