Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
He kept me on his lap, my head resting on his shoulder. It had gone from a highly erotic encounter, to one that was sweet, comforting even. He stroked his hand up and down my thigh, his other palm resting on my lower back, keeping me comfortable and stable as I sat on him. And even though I’d been relaxed, that post-euphoric haze covering me, I was still so aroused I could barely catch my breath.
I knew why we were going back to his place, and I anticipated it like nothing ever before.
But here we were now, making our way to the underground stainless steel, polished elevator, my ballet flats soundless against the smoothed concrete, my pulse already racing for what was to come.
Once inside, I found myself pressed against the opposite wall from Logan, my nerves suddenly rising up. He reached out and slid a plastic keycard along the console on the elevator wall, causing the doors to slide shut, closing us in. I swore I instantly felt how hot the interior became. I chanced a glance in his direction, because I felt him watching me and saw he had this hooded expression on his face. The desire he had for me was so damn clear I felt it skate along my bare arms.
I licked my lips, knowing I should say something, but nothing came out.
He moved closer and placed his hands on the banister on either side of me. I was caged in in the best of ways. Logan said nothing as he glanced down at my lips. “I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want you,” he murmured, almost sounding like he meant to keep that to himself. “But there’s something unique about you, something that draws me in, pulls me closer.”
I was breathing so hard I felt lightheaded.
“You stood out at that charity event.” He looked up at my eyes then. I got lost in the color. “I instantly grew addicted, Beatrix. I knew I had to have you all to myself.”
“Logan,” I whispered his name, unsure what I was going to say. I couldn’t help but wonder how a man like Logan, so wealthy, so successful, and someone who could get any woman he wanted, would desire me so much. “I’m so plain, nothing at all special about me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, and I realized I said that last part out loud. “You are so special, Beatrix. You are so… perfect.” He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. When he opened his eyes, I felt this shockwave move through me. There was no doubt in my mind he meant every word he said. “I’m not a man who begs, Beatrix. I get what I want no matter what. It’s handed to me on a silver fucking platter.” The way he said the latter was laced with disgust.
He lifted a hand and cupped my cheek, and I felt myself lean into his touch, absorbing the fact that this virtual stranger was showing me such gentleness, saying things I never imagined a man would say to me. And I could look into his face and know he told the truth, that he actually felt and believed the things he said to me.
He reached out and touched something—a button that had the elevator coming to a stop.
“Wha—”
“Tell me these feelings aren’t one-sided, Beatrix. Tell me I’m not completely projecting my feelings I have for you, seeing what’s not really there.” He stared into my eyes, and there was this pleading note in his gaze and in his touch.
The scent of his cologne, woodsy and masculine, filled my nose, made me feel drunk, intoxicated, and it had nothing to do with the wine I consumed at dinner.
“Tell me this feels right, that being together feels like it’s what’s been missing in our lives.”
“Yes,” I whispered. “And that scares the hell out of me, Logan.”
He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine. In this moment, it wasn’t about sex or the prospect of it. Right now, as he pulled me into the hardness of his chest, I felt my world fall into place.
It was so sudden, insane, and didn’t seem plausible, but here we were.
When you’re afraid, it’s how you know it’s real, that life is real.” I knew he spoke to himself, but his words rang so true. He rubbed his thumb along my cheek, and my heart started beating faster, the arousal that had just taken a backseat to this intimate moment rising up and making itself known once more.
Something in me snapped, tore away from me so it no longer covered me, no longer laced my very existence. I reached up and held onto him, feeling him wrap his hand around the back of my neck and using his other hand to slide down to land at the small of my back. He held me, curled his fingers into my body as if he were afraid I’d leave.