Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Fuck, she’s incredible. I can’t believe I get to keep her. She tucks her hair behind her ear and gives me this look—a little wicked, a little curious, like she’s about to dig for buried treasure. “So, confession,” she murmurs, voice soft. “I read your bio on The Mercer Group’s website, and Mrs. Winters told me what she knows about you. But I want to know the real stuff.”
I nearly choke on my wine. Damn, she’s perfect. “You want the truth?” I lean in, letting my fingers trace the rim of her glass, just so I don’t wind them in her hair and drag her straight into my lap. “I’m a control freak. I don’t sleep much. I hate being bored. My childhood sucked. I built everything from nothing, and I don’t trust easily.” I let her see it—the hunger, the need, the ugly bits most people would run from. “But the moment I met you, I felt a connection I’ve never felt before. I built my business on listening to my instincts, and everything in me screams that you’re the one thing I need.” She just looks at me, blue eyes wide, seeing the truth of my words.
She looks at me for a long moment, then her lips part on a shaky breath. “You’re kind of intense, you know that?” Her cheeks go bright pink, but she doesn’t flinch. She tilts her chin up, still meeting my gaze. “But I think I like it.”
Fucking hell. I can’t believe my luck.
I crowd her a little closer, so she has to look up at me. “You should get used to it, baby. I don’t do things halfway.” I let my fingers brush hers on the marble counter, the heat between us sparking again. “If I want something, I make damn sure I get it. And right now, all I want is you.”
Alice lets out a nervous laugh, but there’s nothing scared about the way she watches me. Her hands are shaking, but she’s defiant as ever, stubborn chin and all. “That just means you’re going to have to work for it.” She levels me with that sassy little glare, and I swear my cock goes diamond hard. God, she has no idea what she’s in for.
I crowd her up against the edge of the counter, staring her down until her breath starts to hitch. “Baby, you have no idea how hard I’m willing to work if it means I end up with you.” My voice is a low growl as I slide my hand over hers, pinning her tiny fingers to the cold marble.
Her lips part, cheeks flushing, but she doesn’t back down. Not for a second. “I appreciate your efforts so far,” she manages, but her voice is trembling. “But the night’s still young.”
Fuck, I love this woman. I want to eat her alive.
CHAPTER NINE
GABRIEL
After a while, she leans back, fork spinning between her fingers. “That was amazing. I’m so stuffed, I’m not sure I can move.”
“Glad you liked it,” I say, and immediately start clearing plates. She tries to help, but I wave her off. “Sit. I’ve got this.”
But she’s stubborn. She hops off the stool and grabs the stack of plates, brushing past me. Her hip grazes mine, and my brain fucking shorts out. I freeze, hands sudsy, staring at her like a complete idiot.
She winks at me, and I know she’s doing that shit on purpose. “Didn’t peg you as the type to do dishes.”
“I’m full of surprises,” I say, but my voice comes out rough. She’s close enough to kiss, and I almost do, but she pivots to load the dishwasher, and the moment passes.
When we finish, she leans back against the counter, drying her hands.
“Come on,” I say, offering my hand. “I want to show you something.”
She slips her hand in mine and lets me lead her down the hall to the living room. The city lights glitter through the glass, but the main attraction is the one-hundred-two-inch TV mounted on the far wall, glowing like the moon.
“That’s the biggest TV I’ve ever seen,” she says, eyes going wide.
“I bought it for you,” I deadpan. “I thought you’d appreciate watching Traitors on the big screen.”
She laughs so hard she snorts. “You might regret that when I show up every night wanting to watch your fancy new TV.”
I love how she isn’t fazed by my intensity. I love that she calls me out every time. “I’m counting on you being here with me every goddamn night.” She rolls her eyes, but she’s fighting a smile. Smartass. I want to grab her and haul her against my chest, but I keep my composure. Barely.
“That’s a dangerous promise,” she says, voice all flirty with a hint of challenge. “You sure you can handle me every night?”
Fuck. I want to handle her every damn night and twice on Sunday. I let my eyes drag down her body, slow and deliberate. She shivers, even though she tries to play it cool.