Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 52277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
He held himself within her and lifted her chin with his fingers until she had no choice but to stare up at him. "I want you to move in here with me. I want you to give up your apartment." The tone of seduction left his voice, his words becoming inflexible in his demand.
As she stared up at him, a current of both pleasure and panic slid through her system. She remained silent, and he continued, "When I get home from work, I want you to be here. I want you to sleep in my bed every night without question. I want to know where you are and that you're safe when I'm not with you."
With his words, his strokes became stronger, more determined, and full-blown arousal came roaring back. His fingers left her chin and together, they looked down at where they were joined. The sight was more than erotic; it was profoundly sexual and within mere minutes, they were exploding in each other's arms as the wave crashed over them both.
In the next moments, he'd carefully released her and balanced her on her feet. He'd led her to the bathroom where he'd cleaned her up gently and patiently. When she'd climbed into bed on legs that trembled, he'd followed her there and had taken her into his arms.
She was lying on her back and he turned to face her. Propping himself up on an elbow, he leaned over her. "I want an answer."
Torn by conflicting feelings, she tried to answer him, "I don't know. It's a lot to think about."
"No, it's not. It's simple . . . nothing to think about," he shot back, determination lacing his words.
Angie held onto her resolve by thinking of the logistics. "The salon is so far away from here."
His eyes glittered but he remained silent. Watching him, it hit her all at once and she blurted out, "You want me to quit my job."
He inclined his head but said nothing, only continued to watch her with his hawk-like eyes.
"I don't know if I can get another one around here," she replied, knowing damn good and well she was feeling him out, trying to get inside his head to find out what he was thinking.
His eyes narrowed and he began shaking his head, slowly, back and forth.
"I have to work," she said, half-panicked.
He continued to shake his head.
Deep. This shit was getting deep. "I don't have any money. I mean, not enough--"
"You don't need any money, Angie. You don't need anything." His words were firm, ringing with conviction.
She took a stabilizing breath, forcing herself to calm down. "You want to support me?"
"Yes," he replied unequivocally.
"Why?" She couldn't get too excited here. She knew him. This would be nothing more than a convenience for him. It wasn't as if he wanted marriage. He wanted convenience and she needed to remember that.
"Because I want you here," he said tonelessly, as if he was tired of the debate and didn't want her to question him further.
She remained quiet for a moment. "I'll have to think about it."
His eyes had narrowed as if pissed or displeased. He'd rolled over, switched off the lamp and Angie had tossed and turned and had gotten very little sleep at all.
****
When her cell phone rang, Angie came back to reality. It was Damian's mother, and she slid the bar to answer. She saw the time and knew he'd be boarding a plane for New York about now. They hadn't resolved anything between them last night.
"Hello," she announced, putting the phone between her shoulder and her ear as she used the opportunity to tidy up her station.
"Hi, darling. How are you?"
Guilt rushed through her. She was beside herself . . . trying to figure out if she should move in with this woman's son. "I'm great," she lied. "And you?"
"Very well. The romance thrives," the older woman said with a hint of humor.
"That is great, then."
"Yes, it is. Listen darling, I'm having a little get together Saturday night and I really, really want you to stop by after you get off work if you can. It's nothing formal . . . not a sit-down meal. Just drinks and finger foods."
A tiny trickle of unease slid down Angie's spine. Damian wouldn't be there but that shouldn't matter. In fact it should be easier as he still didn't want his mother to know about their relationship.
And besides, Angie liked his mother and was pleased that the older woman seemed to care for her as well. "Sounds fun. Should I bring anything?"
"Not a thing. Now I want to warn you that Damian won't be coming. I don't know if you've spoken to him, but he'll be out of town."
Guilt. Guilt. Guilt. She remained silent and after an abbreviated pause, Mrs. Rule continued, "Anyway, Rick wants to be introduced to a few of my favorite people, and you're on the list, darling. But not only that, he knows you as well so it would be nice for him to see a familiar face, don't you think?"