Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
She slams the door in my stunned face.
“You can’t!” I shout.
“Don’t worry about it,” she shouts back through the door. “You’re fired!”
CHAPTER FIVE
Gracie
I’m combing over everything known about Hector Contreras, but another man keeps butting into my mind and ruining my research.
I sigh as I close my laptop and stare at the door.
“Don’t even think about it,” I whisper as the tempting image of me sneaking down the hall and tapping on Ryker’s door slides into my head.
I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I did that. This man is insanely hot. Those arms, those eyes, mmmm. I’m getting all worked up just thinking about them.
He said I was his mate. He was so sure about it. I’m not entirely convinced, but I can’t deny the fierce attraction burning through my body for this man. I can’t deny the way his protective eyes sparked something primal in me. Maybe he’s on to something…
“Ugh,” I say as I jump out of the seat and head to the minibar in the corner of my room. I have work to do before my big meeting and this frustrating man has got me all distracted.
I open the mini fridge and sigh when I see that it’s broken like so much of the rest of the country. This is such a shame. El Nicanduras is a spectacular country, but tourists avoid it like the plague because the psychotic members of Los Lobos de la Muerte also dabble in kidnapping and extortion in addition to drugs. I think we’re one of the only ones in the hotel right now.
I’m really hoping I can make a difference with my interview tomorrow. The international community has to help these poor people get out from under the heel of Hector Contreras’ oppressive boot. I would love it if my interview is the start of something new and positive for the citizens here.
I grab a tiny bottle of Rhum and a can of Coke, but they’re both hot. Everything in this country is hot. Including my new bodyguard…
“Ugh. Stop.”
Anyway, he’s not my bodyguard anymore. I fired him, so he’s probably boarding a plane and heading back to the US at this very moment.
Is there a more frustrating man on the planet? We hired him to keep me safe and all he did was boss me around and tell me not to do my job. The nerve of this guy! I’m pacing around the room, getting all worked up just thinking about it. He was so demanding. So frustrating. I wanted to shut him up by sitting on his face.
I spot the ice bucket on top of the minibar and remember passing an ice machine beside the stairwell. I grab the bucket and head to the door. I’m in my pyjamas—tiny shorts and a tank top with no underwear on, but the hotel is pretty much empty, so I’m not really worried about running into anyone. Like I said, El Nicanduras is void of tourists and I assume I’m under the protection of Hector Contreras, which means there won’t be any criminals hanging around. Besides, it’s only a few feet away. I’ll run there and back before anyone knows I’m gone.
I open the door and gasp when I see Ryker standing there, arms folded in front of his big chest like he’s on guard.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I hide my body with the door.
“Protecting you.”
God, his voice… It’s so deep and buttery. I hate how it turns my whole body to jelly.
“There’s a lock on the door,” I tell him.
He shrugs those big shoulders. “It’s not safe enough.”
“Didn’t I fire you?” I ask, giving him a stern look.
“You don’t have to pay me,” he says like he couldn’t care less about the money. “But you can’t fire a protective mate.”
“It’s so nice that I get to have a say in the matter,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I never agreed to be your mate.”
“You don’t have to,” he says. “It was set before you were born. It’s written in the stars. It’s fate.”
“Is that so?” I ask, leaning on the door as I look up at his big chiseled jaw. I’m showing a bit of cleavage and he notices, but I don’t hide behind the door anymore. I like having his eyes on me. I love the possessive way he looks at me. He looks at me like I’m all his. Like I was made for him. Even though he’s frustrating as all hell, he’s intriguing and sexy and I have a bit of a crush developing even though I’m trying really hard not to.
“Are you going to stand out here all night?” I ask as I look up and down the empty hall.
“Yes.”
I laugh. “Seriously?”
“I’m not leaving your side.”
“On this trip or ever?”
“Ever.”
I’m laughing, but he’s not. Wait, is he serious?