Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“You didn’t know the tide would come in?” He gave me a quizzical look.
“Well, I did. But I’ve never experienced it. I didn’t even think about the way the tide would come in or when it would happen. Or even what it actually meant.” I slumped my shoulders because I felt stupid. “It was an abstract thing with no context, I guess.”
“I can see that. You ever been to an ocean before?”
“No.” I felt defeated. I knew he was out of my league before, but this was one more thing to prove how inadequate a choice I was for a wife. No wonder the man didn’t want me. It wasn’t that I’d manipulated him -- or his mother had. It was so much life experience I didn’t have. Things I didn’t know and couldn’t understand. Why would any man want a wife like me?
“I guess that makes it my job to look out for you. Seems like you were having a good time.”
“I am. I love being in the sun, even though I burn. It’s much better when there’s water around.”
“Well, this is the best swimming pool in the world. You have to be careful, and never swim alone.”
“Oh, I can’t swim. That’s why I never got deeper than my knees.” I tried to smile as I looked up at him.
He brought his full attention back to me. “You can’t swim? Why didn’t you say something?” Immediately, he lifted me, urging me to put my legs around his waist. At first, I was hesitant, but every time I dropped a leg, he’d use one hand to pull my thigh higher. Slowly, he made his way out of the deeper water into the shallower waves. When the water edged below my thighs, I dropped them, settling my feet on the sandy bottom. Warlock growled as he frowned down at me.
“You can’t carry me out of the water like that. Someone might see!”
“Do you see anyone around here, girl?” He gave me an exasperated look.
“Well, no. But you never know!”
“This is a private beach, honey. Black Reign owns this stretch.”
“But the gate was open.”
“Don’t matter. Everyone around here knows this is Reign’s beach, and they respect it.”
“I see.” I really didn’t. But then, if they had a bad reputation, maybe that was why people stayed away. He led me back to the chairs before snagging my shirt and putting it over my head.
“You’re sunburned.”
I shrugged. “Small price to pay. Won’t be the first time. Doubt it will be the last.” He shook his head like I was nuts before helping me into my shorts.
We walked back to the clubhouse in silence. Warlock didn’t let go of my hand once. He left the chairs, saying someone would probably use them the next day. If not, he’d send a prospect to collect them. I tried to tug free a couple of times, but he ignored me and tightened his grip.
When we reached the door to my room, I expected he’d leave me there alone. Instead, he opened the door and ushered me inside. The second the door was closed, he pulled me back into his arms, burying his nose in my neck and inhaling deeply. I could feel his hard length poking my belly, and I froze.
“Warlock?”
“You smell like fuckin’ sunshine and the open sea.”
Instantly, my knees gave way, and I clung to his broad shoulders. “Oh, God!”
“Can’t help it.” His hands slid under my shirt, his big palms spreading wide to take in as much of my back as he could. “Knew you were trouble the second I laid eyes on you.” When I looked up at him, he lowered his face to mine and kissed me.
If I died right this second, I wouldn’t be able to regret it. I’d never been kissed before. Never been touched by a guy for any affectionate reason. The group homes I lived in separated the boys and girls, only bringing them together for meals, school, and church. I was different from most of the other kids in that they either had homes they were going back to at some point or had a high probability of being adopted or fostered out. I’d never had a home and never expected to have one after living with the Sisters my entire life. The group home was the only home I’d ever known.
Until Mrs. Wagner put the idea of me marrying her son in my head, I’d never really thought about a relationship or a family other than in the abstract. This was something similar to my surprise with the ocean. I knew a physical display of affection was involved in a relationship, but I’d never experienced it or witnessed it. It would have been overwhelming no matter what, but Warlock’s kisses and touches seemed to ignite something inside me I never knew existed.