Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Calm the hormones down. You know you would never have your heroine have sex with the hero in the chapter’s first meet.
He remained where he was and watched me with a sensual intensity. “Do you believe that you do not deserve praise?”
I looked down at my rose. “There’s a small part of me that loves it, yet. . .I’ve struggled with self-esteem most of my life, so it feels strange to receive compliments.”
Ethan’s voice was low, but firm. “Then, we will have to change that.”
His promise filled the air with a heavy weight that foretold his determination to see that mission through no matter what it took.
“Ethan, thank you for this captivating rose.”
“You’re welcome.”
The door creaked open.
Two waiters entered. One carried a tray of hors d’oeuvres. The other had a tray of champagne flutes.
But most interesting was their mysterious and elegant appearance, they seemed to belong to a hidden world within this masquerade party.
Long, hooded capes made of a satiny, deep black fabric were draped over their bodies and trailed behind them. A layer of sequins glittered along the edges, each one reflecting light like a tiny, glowing star.
The same glittering gold masks covered the waiters’ faces, leaving only their eyes visible. Intricate designs decorated their masks, with curving lines and elaborate details. Crystals were placed along the edges of the masks’ eye holes in an arc of diamonds.
The two waiters glided inside.
Ethan never glanced their way.
Instead, he watched me.
The waiter with the hors d’oeuvres came close to us and gently left the tray on the desk.
The other walked over and handed me a glass of champagne.
I kept my rose in one hand and held the champagne in the other.
This is going to be a fun night. I can’t believe I didn’t want to come.
Ethan nodded and took his own glass of champagne.
Then, the waiters left.
“Are you a lover of history, Maya?”
“I am.” I studied the bubbles in my flute glass. “I study history with joy. Mainly because history offers a wealth of inspiration and opportunities for my books and can add depth, richness, and authenticity to the stories and characters.”
“Which is why your books always transport me to a different time and place, making the story feel more immersive and evocative.”
I forced myself to not edge away and shriek in giddy embarrassment. It was clear that with him, I would need to truly get used to being lathered in praise.
I cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
He smiled. “That wasn’t a hard compliment to take. Was it?”
I chuckled. “No. It wasn’t.”
Ethan gestured to the diamond rose in my hand. “The practice of giving a woman a rose has a rich history that spans across cultures and centuries.”
I placed my attention on the rose.
“In ancient Greece and Rome, roses were associated with Venus, the goddess of love, and were often given as gifts to express romantic feelings.”
I directed my view to him. “I can believe that.”
“During the Victorian era, the language of flowers, or floriography, became popular, and roses were used as a way to express hidden feelings.” He walked over to me. “The color of the rose also held special meanings, with red roses symbolizing romantic love, white roses symbolizing purity and innocence, and yellow roses symbolizing friendship.”
“Hmmm.” I gazed back at my rose. “And what do you think a diamond rose would have symbolized, if a man gave it to a woman he barely knew?”
“I would say. . .many things.” Ethan stopped a few inches in front of me. Close enough that I could feel the erotic electric current radiating from his body. “A diamond rose would be a rare and luxurious gift, and the fact that it is a diamond, a precious and durable stone, it would probably symbolize the lasting and enduring nature of the love that he intended to have for her.”
I blinked.
“The rose, which is a traditional symbol of passion and desire, would represent his romantic feelings for her.” His gaze locked onto mine and my heart started pounding in my chest.
My lips parted in anticipation as I waited for him to speak because I was completely speechless.
He slowly raised his hand and touched the top of the rose with one perfectly manicured finger and slipped it along the diamond petals. Immediately, a delicious shiver ran through my body as if he were touching me.
Still toying with the diamond rose, his voice was a caress. “The diamonds on the petals. . .would add an extra layer of meaning, emphasizing the value and importance he places on her.”
Those words hung in the air, filling the room with heavy, tangible emotion.
My heart warmed.
He continued, “It would also suggest that the man is willing to spend a lot of money to express his intentions to her.”
I swallowed.
“At least. . .those are the reasons why I gave this to you.” He moved his finger away from the rose. “But what do you think, Ms. Romance Author?”