Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Now I understand you, Don. This isn’t a bad mission after all.
When Kashmere turned her attention to me, she widened those eyes and frowned.
She’s not happy about this marriage either. Interesting.
When I approached the table, she delicately rose.
Her three people stood off a few feet behind her. None of them looked pleased.
She’s being forced into this just like me.
I wondered what I would do with that information. It appeared that the Killer Crows were more fractured than I thought.
6
Well Damn
Kashmere
O
kay. I didn’t know he would be this fine.
In fact, Santino DeLuca was god-like gorgeous. Sharp features with a broad jaw. If he was cast for a movie, he would be the leading man—the hero—the one kicking ass and saving the day.
He had a haunting physical presence as he stood taller than almost every man in the ball room. His tan skin gave off a golden hue. His stylish black hair was a chaotic poem of curls and waves.
Wow.
Every inch of Santino’s body appeared to be sculpted to chiseled perfection. Thick biceps pushed up against the fabric on his arms.
Getting closer, I got an even more delicious view. I rose, too hypnotized to remain sitting.
Fuck.
His eyes were liquid. Piercing. Lust and hunger pooled within his pupils.
He extended his hand my way.
Music paused. Chatter stopped. Everyone turned our way. I could tell many people—especially Rue and Dane—held their breaths.
And I stood there. Frozen. Taken back by the sexy elegance of this man.
My grandmother spoke on my side. Annoyance rode her words. “Do you not remember your manners, Kashmere?”
That put me back into gear.
I cleared my throat and took Santino’s hand.
Giving me a sexy smile, he wrapped his huge fingers around it.
God, he feels good.
Santino’s skin was not just smooth, it boasted a silky, warm touch.
The warmth of him made me lose myself for a few seconds. There, my mind wandered as I savored our electric hold. And for another second, I shuddered at the sensation of his hand holding mine.
It was pleasant.
Too pleasant. Too sensual. Too exciting.
And it was only a hand, yet I wanted to touch more of him.
Okay. Relax. I just need a new Stress Reliever.
Orchestra music returned.
And then the chatter did too.
My grandma’s words rode to rising noise. “Surely, you both are done shaking hands.”
Some of the people at the table chuckled.
Completely embarrassed, a nervous laugh left me.
“Sorry.” I tried to pull my hand away.
Moving his gaze down my body, Santino kept my fingers in his huge grip. Next, his voice came out deep and masculine. “I saw a picture of you, but. . .I had no idea until this moment, how beautiful you truly were.”
I parted my lips in shock as a sudden tightening hit my heart. “Thank. . .you.”
When he took his hand away, I instantly missed it. I’d been a bundle of nerves and terror before he’d arrived, not sure of what would happen next.
He was a stranger, yet he made me feel safe and calm in a room of people that I should have considered my family and friends.
Before he arrived, I’d been engulfed in social torture.
Just months ago, most Killer Crows paid me no mind. They made it their job to avoid and ignore me. The few that did greet me were cool and polite, but they did so quickly and then moved on.
Now that I sat on the throne, I was everyone’s best friend and loving confidant. Tonight—at my fake engagement party—they all soared to me with fake conversation.
I nodded and smiled at them. I laughed at their stupid jokes. I responded to their comments and compliments with what I hoped to be all the right statements, even though I didn’t have any idea what most of them talked about.
I was stuck in a room full of strangers that I’d known all my life. I’d never felt so imprisoned, so crowded, yet utterly alone.
And the whole time, I pretended to be excited to be in the ball room. I did my best to act happy and carefree.
But on the inside, every cell in my body craved escape.
And then Santino walked into the room, prowled my way, and stopped my heart from pumping and my brain from drumming in nervousness.
Fuck.
I shouldn’t have been so easily affected.
He gazed at me with heat blazing in his eyes. “After you.”
“After me?”
He gestured to my seat. “I won’t sit until you do.”
“Oh. Yes.” I lowered.
My grandmother sighed in disgust.
Would you give me a damn break, woman?!
I forced myself to not roll my eyes.
All night she’d been huffing and puffing on my left in annoyance. I was close to telling her to go fuck herself if I didn’t love her so damn much and desperately need her to accept me.
It’s only us now, grandma. You’ve got to love me.
Santino faced me.
Focus on the party. Not him. He’s too fine. I can’t swoon in front of everyone.