Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I know how muscular his stomach is because I keep a close eye on him every time he reaches over my head for his clothes. His t-shirt pulls away from his body, and I can see the ridge of muscle lining his stomach.
He doesn't say a word as he continues to grin at me, and I imagine that smile has gotten him out of a lot of trouble and into even more beds.
I can't get lost in that smile. I can't read more into it than him just being friendly.
"You're holding my hand," I say, not making any sort of move.
"You were having a nightmare last night."
My blood runs cold. Xan used to tease me about muttering in my sleep, and I can't help but wonder what sorts of things I would've said loud enough for him to hear.
Did he lie down on the floor so he could hear me better?
I pull my hand back, and he doesn't seem offended as he pulls his own closer, positioning it under his cheek.
"Are you okay?" he asks, and the concern in his tone sounds genuine.
My first instinct is to lie, to tell him that I'm fine, but I can't fight the urge to continue testing the man. There has to be a chink in the hero armor he constantly wears.
"I need to talk to Beth."
"Okay," he says, shocking me because I figured Cerberus would do anything to keep the daughter of the crime lord away from one of their protected women.
"Okay?" I ask in disbelief because he agreed so quickly.
He nods as best he can in his lying position on the floor.
"I'll try and make arrangements."
"I don't want a formal meeting," I tell him. "It seems to businesslike. Maybe we can go where she might be and wait."
"Like an ambush?" he asks with a frown.
I don't know how to answer him so I remain silent.
As much as I want to clear the air with Beth, I also hate that she treated me the way she did. I made a sacrifice to protect her, and it was returned with anger and disrespect. I've done some pretty terrible stuff in my life at Nathan's insistence. He was a very good teacher when it came to malicious and immoral behavior and expectations, but I was always kind to Beth if you didn't count that first time when I didn't want to do the legwork to find scholarships for myself. Beth stood her ground, and I respected her for it. I still do and think that's why my feelings are hurt with the way she treated me.
It's been over a week since I've been here, and I'm hoping that's enough time for her to calm down. I know she probably hasn't been in many situations like we were in together and being terrified has a way of making you act out of character.
"Maybe we can just sit in the living room or something," I offer when he just continues to watch me without speaking.
He sits up when I do, but instead of standing, he continues to occupy the space in front of the closet door.
"I don't really want to interact with anyone, but I think it would be a good step to get used to being around other people again," I continue.
"Want to go have breakfast with everyone?" he asks after a long moment of silence.
I quickly shake my head.
"You'll let me know when you're ready?"
"I will," I agree, wondering why he doesn't stand up, take my hand, and force me out of the room.
We go through the same routine we have for days. He heads into the bathroom, but before he does, he once again asks permission to reach over my head and grab some clothes.
I keep my eyes locked on my lap. It feels like a violation to look up at his muscled stomach like I have so many times before. I wouldn't want him looking up my shirt if the roles were reversed.
He tells me he'll be back in like half an hour before leaving the room for breakfast. Lunch is the only meal we share together, and I sort of envy the time he spends outside of the room, even though I know I can leave any time I want.
I quickly stand once he's gone and lock the bedroom door, rushing to the bathroom to wash my hands. The soap and warm water do nothing to make the tingle from his touch disappear.
By the time I'm done going to the bathroom, brushing my hair, washing my face, and managing more than a nest of my hair, I've almost convinced myself that he has no effect on me at all.
It takes all day and almost into the evening before I gather enough courage to ask him if he's ready to leave the room with me. It's dark outside before we leave the room.