Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
That’s what I want, right?
It’s what I should want.
But do I?
No.
I almost wince at the tiny voice at the back of my head.
Before I can talk myself out of this madness, I search the beach, looking for the couple. After ten minutes, it’s obvious that they’re no longer here. For all I know, they returned to the house and are getting it on. As I continue to scan the area, I notice a small patch of woods on the side of the mansion. There are a few couples sitting in the sand and making out.
All right…maybe they’re doing a little more than just kissing.
A heated groan fills the air before getting whisked away by the breeze. Heat scalds my cheeks as I look away. Instead of scampering back to safety, I jog past them until I reach the tree line. Now that I’m away from the beach, the music and voices become muted. It’s more of a murmur that mingles with the waves washing up against the shore and the wind that whips through the treetops. The darkness appears thick and velvety enough to touch without the bright glow of the fire to soften it.
Stepping farther into the small patch of woods, I reach out and shove a slim branch to the side before ducking beneath it. I hesitate and squint, examining the area for the slightest movement. It’s impossible to see more than twenty feet in front of me.
I take another step and pause, cocking my head.
There’s no way they came here. It’s way too creepy. They’re probably back at the house and Austin is screwing her in the bed we’re supposed to share this weekend.
The thought makes me gut sick.
A chill scampers down my spine as I take a hasty step in retreat. I need to get out of here. Instead of returning to the party, I’m heading straight to my room and going to bed. Whether it’s the one I’m supposed to sleep in or not remains to be seen.
As I take a step toward the beach, a twig snaps and there’s the scurry of tiny paws against the dried leaves that carpet the forest floor. It’s followed by a husky laugh and then a moan. I falter and swing around in the direction the sound came from. Whoever is here isn’t far.
My teeth rake across my lower lip as indecision wars inside me.
Walk away with unanswered questions or…
Figure out if Austin and Aubrey are hooking up.
If they are, I can only hope that seeing them firsthand will be enough to kill my feelings for him so that I can move on. It’s not a conscious decision to move deeper into the woods. My heartbeat picks up speed, thudding harshly against my ribcage as I duck beneath another branch and stutter to a stop when I spot a tall figure leaning against the thick trunk of a tree. As I squint, the shape comes into focus.
“Mmm, that feels so damn good, baby,” a deep voice growls.
Realization slams into me that I’ve stumbled across Kingsley and Summer.
She presses kisses against his neck as her hands slip beneath the hem of his sweatshirt and shove it up his body until the sun-kissed flesh of his belly and chest is exposed under the sliver of moonlight that filters down through the tree branches. Kingsley tips his head back, exposing the thickly corded muscles of his throat as she slides downward.
I really need to get out of here before they figure out they’re no longer alone.
Turn away now!
But my feet refuse to obey the commands of my brain. I’m unable to take my eyes off the couple.
God…this is so wrong.
And yet…
Air gets clogged at the back of my throat as her fingers hover over the button of his jeans. Once it’s flicked open, she drags down the zipper and sinks to her knees. Arousal ignites in my core as I continue watching from the shadows.
Another deep groan rumbles from his chest before being swept away by the wind. “Are you going to kiss the crown, baby girl?”
The husky question is enough to knock me from the strange paralysis that has taken hold as I carefully back away. Relief floods through me that the couple will remain blissfully unaware of my presence.
I would have died if they’d caught sight of me.
As I clear the small patch of woods, an arm snakes around my waist from behind and yanks me against a hard chest. A hand wraps around my throat so that I’m rendered immobile.
“Look who I caught all by her lonesome,” a deep voice growls in my ear.
Jasper.
My heart rate spikes, thundering painfully against my chest. “Let me go.”
I try to keep the quiver from my voice, knowing that my fear will only incite further violence.
“Oh, I don’t think so. At least, not yet.” He strokes the long column of my throat with a startling amount of gentleness.