Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Before I realize where I’m headed I’m on the beach. The moon is sitting over the water and the light spreads across the beach. I close my eyes and suck in a deep breath as I try to get my breathing and emotions under control. I reach up and touch my mouth and I’m shocked as flashes of the kiss enter my mind. I never would have guessed X to taste sweet. He kissed me as though he wanted to own me. But even with all the possession and need he poured into the kiss I could tell he was holding something back. I have no idea what it might be, but it’s probably the fact that he doesn't really like that he’s attracted to me. It’s driving him nuts and this must be what people call “hate fucking.” He probably wants to work me out of his system.
If Elise hadn't shown up I might have let him take me to the floor on the pantry and have his way with me. The throb between my legs comes back and I can only imagine how good it could have been. I can’t spend my whole life a virgin, and who knows how long my life will be at this point? I’m not sure which would hurt worse, though, falling for X or never having a piece of him. He will break what’s left of my heart since my mom took a part of it with her when she left this earth. Now my asshole father has the rest of it in his hands. I’ve been left in a state of purgatory that I can never move on from.
I reach my hand up to wipe away the tears that always come when I think of my mom. I’m a world away from my father and he’s still controlling my life.
“You don’t want X,” I lie to myself, but it felt so much more believable before he kissed me. I’ve never felt anything as powerful in my life. I swear it was so deep it touched my soul. Things could be so different if I wasn't his daughter. Then again, I might not be on this island if it wasn’t for him. I’m not sure if I would have taken Kade’s offer with more of a level head and without the threat of my father looming over me. Honestly I think X can tell something is off with me. He doesn't know what it is but something is telling him I’m wrong. I think that inner voice is what’s making his attraction to me so upsetting.
I think of all the rude things he’s said to me as I head back towards my room. I can’t hide out on the beach forever. If he’s looking for me it won't take him long to find me even out on the beach. When I think of all the times he was a jerk I smile at how much I enjoyed giving it back to him. Was this our weird way of flirting with one another and today was the breaking point?
I enter the back of the house trying to sneak in without being noticed. Elise looks up from the kitchen counter, giving me a knowing smile. “He’s not in the pantry.” I can tell she’s fighting a laugh.
“Sorry.” I start to move toward the pantry, knowing we left a mess in there. I don’t want her to clean up after me and I work here too. “I’ll clean it up.” I’m not sure what we knocked over but I recall quite a few spills.
“He cleaned it,” she says and I stop.
“Oh.” I look around.
“He headed that way.” She points down the hallway and I guess he must have gone home. “Can I make you something to eat?”
“No thank you.” My hunger has disappeared and in its place is a gigantic knot. Am I upset that he hasn't chased me?
Elise nods and goes back to wiping down the counter. I make my way to the stairs thinking it’s too early to turn in. I could put my pajamas on and read for a bit. Maybe my hunger will come back and I’ll sneak into the kitchen later for a snack.
I stop when I reach the top of the stairs and I see Xander sitting in front of my door. He looks up when he hears me and his eyes lock on mine.
“What are you doing?” I take a step back down the stairs as my pulse spikes.
“Come away from the stairs before you give me a heart attack. It's not as though you can run this time.” He stands up and his big frame fills up all the space. “I’ll catch you.”
“I wasn't going to run,” I blurt out. Actually I have no idea what I was going to do. I’m trying to put distance between us, but there’s no room. He bends down and picks something up.