Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 125982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
He laughed, “What makes you think I’m willing to negotiate anything? I’m already in control here; I don’t need to barter with you. You’re staying here. In my bed. With me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
She tried to ignore the stirring of those words and the edge in his voice as he said them, “So you’re just going to keep me prisoner?”
He took a deep breath and looked down at her hand and kissed it again and then flicked the blanket up and over her, “Think of yourself as my guest. You’ll be safe here in my room while I figure everything out. Stay in here and I’ll be able to ensure your safety.”
“My safety? How can I be safe in your bed? The bed of a---a monster?” she glared the ugliest, dirtiest look she could muster. But she didn’t feel convinced. Monsters didn’t kiss your hand and tuck you in, did they? Monsters didn’t want to hold you to convince themselves you were okay, did they?
His gaze darkened, “Apparently it looks like I don’t have to be a monster, though. Which is a surprise. But don’t push too hard or you will see it. It’s always your choice. Easy or hard.”
“You say you like hard. But then it turns you into that monster?”
He snickered, “Strange, huh? Better be on your best behaviour, then. Like I said, I’m working on decoding this mystery. Stay put and let me focus my energy on figuring it out instead of chasing you and we’ll get to the bottom of it faster.”
“I have a life, jobs, responsibilities.”
He tucked her in without replying. They said nothing but it felt like he was serenading her with his eyes. A second ago he was cold and threatening and now he was all Mr. Romeo. He kissed her lips softly, lingering for a moment. He tasted like peaches and cream. She didn’t kiss him back. She just laid there frozen stiff and seething with anger and full of confusion over what was going on. Then he left the room without saying anything else. She closed her eyes and asked sleep to take her away from the confusion she felt.
-4-
When Kyla woke up she was alone in the huge bed.
Tristan’s bed.
It was bright in the room, drapes all open wide, and she could hear birds singing. She felt oddly well-rested. Again. She spotted Tristan through floor to ceiling sliding doors. He was outside on the terrace or balcony or whatever it was, pacing and talking on his phone and with a coffee mug in his hand. He was shirtless and wearing a pair of faded cut-off jean shorts. He looked, through the window panes, like a half-naked GQ model, not like a kidnapping vampire, all pale and sinister-looking. She strained to listen but couldn’t hear anything he was saying. He looked like he was pissed off with whoever was on the phone. She looked around and more closely surveyed this room.
His bedroom was decidedly masculine, for sure, with a giant bed. She assumed it was king-sized, as it seemed huge and she didn’t think she’d ever been in a bed that was anything larger than a queen. The bed and furnishings were similar to the other room with four iron posters and the headboard and footboard consisted of the same style of ornate scrolls that looked like they belonged on iron gates.
Directly ahead against a wall was a long espresso-stained wood dresser with a mirror. On top was a silver tray with a decanter of alcohol, what he’d fed her last night. There was also another silver tray with a wallet, keys, and some loose change. A large silver crucifix lay beside the tray. Another strike against vampire folklore? Surely it wouldn’t be here if it could wield any power against him.
This master suite also had a big sitting area with a fireplace and this room had a big overstuffed plush-looking red sofa. Above the big curved television that sat on the mantle was a wreath that looked like it was made of garlic bulbs. She lifted her brows at that one.
There was also a dark wood desk with a lamp and a laptop on it. Beside the desk was a stack of several cardboard boxes and beside that a large book case filled with hardcover books.
Kyla chewed her bottom lip and thought about the computer. Could she get an email to Daisy, maybe? But what would she say? Call the police! Should she change her Facebook status to,
‘Somebody save me!!!! A tall, dark, and sexy vampire prince with glowing blue eyes has me in his lair and he won’t stop having mind-blowing sex with me and drinking my blood and kissing me all over!’
Was there a paranormal squad for that? As if.
This room was painted a deep red and had beautiful architectural touches. Blood red; how fitting. Kyla needed to use the bathroom. She got up out of bed, holding a sheet over her nakedness. The t-shirt she’d worn last night was on the floor across the room. How did that get off me? Two guesses and the first one doesn’t count!