Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 140896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 704(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
I flash him the middle finger, to which he chuckles. “As I said, I’m open to fucking you, but not at the moment.”
“You and I will never happen.”
“Never say never.” He tightens his grip on my thigh as if to cement his words.
I try and fail to remove his hand. It’s like he’s attached to me by an invisible string.
“Speaking of never, how come you’ve never replied to my text or followed me back on Instagram?”
He followed me on Instagram? I didn’t notice that. Then again, I haven’t been in the right frame of mind since yesterday. I’m also still sleep-deprived because even though Maya allowed me to share her bed, I couldn’t relax enough to sleep after those damn texts and the images of his hand on my throat.
“Ever thought that maybe, just maybe, I don’t like you?”
“Small detail that can be changed.”
“Not even if you turn into a saint.”
“Why would I do something so dull? Besides, you might fool the whole world, yourself included, but I’m well aware that you’re not into saints. Not even a little. Not even close.”
I swallow. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, my little muse. We’re cut from the same cloth, you and I. Well, not identical cloth, but it’s similar enough. And if I have to prove it, so be it.”
The car comes to a halt and I stiffen in my seat as I look at the dark building in the middle of nowhere.
Landon’s grip on my thigh brings me back to him. A terrifying smirk lifts his lips. “Welcome to my territory.”
10
MIA
I knew I was in trouble when Landon's pretentious car pulled up to the abandoned house, its gates creaking open to reveal a nightmare I couldn't escape.
The goosebumps and tingles that snaked through my body shrivel to a slow death as the old castle-like building materializes in front of me.
It looks straight out of a medieval war—one that didn’t go so well for whoever protected whatever this place.
The gray walls have nearly turned green with the smudges left by nature. Brittle leaves rustle in the wind, their jagged edges scraping against the blurry windows like the claws of a desperate animal.
The only new element in the property’s immediate surroundings is the refurbished massive black gate that Landon drives through.
Even though the car remains steady, I can see the uneven, rutty road. The trees either have branches that resemble a witch’s bony hand or contain so many intertwined leaves, you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.
The beds of flowers have withered to their tragic death, leaving gruesome skeletons in their wake. A grim stench reeks from every nook of this house that could serve as a den of ghosts and paranormal creatures.
The car comes to a slow halt near the front door. That is, if the old wooden shape with metal strips can be called a door.
“What do you think?”
I startle at the sudden appearance of Landon near my ear. The asshole moves like an evil snake, without making any sound whatsoever.
“About what? The poor imitation of a haunted house?” I pretend to be completely unaffected, although my stomach twists into a thousand knots.
“No imitation in sight.” His hot breath skims along the shell of my ear as his hand grips my thigh tighter. “This is an actual haunted house. It is said that its previous owner became unstable due to the horrors of the war and cast a spell on the place. Ever since then, his family members have met tragic deaths, and anyone who enters never comes out of it sane.”
“That explains your personality, then,” I sign with a sweet smile.
He chuckles, his chest rumbling against the side of my arm. And just like that, the tingles and goosebumps resurrect from the ashes as if they were never slaughtered.
“Stop being so hot.” He bites the shell of my ear. Like he did last night. Only, now, it’s more intimate and provokes a throbbing between my inner thighs.
My nails dig into my palm, but I have no clue how to react to the strong physical reaction building inside me.
Then, as if to make matters worse, he licks the spot he bit and I have to clamp my lips shut to keep from making any noises.
As easily and fast as he touched me, he releases me. “Now, come out.”
Just like that, he steps out of the car, leaving me in a heap of cryptic emotions.
It takes me a few seconds to gather my wits. I need to snap out of it. Since I’ve found myself in this situation anyway, might as well give Landon a taste of his own medicine so he regrets messing with me.
Armed with my new resolve, I push the door open and step out, chin held high and my nose nearly touching the sky.