Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
I place my hand into his; it's rough, but when he closes it around mine, the hold is gentle.
“This way.” His hand nudges my hip, causing me to jump, and he releases my hand. “The ladder.” He motions for me to go up first. When I put one of my boots onto the rung of the ladder, it’s then I remember I’m in a skirt.
“I’m in a skirt.” I point it out as if he can’t see that for himself.
“I know.”
“Don’t be a perv.” This might be me being crazy, but I could see a Marino killing me, but I can’t see one being a Peeping Tom.
“It’s safer. If you fall, I’ll catch you.” We have another staring contest. It feels like if I fall to my death, that might be easier for both of us. “Come on, Hellcat. I won’t peek unless you want me to.” My mouth falls open, and I quickly close it.
Right, he's not going to steal a glance at my panties. I'm sure women throw themselves at him. Even if the rumors about him are rather dark compared to the other Marino boys. Some girls eat that shit up, thinking they can fix a man. Hell, I can't even fix myself. No way I’m trying to fix anyone else. You can’t save people that don’t want to be saved, and most don’t want to be. They’d rather that darkness consume all of them.
I place my other foot on the ladder and start to go up. I only make it a couple of steps before my foot slips right off. These combat boots aren't made for this. They are all for show. I catch myself at the same time that Eros catches me, too. His hands slip right up my skirt and cup my ass.
“Oh my God,” I hiss. This is mortifying.
“Only trying to catch you, Hellcat.” His hold tightens a fraction, and then he pulls his hands back slowly, making sure I have my balance again.
Once I get my bearings fully, I move quicker up the ladder until I come to a dead end. I push up on it, but nothing.
"Don't move," Eros orders.
"Yeah, I was going to fly right out." The fuck was I going to move to?! When Eros doesn't respond, I glance down and notice that he is trying to suppress a smirk.
"All right." And then he moves over me. I freeze as his body brushes against mine. His scent surrounds me, and I swear I have to catch myself from leaning back into him more. His hand pushes against the hatch, and it opens easily for him. “Up you go,” he says when I don’t move. Right. I hurry the last few steps out.
“Holy crap.” I push myself to my feet to see that I’m in the middle of the woods. “This is some Texas Chainsaw Massacre shit.” Good thing he decided to let me out of there because there was no way in hell that anyone was going to find me.
“Chainsaws aren’t my style.” Eros drops the hatch back down, spinning a handle thing on the top before grabbing a fake piece of grass to cover it.
I wrap my arms around myself, realizing how messed up this is and the danger I’m in. They had me underground in the middle of nowhere. They could have killed me, and no one would know. It would likely take a few days for anyone to notice I was gone. I’m not sure which one of those is more upsetting.
Binx would notice, but he’s a cat that can’t talk and doesn’t have opposable thumbs. It really puts him at a disadvantage for a rescue mission.
"Are you sure you're not cold?" Eros comes to stand in front of me. I already thought the man was big, but somehow, he appears even bigger now. I shake my head no.
Eros's eyes search my face. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.” His brows lift like he’s surprised by his own words. That makes two of us. There is no way this man thinks I’m beautiful. I’m sure I’m a hot mess, but not only that, I want to be called goth or emo. It’s better if people believe my vibe runs on the darker side.
I'm sure a therapist would have a field day with it. That I use it as a shield. The black nails and heavy eyeliner go with my natural jet-black hair and combat boots. It’s really the only way to express yourself when you have to wear a school uniform every day.
"Are you just going to stare at me? I do have school tomorrow."
"You're not going to school."
"What?"
"Come on." His hand goes to my back, nudging me toward the black SUV. He opens the door for me.
"Not the trunk?"
"No, you'll wear a seat belt. Now, in."
This man is so confusing. His tone is firm, bearing no argument, but there is also this level of care in it. It's messing with my head, but I do as I'm told. I don't want to be left out in the middle of the woods when night is quickly pressing in.