Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“I fell asleep,” I say on a yawn, rubbing at my feet to get the circulation going again.
“And shut off your phone,” he snaps. “Didn’t tell anyone where you were going. Locked the door behind you?”
Did I lock the door? I don’t remember locking the door. And I didn’t shut off my phone…
“Fern knew where I was. She told me to come up here.”
He frowns. “God, you’re exhausted, look at you. I think you’re getting confused? Fern isn’t here, Starla. She went home hours ago.”
Hours ago?
“What time is it?”
“Noon.”
I yawn widely. “Then why’s it so dark out?” I ask.
“Stop changing the subject.”
I shoot him an angry look. “Stop being an asshole.”
“An asshole?” he asks. In two seconds he’s in my space, right in my face, and I can see I’ve somehow pushed one of his very few buttons, because his eyes are filled with fury. “Keep it up, darlin’. I’ll show you just how much of an asshole I can be.”
Excuse me?
“Look, I don’t know why you’re so mad,” I say, my voice shaky. “And hey, what is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ll tell you what that means.” He straightens and pulls me up to stand in front of him. Did he get taller? Or did I get shorter? I crane my neck to look up at his features, contorted in anger. “It means everyone’s left the club. It means you and I are here alone, and I’m the one who’s here to protect you.” He keeps talking but I think my brain just short-circuited.
“…Sergio left to join Eden and the rest of his family because the snow they predicted finally came. I saw your location on my phone, but it only shows you here, at Bella Notte. So I’ve combed this place looking for you, and you were nowhere to be seen.”
I try to process all of this, but my still-sleepy mind is confused and jumbled.
“What?”
“It means,” he says, reaching for my chin so that he can grasp it in his hand, locking my gaze on his. “That you’re under my protection now, and if you want to do anything to jeopardize your safety, you’ll deal with the consequences.”
Blink.
Swallow.
Cough.
What?
I stare, uncomprehending. “You’re my guard,” I repeat.
Since when have you gotten all dominant?
…Since I knew you liked it.
“I am.”
The heat crackles between us, making me break out in a sweat. “It’s hot as fuck in here,” I whisper.
He swallows and licks his lips, his gaze wandering downward. “Maybe you should take some of those clothes off,” he says in a husky voice.
I look down at my chunky sweater and thick jeans, then snap my gaze back to him.
“Pretend I didn’t say that,” he mutters.
“I will do no such thing.” I get up on my tiptoes. I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “We’re alone?” I whisper.
His mouth is inches from mine. His breath smells like mint, warm and exotic on my skin. “Yeah, baby.”
I don’t wait for an invitation. I lean in.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Timeo
At the last second, just before her lips hit mine, I turn my head away.
I can’t, I won’t.
I promised Sergio I would protect her, and I’m the only one who fully knows what that means. I want her so badly it’s killing me inside, but I know that if I take that step with her, if I break that seal —
I know what’s at stake.
“You asshole,” she says again, but this time her voice wobbles. Starla flings her hand out and pushes my chest like a toddler shoving away her broccoli.
When I don’t budge, her cheeks flame and her eyes flash at me.
“Why don’t you take some of those clothes off,” she singsongs as she shoves again, this time with both hands, harder.
She’s right, though, and I know it. I should’ve kept my fucking mouth shut.
“Why?” she says, her voice shaking with anger as she puts her whole body into pushing me away from her.
I grab her wrists, my pulse surging at the delicate feel of her heart beating beneath my fingers. We stare at each other from only inches away. Her beautiful eyes search mine, her breathing labored and heavy.
“Let me go,” she whispers.
I shake my head and pull her to me, so her chest slams against mine. I restrain her against my chest.
“That all you got? A seventh-grade curse word and a slap that wouldn’t bother a fly?” I shake my head. “Pathetic.”
I shouldn’t be fucking baiting her but goddamn, she makes it easy. Sinfully seductive and ornery as hell, Starla is fucking begging to be dominated.
My phone vibrates in my pocket at the same time hers does. Weird. I lost service half an hour ago and thought a cell tower was out.
“Go ahead. Take it,” she challenges, still trying to pull away from me. I’m acutely aware of the thin layer of clothing that separates us from each other as she continues. “You know you want to. Probably one of your brothers, asking you for a kidney. Maybe they didn’t take enough of your flesh already and want you to sell yourself back to their enemies.”