Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Then a shape takes form. A tall, dark figure among the silhouettes of the trees.
“Do you see that?” I whisper, trembling.
“See what?” Leo scans the darkness.
“There, in the trees.” I point a shaky finger at the shadowy figure, trying to adjust my vision to the murky gloom.
It’s there, then it’s not, fading in and out like an apparition.
Fear tightens its grip on my throat, squeezing the breath from my lungs.
Kody steps into the rain, his posture predatory and intent. He charges in the direction I pointed, moving with the lethality of a predator.
I swallow my gasps, every muscle tense as he disappears into the shadows.
The rain intensifies, drumming against the leaves and the roof of the walkway. Leo and I stand together, waiting, the minutes threading into eternity.
I strain my ears, listening, my pulse thudding in my stomach.
“Kody?” Leo calls, his voice a low rumble.
No answer. Terror plucks at my nerves, whispering unbearable possibilities.
At last, Kody emerges from the shadows, his black eyes unreadable.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head, droplets of rain flying from his hair. “There’s nothing out there.”
“I saw something.” My shoulders creep up, and I force them down. “I know I did.”
“Probably a security guard.” Leo places a kiss on my brow. “You’re safe.”
It’s been a long day. We only left the hospital this morning. Then there were the revelations at the lawyer’s office, the flight from Anchorage, the stressful interactions with Monty…
No wonder I’m seeing things. I’m not thinking straight.
When we reach the entrance of our temporary housing, I realize too late that I should’ve grabbed my phone and a change of clothes.
I enter my code in the keypad, surprised it still works.
Inside, I give them the code and flick on the lights.
“Kitchen and sitting room.” I gesture, indicating the open floor plan. “There are two bedrooms upstairs. I’m going to take a shower.”
Maybe it will relieve the ache in my chest. I’m wound so tightly I can’t breathe.
As I veer toward the stairs, Leo moves quickly, transforming from a calm breeze to a raging gale in three powerful strides.
His hands capture my hips and sweep me off my feet. Turning, he sets me on the nearby kitchen table and dips his head to clamp his teeth on my neck. He pins me there, his eyes closing as he inhales deeply.
I tangle my fingers in his braided Viking knots and pull him closer. Over his shoulder, I share a look with Kody, who regards me with questions in his liquid black eyes.
“I’m okay.” I kiss Leo’s temple, breathing in his smoky cedar and mechanic scent. “I’m just…emotional.”
Leo inches back to see my face. “You’re human.”
“I’m a mess.”
“Messy like a river crashing through the mountains. Like a bonfire, flickering wildly, sparking into the night. Like the rain—”
“Stop.” My eyes burn and start to leak as I melt in his arms. “You’re making me cry.”
“Every tear is a sign of your infinite worth.” He runs his thumb across my wet cheek. “In you, my universe lies.”
“And you, my poetic savage, are a dark vine reaching.”
“Better to wrap around the soul that mirrors mine.”
“Cute.” Kody grunts.
“To think…” I sigh, smiling. “You had me at human.”
“I’d rather have you in the shower.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Got my eyes fixed on eternity with you. There’s no rush.”
When I start to argue, he shoves three fingers into my mouth and pumps them, gently at first. Then his touch becomes rougher until I’m sucking, gagging, and gasping for more.
He replaces his hand with his lips and, with forever on his breath, he slowly, passionately seduces me with his mouth.
Stroking that sinful tongue against mine, he licks and savors with a reverence that owns me. His deep, inveigling kiss fills me with an ache so raw I forget where I am and why I needed this so badly.
Outside, the rain ceases to fall, leaving a serene hush when he finally pulls away.
Kody is there, arms reaching, as Leo plucks me from the table and hands me over.
Like the whole thing was orchestrated.
“Nice and docile.” Leo brushes a wayward curl from my face and meets Kody’s eyes. “I’ll be right behind you.”
As Kody carries me up the stairs, I hug his corded neck and watch Leo stalk through the sitting room, checking windows and doors and searching for cameras. As if he didn’t just kiss me into a boneless puddle.
Nice and docile.
He catches my gaze and winks.
Motherfucker.
All those sensual words and toe-curling kisses were just a ploy to get me out of my head?
I bite down on my smile.
Well played, Leonid Strakh.
8
Frankie
—
As it turns out, I didn’t need to grab clothes from Monty’s room.
Standing in the largest of the two guest bedrooms, Kody and I stare at the walk-in closet in disbelief. Clothes for every season fill the huge space, with two sections for the guys and one dedicated to me.