Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
“It’s nothing, really,” Miles says again.
“Miles.” Tristan turns to him, not aggressively, but with an air about him that gets my heart pumping. Maybe it calls to that cliched part of me that wants a man, perhaps even my man, to protect me. Keep me safe. “Let her talk.”
Miles looks terrified for a second, though, on the surface, Tristan is calm. Maybe it’s the size difference. Tristan towers over everybody.
“I just told Miles I’m not a touchy person. He said he was cool with it. It’s okay, Mr. Greene.”
I can play the keep-it-official game, too, if that’s what he wants to do.
Tristan scowls at Miles. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
A shimmer moves through me when his tone gets all fierce. I try not to let my mind go there. Maybe it’s those drugs wearing off. The medic was the one person there who seemed qualified, and she said it was most likely Scopolamine, also known as the Devil’s Breath. He could’ve just spilled powder on my arm or neck or stung me with a needle without me even knowing.
“Maya, my office.”
Tristan turns, leaving me no choice but to follow. Not that there’s anywhere else I’d rather go.
I follow him up the stairs, looking at his broad back, the suit jacket stretching tight. I’m tempted to make a joke or a lighthearted comment about it, but he seems different from last night. Maybe the Devil’s Breath made me see things that weren’t there: little looks, smirks, and private moments I thought we were sharing. Perhaps he wished he’d asked somebody else to give me a ride home last night.
In his office, he turns, leaning against his desk.
“Should I close the door?”
“It’s up to you,” he says coldly.
I shut it, but I’m not even sure why. I want something private between us, maybe.
“I have an offer to make you.”
My mind shudders, and I imagine him saying, “I want you to be my girl. I want you to come here now and trail your hands all over my body, feeling the hot muscles you saw last night, the muscles that felt like they were burning as you pulsed with the Devil’s Breath.”
“Huh?” I ask, struggling to stay focused.
His eyes glint with a smirk hinting at his lips. He’s trying to keep his distance but knows how difficult it is … for both of us. “I need you to work from home for a week or two. We’ve got a few dogs that need a place to stay.”
“What, really?” I say, shocked and not believing him. It’s too good to be true. I’ll be able to take care of Mom at the same time.
“Loki and Luna to start.”
“Luna the wiener?” I grin.
“All that crap … and you’re still able to get excited? You’re a wonder, Maya.”
“I thought we were pretending that never happened? That I didn’t see what I saw …”
He walks right up to me, bringing his cologne, or maybe it’s just him. Whatever it is, I feel the scent wrapping around me and flowing through me. I’ve never felt raw attraction like this. My lips tingle, my face, my thighs buzzing, teasing.
“Why are you doing this?” I whisper. “You don’t have to tell me. But you’re paying me to stay home and care for my mom. Why would you do that?”
He moves even closer. He’s shuddering all over slightly, like the start of an eruption. My skin feels like every inch is ablaze.
“Some people deserve a break,” he says.
I should leave it there. It’s too good to be true for sure, but at least I get to be with Mom for a while. Yet something in me refuses to let it go. “Is that the only reason?”
“What do you want me to say?” he growls, and suddenly, his hand is on mine. He holds me tightly, with so much warmth, pure fire blazing through his palm and into me. “I’m doing it because you, Maya, you …” He pauses. “You deserve it.”
I tighten my hand on his. I can’t deal with this right now. It’s all moving too fast, but when he leans down, I step forward. I just want a few moments of happiness, and this man brings me that over and over—small glimpses of what it would be like to live unafraid.
“Oh, fuck,” he groans just before our lips touch.
I know exactly what he means, what he’s thinking. It’s like we can’t stop. Our bodies are too hot. He presses against me, sliding his hands down to my hips, squeezing in a way that has me buzzing with even more certainty, more heat.
Maybe after this, I’ll wonder and fret, but for now, I sink against him, moaning between our tightly pressed lips when he lifts me off my feet and casually carries me to the desk. He puts me down, leaning against me, letting me feel his hard rod pushing through his pants.