Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 99012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Christian met my glare. His beautiful blue eyes bounced back and forth between mine for a few seconds before he lifted a hand to my cheek. “You’re so beautiful. Your eyes have little flecks of gold around the iris, and they turn almost gray when you’re mad.”
Anger transformed into a flutter in my belly. And the stupid hormones that surged through my veins the moment he touched my cheek caused an immediate brain fog. I couldn’t even remember what we’d been talking about. But the moment grew too intense to remain quiet. So I said the first thing that came to my head. “It’s called central heterochromia. It’s genetic and more noticeable when the iris contains low quantities of melanin.”
Christian’s brows dipped.
“The gold ring, it’s called central heterochromia. Usually it shows concentrically, instead of sectoral, like I have. But some people have quadrants of different color.”
The corner of Christian’s lip twitched. “Good to know. Come home with me.”
“I’m on a date, Christian.”
“Only because you’re trying to forget what’s going on between the two of us.”
“God, you really are an egomaniac…”
He stroked my cheek with his thumb. It felt rough on my skin, and goddamn if I didn’t feel it between my legs. “Let’s both be honest. I’ll go first,” he said. “It’s not a coincidence that I’m here. I came looking for you. Definitely not one of my finer moments, but it was driving me nuts thinking of you out on a date with that guy.”
The little flutter in my belly turned to full-on mush.
Christian lifted his chin. “Your turn. Honesty time.” He slid his hand from my cheek down under my chin and tipped my head up so our eyes met. “Tell me you don’t feel anything right now, that it’s only me who feels like you’re a magnet, and I’m a piece of gold.”
I bit down on my lip. “Gold isn’t drawn to a magnet—not pure gold anyway. Iron, nickel, and cobalt are. They’re called ferromagnetic elements.”
Christian’s eyes dropped to my lips, and he smiled. “Even the random facts you spit out when you’re nervous are sexy.”
“Christian…”
He put two fingers over my lips. “Don’t come home with me, then. Let me take you for dessert, or coffee, or whatever. I’ll drop you off after and be a perfect gentleman, I swear.”
My bottom lip was going to be swollen from all the gnawing I was doing.
Christian surprised me when he took two steps back and held up his hands. “Just think about it. Mull it over during dinner. If that guy is really more your Ferragamo element than me, I’ll back off.”
I smiled halfheartedly. “Ferromagnetic.”
“Damn, brains are sexy as hell.” He winked. “Who knew?”
I took another minute to compose myself after Christian returned to the table, though I didn’t feel any less flustered when I wandered back. Nevertheless, eventually the four of us settled into comfortable conversation. At one point, Julian was talking about his work, and I had this vision of the two of us sitting on my couch, each at separate ends, both wearing matching pajamas. Julian was reading a book, and I worked on my laptop. He looked over and smiled warmly at me before burying his nose back in his nonfiction hardcover.
Coming back to reality, I had no idea what Julian had just said, so I offered a smile at his pause. Luckily, Candice was paying attention. While she babbled on, I finished off the wine in my glass and stole a glance at Christian. There was no way in hell Christian would be sitting on the opposite end of my couch if he were in my apartment the morning after a sleepover. Maybe I’d be trying to work at one end, but when our eyes met, he’d grin and haul me from where I sat to straddle his lap. And definitely no pajamas. A morning after with Christian would be his T-shirt from the day before, sans underwear, likely because he’d ripped the panties from my body.
When I stole another glance at Christian, his eyes gleamed like he knew what I was thinking, and he leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Dead giveaway when you suck on that bottom lip.”
A little while later, the waiter came over with a small, leather-bound folder. “Would you like to see the dessert menu? Maybe some coffees or cappuccinos?”
Christian held up a hand. “Nothing for me, thank you. I should call it a night. I have an early day tomorrow.” He turned to me and lifted a brow. “How about you, Bella? Dessert?”
A sense of panic washed over me. I looked over at Julian, who was also waiting for my answer, then back to Christian before returning my gaze to Julian. Unlike Christian, Julian would probably not try to get me to go home with him, but what if he kissed me goodnight tonight? Did I want that? I should want that…