Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
When I am done throwing a mini party, I look over at Cain. I can see how amused he is. He’s entertained by me. I can also see the way his brows pinch together in thought every once in a while. But I don’t dwell on it. In this space, I feel great. I feel young again.
I feel like this isn’t an assignment for a job to keep a roof over my head. I’m just having fun with a friend.
The whole idea is a little overwhelming.
I have been here for almost two days, and I’ve taken almost no notes. But I’ve had fun. Maybe that’s the key. Maybe when I sit down to write my piece, I can remember this place as the place that had me smiling, relaxing, and feeling one with nature. Couple that with also having every amenity anyone would need.
We continue to play the whole set, and it’s neck and neck. But with the final pin knocked down, I jump up, screaming, “I won!”
I have reverted back to being a child, and by the way he gleams at me, I’m sure he let me win.
I don’t care, though. It’s all for fun, and I had that in spades. And although he didn’t really tell me anything important in the last hour, I feel like I was actually immersed in knowledge about him.
Just not the type of stuff I can use in my article, but the day is young, and I have time to find out more.
“Now what?” he asks.
I place my hand on my hip and incline my head. “You want more?”
“Well, I can’t let it end like this.” His voice is calm, his gaze steady, but he’s challenging me.
Now it’s my turn to be playful. “With you losing?”
He leans in toward me as if to tell me a secret. “Obviously. That’s not good for my reputation.”
“Definitely not.” I nod, stepping closer to him. “You can’t let anyone know you let me win.”
“I didn’t let you win.”
I cross my hands over my chest and roll my eyes. “Sure.”
“I didn’t.”
“I bet you tell that to all the girls.”
His head inclines down, his hair falling over his eyes. “Actually, I tell that to none of the girls.”
“Only me?”
“Only you.” His words sound huskier now, and for a second, I forget what we are talking about.
I give myself a shake and point at the air hockey table. “Double or nothing?”
“Double or nothing.”
And then we are at it again, playing to see who wins. And again, I’m either a champ of beginner’s luck with this game, or it’s rigged, too. I don’t let on to his play at first, but then to be silly, I start to play, too. Purposely missing shots.
We both keep this up until I’m bubbling over with laughter, and he seems amused.
When the game is over, and I am the victor again, he leads me to the darts.
“Triple or nothing?” I jest.
“You know me too well.”
“Yet I don’t know you at all. And you don’t know I have never thrown a dart.”
He moves closer, standing behind me to help straighten my wrist and teach me how to throw.
He’s close enough I can smell him.
Tingles rush over my body.
I feel hot all over.
His hand tightens on my wrist but in a way that only furthers my need. I like his dominating attitude. “How is this going to help me write my article?”
His mouth runs over the shell of my ear, sending chills down my spine. My eyes close and I have to hold in a moan. “You’re going to sell this. Right here. How do you feel?”
“Entertained.”
He bites at my ear. “Wrong word choice.”
“Exhilarated.” I can feel him smile against my ear.
“Better. Sell The Elysian, Layla. Make me never want to leave.”
I try to string out a sentence explaining how I feel, but at the moment, it’s almost impossible.
I close my eyes, open my mouth, and speak from my heart.
“This place makes me feel alive for the first time ever. The serenity of the spaces, how it’s one with nature. I never feel like I’m cooped up and locked away in a home. I honestly feel more at home here than I have anywhere else. There’s an integrity to the spaces you created here. I never want to leave.”
By the time I’m done, I’m practically shaking from the need he elicits in me. Cain turns me around and places a sweet, gentle kiss on my cheek.
“Good girl.”
10
Layla
Yesterday was wonderful.
After the games, we spent the rest of the time eating. Cain thought of everything. Including having every type of fun bar food brought to us.
I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun with someone.
Now the early morning sunlight gleams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows in my bedroom. My hand reaches up to scrub at my eyes, forcing them open to begin my day.