Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
The man leans in, his presence overpowering and somehow comforting at the same time. “It kind of looks like you do. That asshole is definitely going to come back.”
I find myself momentarily lost in his deep, chocolate-brown eyes, their warmth and intensity making it difficult to focus on our argument. “It’s fine. I promise. I’m sure my mother will compensate you for your time.”
His black t-shirt has a logo that’s a circle with the words ‘Maddox Security’ inside, and jeans, and despite his casual attire, he exudes a powerful aura. He smiles, a small, confident curve of his lips. “I’m not leaving, Briar.”
I chew on my bottom lip, conflicted. “Well, my boss won’t appreciate you following me around while I work.”
The man glances around the aviary, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a possessive expression. “I don’t really care.”
I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head at his persistence. “What’s your name?”
“Orion. Orion Locke.” He pulls out a badge and shows me his credentials. I take a quick photo of them and text my mother to verify that this man is legitimate and not some random guy.
When my mother confirms that Orion Locke is indeed the security she hired, I turn back to him with a raised eyebrow. “Like the constellation?”
He nods, his eyes sparking with a hint of something there. Something powerful. Something I can’t quite identify. Something dangerous. “Yeah, just like that. My mother was really into star signs and constellations.”
“Well, my mother is into over-worrying. I promise you, I can handle myself.”
Orion steps even closer, his breath warm and faintly scented, brushing against my skin. His proximity sends a tingle of electricity through me. “I’m sure you can. But you don’t have to, now that I’m here.”
His closeness and the gentle touch of his breath stir an unexpected flutter in my chest. “Oh,” is all I manage to say, caught off guard by the strange but intriguing mix of emotions he evokes.
Chapter 4
Orion
Green eyes gaze up at me, and it’s like a cosmic joke. They turn me inside out and upside down all at once. I’ve never had a reaction to any woman quite like this before. Seeing that man mess with her stirred a rage in me that I’m not proud of—let’s just say he’s lucky he fled before I had a chance to act on it.
“I can’t just let you whisk me away,” she says, her tone a blend of defiance and curiosity. There’s a spark in her eyes that both challenges and captivates me.
“You can and you will,” I reply, my voice steady and confident.
She clutches her phone tighter to her chest, as if it’s her shield. “I have a job. I can’t just miss work.”
“Then I’ll be here every day to watch over you,” I declare, determined.
She rolls her mesmerizing jade-green eyes with an exaggerated sigh. “Seriously, I can handle myself.”
I step closer, closing the space between us until my presence is almost overwhelming. “What if next time there’s nobody here to save you? What then, sweetheart?”
Her breath hitches slightly, and I notice the way her cheeks flush ever so slightly, adding a touch of color to her otherwise pale complexion. The intensity of the moment seems to hang in the air, creating a bubble around us that’s both tense and oddly exhilarating.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she retorts, but there’s a softness in her voice that belies her bravado.
I’m so close now that I can almost feel the warmth radiating from her. “Maybe you don’t. But sometimes, a little extra protection doesn’t hurt.”
She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine for sincerity. There’s a flicker of vulnerability there, and for a split second, I can see that she’s not as invincible as she pretends to be. The atmosphere between us is electric, charged with a mix of frustration, attraction, and something unspoken but palpable.
“Fine,” she says after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. “But you’d better not cramp my style.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. “I promise not to.”
With that, I give her a nod and step back, though the pull to stay close to her is almost irresistible.
She bites her bottom lip and the action makes me all growly. “Fine.”
I step back, giving her some space. “Also, you’ll be staying with me.”
Her eyes widen. “I can’t…” she doesn’t finish her sentence, and hopefully it’s because she realizes there’s no point.
I’m not the type of man to take no for an answer, and I won’t let anything happen to her on my watch. Ever. I take my job seriously. Even though she’s beautiful, I’d never cross that line. I never sleep with clients. I also don’t do attachments. Women are to be enjoyed for one night only, and I’m always out the door before the sun comes up the next morning. I don’t do relationships in any way, shape, or form. I’m just not capable of it.