Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
If he took her reply cynically, she absolutely looked like a whore willing to spread her legs for Ramos’s favor. But if he looked it like a man she cared for, she had done everything in her power to protect him—even if it cost her.
“Why?” he blurted. “Why would you sacrifice yourself for me?”
“If I tell you, what will you do with the knowledge?”
He vaulted off the stool and took her face in his hands. “This isn’t a negotiation. Answer the goddamn question.”
“Or you will toy with my body again until I am on fire, at the edge of bearing this horrible need?”
“If I have to.”
She swallowed and looked away.
Trees’s heart leapt into his throat as he jerked her stare back to his. “Why, Laila? How do you feel about me?”
“I cannot fight you. I do not know why I tried.” Her chin trembled as she fought more tears. “I love you.”
Those three words blew him away. He sucked in a shocked breath. His heart turned over. He stepped back and stared at her as he tried to process her admission. Was it true? Or was she merely telling him what she thought he wanted to hear?
Trees didn’t know. And he wouldn’t until he got distance from her naked body, his desire cooled, and he had the opportunity to think.
Fuck.
Without a word, he rounded the table and laid it flat again.
“What are you doing?” She sounded scared.
He didn’t answer. What the hell could he say? Instead, he uncuffed her ankles, then her wrists, and helped her to her feet. Immediately, her trembling legs folded beneath her, and she swayed into him, all but melting against his side. He caught her, wrapping his arms around her for support.
“Trees.” She clung to him—with her hands, her eyes, her expression.
It took everything he had not to carry her to his bedroom, lay her reverently across his bed, and make love to her until dawn. She’d proven she could be wily and dangerous. She knew how to work men. The Edgingtons had Kimber back mostly unscathed, but that hardly meant the danger was over. Now both Montilla and Ramos would come after them. He didn’t dare let himself be drawn in by a potentially pretty viper until he’d had the opportunity to think this through. Until he figured her out.
“Stay here. There are water bottles in the refrigerator. Drink one. There are protein bars in the basket on the counter. Eat one. Don’t argue. Don’t touch your pussy or get yourself off. And don’t get dressed. If you’re cold, there are blankets in the cabinet along the far wall. I’ll be back.”
When he stepped toward the stairs, she gripped him tighter. “Do not leave me. Please.”
She hadn’t asked where are you going? or what are you doing? She’d just spilled a seemingly heartfelt plea at him not to walk away.
Her words broke him. It made him a stupid sucker, but Trees just didn’t care right now. He couldn’t fucking stand the distance between them anymore.
He picked her up, settled her back against the nearest wall, then crowded her personal space as he bent his head and seized her mouth. For a handful of forbidden seconds, he let hope control him. He let his hunger rage. He let his need for her boil over into a love that scalded his veins and burned away all good sense.
He delved into her mouth, pressing himself against her until there was no air between them. He forced her lips wider and took her tongue. Laila responded unabashedly, opening herself, giving her all to him. She clawed at his shoulders, clung and climbed him, lifting her legs to wrap them around his hips. He helped, taking her ass in his hands and tilting her up. She rocked frantically and feverishly against him.
When he wedged her against the wall with the ridge of his hard cock, rocking against her, she keened. He wanted her. He burned for her. He was sweating for her as he forced himself deeper into her kiss, not giving a fuck if he ever came up for air again.
What if she’s playing you, too?
As much as Trees hated that voice, it was rational. He couldn’t keep recklessly falling into Laila without self-destructing, so if he had any intention of saving himself and figuring out what the hell was going on, he had to break away from her now.
Tearing his mouth free, he released her and stepped back, his panting breaths harsh. He swiped a hand down his face, pausing to palm her taste from his lips, trying not to give in to his need for Laila’s sweetness again. “I won’t be long.”
Terror crossed her face. “You will not leave me in the dark, will you?”
He softened. “No. I know you’re afraid. I would never intentionally scare you.”