Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
He tipped his head, his thumb rubbing absently along my inner thigh. “And what made you move here, of all places?”
I shrugged and replied honestly. “Both Valerie and I needed a change.” An understatement considering what we’d left behind. A mother who’d been murdered at the hands of our father, and our father in prison serving a life sentence for the crime. Not the kind of sordid background I wanted to share with a man like Caleb. And there was no reason to, considering this was just one night together.
I gave him a smile. “New York City seemed exciting and filled with possibilities.”
He chuckled. “So people say. And your parents? They still live there?”
I paused, then decided to reframe the truth. “Unfortunately, they’re both gone,” I said, which was honestly my reality. My father, to me, was as good as dead.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied, compassion in his tone.
“Thank you,” I murmured, not sure what else to say, but was saved by making further conversation about my parents as the SUV turned, then circled into a valet area under a building.
“Here you are, sir,” his driver announced.
“Thank you, Dylan,” Caleb said as he unbuckled his seat belt, then reached over to my far hip and unclasped mine, bringing our faces close together. “Are you good?” he asked me.
I appreciated his concern, and I knew his question left the door open for me to change my mind about spending the night, but an evening of mindless pleasure was exactly what I wanted, and needed.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I said, and smiled. “So long as you promise to make me feel good.”
He grinned. “No worries about that, sweetheart,” he said in deep, husky tones that made me shiver in anticipation. “I’m going to redefine the words ‘feel good’ for you all night long.”
I laughed flirtatiously, ready to enjoy whatever this man wanted to do with and to me. “Then what are we waiting for?”
We got out of the car, and Caleb slipped his hand in mine as we walked into the lobby of the upscale complex. I immediately felt out of my element surrounded by such opulence, and there was no missing the speculative glances of a few women we passed that eyed me like they knew I was an imposter. My face flushed, because I was well aware that I was no match for their sophistication, or the flashy, designer handbags and clothes they wore compared to my polyester dress and worn heels—and they knew it, too. Hell, they probably thought I was a call girl because it was clear I did not belong in this part of the city.
Caleb either didn’t notice the stares, or didn’t care as he greeted the man at the front desk we passed on our way to the elevator. Once we stepped into the lift and he swiped a key card, the door shut and the smooth ride upward began.
He turned toward me, his perceptive gaze taking in my features and clearly seeing my unease. “Are you okay?”
“I’m just a little overwhelmed by…everything,” I said, sweeping a hand around us to indicate the interior of the elevator, which was just as posh as the rest of the building with a marbled floor, the walls in a rich, polished wood, and gold accents that gleamed. “And a little intimidated, if I’m being honest.”
“You have no reason to be either.” He stepped closer and framed my face in his hands, a sinful smile tipping up the corners of his mouth. “But clearly, you need a distraction because I want your mind thinking about only one thing. Tonight is about me and you and nothing else.”
His mouth descended on mine, and seconds later I was lost in his quick and dirty kiss that erased everything from my head but the taste and feel of his body against mine, and the effortless way he made me forget everything but him. His tongue delved deep, his teeth grazed along my lower lip, then gently bit, drawing a moan from deep in my throat. By the time the doors slid open and he lifted his mouth from mine, I was dizzy, thoroughly aroused, and clinging to him.
Satisfaction etched his features. “Perfect,” he murmured, then grabbed my hand once more and led me out of the elevator.
I expected a hallway that would lead to his apartment door, but we walked directly into his luxurious penthouse. The place was like a damn palace. A foyer led to an open-concept area with high ceilings, a spacious living room, and a kitchen off to the side. As we entered, a lamp automatically flicked on, a soft glow of light revealing an interior that was decorated in navy blue and cream colors and accented in gold. For a man who had a six-year-old son, the place was immaculate.