Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“Where are you going? I told you . . . we’re stuck.”
I turn slowly, back pressing against the door.
Calm down, Raven.
No such luck. Fear has me in its clutches and has effectively cut off my air supply. I’m not sure if it’s the man’s proximity or my slight claustrophobia kicking in, but I’m losing my cool.
My hands ball into fists, and my eyes slam shut as I work on my breathing.
The chair screeches across the tile floor as it sounds like the man stands.
Here I am, alone in this tight space, with a guy I haven’t even seen. What if he hurts me? What if I’m left for dead? Body convulsing and breathing ragged, I try my best to calm myself, but it’s no use.
The man comes closer until his body is practically hovering over me.
“Damn,” he says into my neck.
“W-What are you doing?”
“Looking for a switch. There has to be—” His words are cut off when a light overhead beams down on us. “There we go.”
My knees give out, and I slump toward the ground, but the stranger manages to catch me under the arms, hauling me up and pressing me against the door.
“Calm down.” One hand continues to hold me up while the other lifts my chin. “Breathe. You’ll be all right.”
His voice is like honey, slipping around me in a cocoon of warmth. My breathing slows, and the panic ebbs.
“Good girl. Keep breathing. In through your nose, out through your mouth. I’ve got you.”
With every passing second, my body relaxes, and he presses into me further.
When I’m completely calm and under control, the nearness of the man becomes more evident. My eyes open, and my breath hitches.
It’s him.
“You,” I say breathily, looking up into the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
He smirks down at me, showcasing two dimples. “Ah, so you were eyeing me up.”
My cheeks heat, and embarrassment builds. “You can let me go now,” I say, meeting his gaze.
“Right, then,” he says, backing up and putting several inches between us.
I straighten my dress and run a hand through my hair, wondering if I look as horrible as I feel.
“You look fine.”
My eyes sweep over his gorgeous face. Chiseled cheeks, strong jaw, straight nose . . . the stuff of gods. My head dips to the ground, feeling entirely off-balance.
“I thought I was going to have to attempt resuscitation in the dark, love. You were quite out of sorts.”
“Raven.”
His eyes narrow in on me.
“My name is Raven. Not love.”
“Raven.” He tests out the name, lips pursing. “Well . . . now that you’ve found me, perhaps we should make the best of this current situation.”
“I wasn’t looking for you. Paxton told me—”
His brows shoot up. “Paxton,” he drawls. “I see my mate’s made good on his promise. I must say, he’s managed to—what is the American saying—hit the ball out of the park this time.”
“What?” I ask, head shaking in confusion.
“Never mind. That doesn’t matter,” he says, taking two steps and invading my space expertly. “I’m just glad you followed his instructions and decided to meet me here after my phone call.”
“Your call?” I ask, completely dumbfounded by what he’s saying.
“You look confused, but if it’s okay, I’d like to kiss you now.”
“I . . . I . . . okay,” I fumble my way through saying. Did this hot as hell guy just ask to kiss me?
His large, solid chest is pressed against mine before I can react further, palm caressing the side of my face. I don’t even know how it happens, but his lips are pressed against mine, and I’m molding to him like it’s the most natural thing I’ve ever done.
My mouth opens to his, allowing his tongue entrance. A whimper escapes me, and he reacts by grabbing my leg with his free hand and lifting it around his hip, pressing his erection into my core.
Even through his pants, I can feel he’s larger than any man I’ve ever been with.
“Oh, God,” I yelp out at the feel of him as his lips begin roving over my neck.
It’s been so long since I’ve kissed a man, let alone whatever this is we’re doing. It feels so good. Too good.
He’s a complete stranger, and I’m in a locked closet, practically thrusting myself against him.
This is wrong.
I have to stop it.
His hand grabs the hem of my dress, gliding it upward, bunching it above my hip, baring my thong-clad ass in the process. When his hand runs over my ass, I about lose my mind.
His touch is lighting a fire in my core that’s never been lit before. The need is excruciating at the moment.
“Tell me you want this.” His British lilt is husky and hot as hell.
“I—”
He runs his finger up the outside of my panties, and I shiver in response. My answering moan fills the small space.