Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 112001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
And the lights being off blurred the distinction between memory and reality.
Was this the past? Before everything had gone so tragic? Or was it the present where she was trapped by it all?
Because she didn’t know, she was free to choose—so she clung to the illusion that a reset had occurred, that the nightmare had been woken from, that her life was continuing as it had been in the spring, the future assured in the way it was for mortals… with blindness to fate making it seem like there was a long runway to live out day and nights and make plans with the one you loved.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she parted her lips and held on. “I love you…”
Something was squeaking under them, probably her butt, although the table they were on was steady enough—still, if she’d been thinking clearly, she probably would have suggested they move onto the floor. Or, better yet, do this in their bedroom.
Except she wasn’t into the thinking thing now.
Holding on to Daniel’s shoulders, she knew he was getting close. So was she—and then she toppled over the edge of the world first. As the release flooded her senses, she cried out Daniel’s name, and that seemed to be what brought him his own orgasm.
As he started to fill her up, she stilled so she could feel all of it, the pumping, his breathing in her ear, the way her body absorbed what he was giving her.
Heaven, she thought. This is my piece of heaven.
When he was finally spent, they just lay there, exchanging gentle caresses and murmurs that were quiet and loving.
“Tell me something,” she said. “How are you so good to me?”
“I’ll put that right back on you.” She felt his fingertips on her forehead, her cheek… the side of her neck. “My wolf.”
“Will you come to bed with me now? I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep, but I’ll bet we can figure out how to pass the time.” When he hesitated, she said, “Please. I need to be with you.”
“That’s all you gotta tell me.”
As he retracted from her, she closed her legs and got to her feet. “Oh, crap, it’s dark in here. I have no idea where my leggings are…”
There was the sharp sound of a zipper and then—“Wait, I think I’ve got them.”
As she felt something soft and springy get passed into her hands, she performed some contortion moves to get the Lululemon back in place—and probably put them on backwards. The sweater was easier. She just pulled it down, then moved her foot around the carpet in search of her shoes.
After they were once again ready for prime-time viewing, so to speak, Daniel walked into the void and she heard his hands tapping at the books on the shelves.
“Found the exit.”
When he opened one of the doors, the light that flooded in blinded her, but as she went over to him, her retina recovery was fast—and as soon as she stepped out, she checked her clothes situation.
Well, what do you know. Everything was front-facing, and properly arranged on her body.
Walking side by side, they went all the way down the hall, and at the end, he stepped ahead and opened their bedroom door for her.
“I’m going to take a shower,” she said. “Care to join—”
She stopped as she caught him making a discreet grab for the doorjamb to catch his balance. After the last six months, he’d gotten good at hiding any lulls in his energy level, but she knew his tricks well.
“You need to go warm the bed.” She forced a smile. “I won’t be long.”
Daniel nodded and cleared his throat. “I’m good with that. And don’t be long.”
As he wagged an eyebrow, she thought that maybe, this once, she’d misjudged him. Maybe he was okay and she was merely looking to find weakness because it terrified her.
“I’ll just shower,” she repeated for no good reason.
Heading for the bathroom, she was almost inside the marble enclave when she glanced back—and froze where she was. Daniel was inching over to the bed, his face tight with pain—or maybe he was having trouble breathing? And when he got to the edge of the mattress, the way he gingerly turned himself around and slowly lowered his body down made her chest ache.
As he stretched out and put his head on the pillow, his eyes closed and he released a long breath. The cough at the end was like a curse.
She knew she should turn away so he didn’t catch her staring at him with what was undoubtedly a worried expression. Except he didn’t look at her.
He just lay there, breathing.
“Daniel…?”
His lids whipped open. “Wha—what, are you all right? Lydia—”
All of a sudden, he struggled to sit up, his hands paddling at the duvet, his face going pale as he started to pant and try to catch his breath.