Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“Or is that the other way around?” I laugh.
“Probably a little bit of both,” he says, with a wink, before adding, “Are you still coming over for dinner Friday?”
“Yeah, and I’m bringing cookies.”
“Those big ones with the chocolate and coconut?”
“Cowboy cookies,” I laugh. “Yeah, those.”
“Hot damn,” he says, rubbing his hands together.
I shake my head as he walks off. I open my door as I look up at Blade. “It was nice meeting you,” I whisper, feeling a little strange because he’s still here. I’m used to Bear. I feel safe with him. Blade is different. I really like him, but he’s an unknown. That makes me nervous—especially since we’re alone.
“It was really good meeting you, too, little one.”
“I’m not that little,” I laugh. He’s called me that several times tonight. Oddly enough, I kind of like it—which worries me.
“You are compared to me,” he responds at once. There’s not much I can argue about there—he’s huge. Deliciously so.
“I guess you have me there. I better get going. I need to check on my father.”
“Is he sick?”
“Yeah. He has a muscle disease, which makes it difficult for him to walk and do things.”
His hand moves along the side of my face, his thumb brushes along the side of my face. “You’re a remarkable woman, Olivia Davis.”
I can feel tears stinging my eyes. No one, but my dad ever came close to saying something like that to me. I even felt that Blade truly meant it, too. He didn’t seem to just be feeding me a line either. I swallow nervously, trying to control my heart—which is trying to beat out of my chest. “I’m just me,” I breathe.
“Well, I really like you. Can I see you again?”
“I … Can I think about it?” I ask, stupidly. The truth is I want to see him again, but it’s not smart to have anyone in my life. In fact, it’s downright dangerous. I don’t need to do anything that will draw attention from my brother. I’m only free of him right now because I’m taking care of our father. I’ve also heard he has his hands full with his club. I don’t know the particulars. I don’t want to know them. I would move out of the country to get away from Doyle if I could. I’ve thought hard about it. My dad even encouraged me to do the same. I just couldn’t bring myself to leave him. Dad is innocent in all of this, and he needs someone to look out for him. I love him and I couldn’t live with myself if I just abandoned him.
“Think about it?” he asks, his left eyebrow cocking up on a high arch as shock and then humor floods his face. “That’s a first for me, I think. I ask a beautiful woman out, tell her that I really like her, and she wants to think about seeing me again.”
“I—”
“You know, some women think I’m a good catch. Hell, most women actually.”
“Blade—”
“Although, if you were most women, I probably wouldn’t be interested.”
“Blade.”
“You think about it, Livy.”
“Okay,” I whisper, confused but happy he wasn’t just dismissing me.
“But if you’re going to make me wait, then I’m going to give you something to think about.”
“Wha—”
Before I can finish my question, his lips are on mine and the world seems to fade away. His lips were softer than I expected, warm, spicy and full of hunger. Hunger for me. That was a unique feeling. I brought my hands up and they found a home on his chest. I didn’t push him away, though. My fingers clenched, wrinkling his shirt against my skin and I held on for dear life. I was losing myself in the taste of him. It was dark, wicked and made me feel alive more than anything or anyone ever has. His breath is hot and demanding as his tongue slides against mine. I may have had some kisses before, but none of them have been like this. None made my body feel as if it was on fire. I moan from just that simple contact, following his lead as the kiss deepens. I follow his lead as our tongues continue to dance together.
Blade’s arms go around me as he pulls me against his body. It’s a rough move that makes me cry out. He swallows down the sound, while I fight to keep memories from my past from taking over. When I feel his fingers through the fabric of my dress, as he brushes them against my breast, my entire body tenses up, going solid against him. My hands—once holding on for the ride—now press against him. I need air. I need space. I can feel panic gathering deep inside trying to find the light of day. I fight against it.
“It’s okay, little one. I just wanted you to know what we could create together. I want you, Livy. I think the two of us together would be damn good. I warn you right now, I’ll use whatever is in my power to keep you from walking away.”