Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Gazing down at the koi gliding through their sculpted aquatic haven, I couldn’t help but envy the simplicity of their existence. If only my greatest concern was swimming in circles until someone offered me food. It was a sad contrast to the complexity of my own existence, which seemed to have been reduced to a tapestry woven with threads of grief and anger. So immersed in my head, I sensed his approach too late, the silent footsteps behind me barely registering in my distracted mind.
"Some people have a complete disregard for respect, don't they?"
I spun around to face him and instinctively stepped back—a terrible move on my end. Fuck. First at the cemetery and now here? I was the very last person this man should’ve been paying attention to. Worse, I couldn’t just walk away from him, which left me no choice but to remain where I was. I kept my posture straight, refusing to let his towering frame completely overshadow mine.
I’d seen him maybe once or twice before, years ago when I was just a girl and had my father as a barrier between us. Now that I was seeing him again—older and a little wiser—I had a better understanding of why women were drawn to him. His hair, the color of onyx, fell just right, managing to appear both meticulously arranged and effortlessly elegant. His suit had been tailored to accentuate every line and curve of his form.
My eyes traced the outline of an expensive watch circling a wrist that led to hands of noticeable largeness. A hint of ink trailed from under his cuffs, etched into his deep golden skin. The angular cut of his jaw could have graced any high-end ad, sharp and edged with precision, shadowed by a trim of stubble. Yet, unlike the polished models of glossy commercials, he radiated an unrefined, raw aura of masculinity.
He was undeniably gorgeous, but his beauty was more aligned with that of a predator, something to admire from afar but never approach. Well, unless you were one of the women who naively believed they could be an exception or that a man like him would ever be tamed. He regarded me with a slight smile playing on his full lips, but his light-colored eyes conveyed no specific emotion.
They had a cryptic depth, their hue reminiscent of honey encased within crystalline spheres, giving him an air of being otherworldly. My mute contemplation prompted him to lead the conversation.
“Don’t take it personally. Katie’s been an embarrassment for far longer than she should’ve been. I’ll handle it.”
So, he saw that. Or more likely, he heard me when I saw little-miss-cokehead getting her fix in the bathroom. A heavy pause lingered between us. His knowing that girl’s name was no surprise. What caught me off guard was him alluding to the fact that he had been watching me and the offer he’d just made.
“By handle it you mean..?”
"I'll take care of her," he reiterated, his tone retaining an unsettling calmness.
I hesitated, unsure of how to flat-out reject his offer. Finally, I managed to say, "No, it’--please don’t do that."
He studied me, his expression remaining inscrutable. "Your morality is endearing," he replied cryptically, his undertone of amusement leaving me with a sense of unease.
I really didn’t want to talk to him, but more than that I needed to change the subject. "Why are you here?" I asked, my voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
His mouth curled into a faint, enigmatic smile. "I’m actually on my way out. I was making sure you were alright." Each syllable was shaped by a refined accent that danced gracefully around his words.
Checking on me? That made no sense. Given his reputation, genuine concern seemed highly unlikely.
I edged back subtly, my arms folding defensively across my chest. Maintaining my composure was a battle of wills as he continued to scrutinize me with piercing focus. The sunglasses were my only shield and the only thing giving me the courage to meet his gaze squarely. A sidelong glance revealed a figure blocking the patio doors, a clear barrier to any potential interruptions from inside.
That didn't seem coincidental.
With a swallow, I refocused on the man before me, whose allure was matched only by the sense of peril he emanated.
“You have no reason to be afraid. I didn’t go out of my way to hurt you,” he assured me before my brain could start sprouting ideas.
“So, you really came all the way back here to check on me?” I questioned, hedging on the side of caution.
“That, and I wanted to be the first to welcome you back to the city. Has anyone else done so?”
“No…you’re the first.”
“Good. I would be disappointed if someone disregarded my warning.”
“What?” I blinked; certain I’d just misheard him. “What warning?”
He grinned down at me, revealing deep dimples in the center of his cheeks. Without answering, he took hold of my hand and brought it to his sensual lips, pressing a feather-light kiss to the back. Had he been anyone else, the move would have been over the top and a major ick, but the look in his eyes had my entire body flushing despite my reservations.