Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
"I promise, you can trust me."
My brain screams at me to stop, that this is a bad idea, that I don't really know this man. And yet, I find myself nodding.
"Good girl," he says, and that bolt of lust hits me again. "Let me help you."
Derrick takes another step into the house and slides the blindfold over my eyes. My vision goes completely dark, and I sway.
"I've got you," he says, and the rumble of his voice in my ear is a comfort.
"I know." I force a smile onto my face even though he can't see me. "It's a little disorienting, but I'm fine."
"I'll be with you the whole time, angel."
"All right. I'm ready."
Derrick takes my hand and leads me out the door. His car is running, and I can tell when we're moving as the world tilts around me, and the soft sound of tires on pavement reaches my ears.
"Doing alright, Alina?"
I jump a little when his arm slides around my shoulders. "Yes." I sigh, leaning my head on his shoulder. He smells good, like cedar, and some sort of cologne. The scent comforts me. "How far are we going?"
"Not far. My place isn't in town."
"Oh, where do you live, exactly?"
"Alina." His tone has a warning edge.
"I'm sorry." I chew on my lip, and Derrick laughs softly.
"Don't be. I like it when you're curious. Just not about this."
His tone leaves room for no argument, and the reminder of his insistence on privacy has a million thoughts running through my head again. What is he hiding? What is Derrick's deal? Who is he? I decide to let it slide for the moment. Maybe if I wait until we're further into the evening and have had more time in each other's presence, he'll be more forthcoming.
Or, at the very least, more pliable.
A few minutes later, Derrick pulls the car to a stop, and his seat belt unbuckles. "We're here. Give me your hand, Alina."
I do as I'm told, and a moment later, the passenger side door opens and my feet hit cool, damp grass.
"Watch your step," he says, guiding me to the side.
A second later, my hand touches something smooth, and a door creaks open. I gasp, stepping back as a blast of warm air greets me, and I take a deep breath, reveling in the smell of fresh bread.
"Alina." His voice is low, and I shiver as he gently pushes me inside. "Up the stairs. I'm right behind you."
"Why don't you want me to see?"
Derrick chuckles. "Soon, angel."
"Have I told you that I hate surprises?"
He snorts. "No, actually, you haven't." He's behind me, his breath stirring my hair, and I can feel the warmth of his body radiating out towards me. Every time we're this close, it's all I can do not to lean back into him. I’m dying to see what he'd do if I did. Would he grab me, pull me against him?
Would he sweep me into his bedroom, taking my virginity right then and there? A rush of excitement goes through me at the thought, and I push the door open, walking fully into the room.
"Take off the blindfold." Derrick's voice is low and close to my ear, and I shudder. His fingers trail over my jaw, down my neck, and over the curve of my shoulder. "Please."
He doesn't need to beg, not at all. But his words have me reaching for the knot that secures the blindfold in place. As soon as the fabric is free, I blink, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.
We're in a kitchen, and I'm stunned by the beauty of the space around us. White cabinets, the doors shining and gleaming in the low light. Marble countertops, and a large island, the surface dotted with lights under the bottom.
"Derrick..." I breathe.
"I'm glad you like it."
With total honesty, I say, "I love it."
"This is the heart of the house." He steps past me, his big hands landing on the island. “I have an affinity for cooking.”
"I can see that.” I explore a little more, tracing my fingers over the countertop and appliances as I go.
"Are you hungry, Alina? Thirsty?" I nod, and he moves across the space. "Let me get you something." He grabs two wine glasses down from a cabinet. "White or red?"
With no knowledge of wine, I shrug. "Either is fine."
"White, then."
He uncorks a bottle of white and pours. Handing a glass to me, he smiles. "To new beginnings."
I raise an eyebrow.
Bold words for a man who doesn't even want me to see the exterior of his house. I want to believe him, but no matter how hot and bothered he's making me feel, he isn't making that trust easy. "Is that what this is?"
"Yes." Derrick sounds a lot more confident than I feel.
Not responding, I clink my glass against his and take a sip. It’s sharp but buttery on the finish. Delicious.