Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Right, she told herself. And then I’ll spend a few days up there while he does the next part of his mission—gets the other half of the T’lix-Kruthe—and then he’ll take me back home and we’ll go our separate ways.
But somehow the words didn’t quite ring true. Vicky couldn’t help wondering if something else was destined to happen between them…
Don’t be silly, she told herself sharply, before she could get lost in fantasy-land. He’s too young for you—the most you can have is a short fling and that’s it.
Or so she told herself.
The aftermath of the orgasm made her feel sleepy and Chain showed no interest in moving yet. Kevin had always rolled away the minute sex was over and Vicky had learned early in their relationship not to bother him with any kind of cuddling. But the big Kindred seemed to have the opposite philosophy. He pulled her closer when Vicky turned towards him, surrounding her with his warmth and holding her protectively in a way that felt just right.
“You look all worn out, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Why not rest a while? We can put off going for a bit until you feel refreshed.”
“Well…” Vicky stifled a yawn. It had been a crazy night and she had seen and done things she never would have imagined. “Maybe it couldn’t hurt to just take a short power nap,” she mused and yawned again. “Can you wake me up in twenty minutes?”
“If you like,” Chain murmured, his deep voice a soothing rumble in her ears.
“I…” Vicky yawned again. “I like,” she finished at last.
“Good. Then rest awhile, beautiful Victoria. I’ll wake you in a bit.”
Vicky thought drowsily that she never would have dreamed anything like this could happen to her—never would have imagined that she would be drifting off to dreamland in the muscular arms of a man more than fifteen years her junior who actually seemed interested in her for some reason.
It seemed to defy all logic—at least, it defied the logical rules of dating she’d been raised with and knew all her life. Which were that young, handsome, virile men preferred young, slender perfect girls—not middle-aged divorced women who weren’t as thin as society dictated they should be. And yet, here she was, being held in the arms of a younger man and enjoying every minute of it.
Better enjoy it while it lasts because it can’t last long, whispered a little voice in her head. This isn’t the way the world works—you’re being given a gift by the Universe.
And what a lovely gift it was.
Closing her eyes, Vicky sighed in contentment and allowed herself to enjoy being held in someone’s arms for the first time in years. It had to end eventually but for now, it was so nice not to be alone anymore.
Chapter Nine
Chain knew they ought to get going, but he couldn’t bear to wake her right away. Victoria had drifted to sleep, her head pillowed on his arm, after coming for him—coming hard, from the looks of it. And now she was sleeping peacefully, her lovely face soft in repose.
He closed his eyes, savoring the memory of her face filled with pleasure as the orgasm overtook her. Gods, she was sexy and she felt so right in his arms! He loved her mixture of maturity and innocence and thought again what a fool her ex-mate had been. First he’d apparently refused to pleasure her properly and then he’d discarded her, making her feel worthless and used. What a bastard!
“You’re not worthless, sweetheart,” Chain murmured, knowing she couldn’t hear him but wanting to say it anyway. “You’re beautiful and perfect. And I’m going to let you know it, even if we’re only together a short time.”
At the thought of the end of their short time together, his heart fisted in his chest. But he doubted a female of Victoria’s worth would want to tie her life to that of a thief and a Snatcher. No, better to just savor the time they had together and try not to think of the inevitable end. It would come all too soon and after all, they were just at the beginning now.
Chain told himself to be happy with the time the Goddess had granted him with Victoria and not to get greedy. He would make the most of the opportunity that had been given him and try not to think how fleeting and short it was sure to be.
This time was a gift and he was determined not to waste it.
Chapter Ten
The trip up to the Mother Ship was exciting. Vicky had never even been to Europe—though Kevin had, rather grudgingly, taken her to Canada once when he had to go there on a business trip. They had stayed in a run-down Best Western and eaten poutine four times in three days. Good times.