Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
His mouth curves in a slightly amused smile that does nothing to dispel the intricate hardness of his eyes.
“Are you finally awake?” he asks surprisingly gently. His deep voice is mesmerizing, leaving goose bumps along my skin.
I blink at him, still unable to wrap my head around the fact that he’s here in the flesh. The man from the painting. Somewhere deep within the confused recess of my mind, I couldn’t help but notice that he’s better looking in person.
I’d thought he looked like a Greek god in the painting, but now, even that analogy doesn’t seem to do him justice.
A handsome devil...that seems better.
Maybe it’s the glint of wickedness in the depth of his phantom eyes...or that lazy smirk that seems like a permanent fixture on his handsome face. There’s nothing angelic about the man sitting in front of me.
Daring. Dangerous. Exciting.
Those are the words that come to mind.
He’s exactly the kind of man I should never have anything to do with.
He’s the kind of man that would never want anything to do with a girl like me, anyway.
“Wh... What are you doing here?” I stammer, awkwardly clearing my throat.
His brow gently shoots up, the only reaction to my seemingly audacious question.
“You’re in my bed, darling,” he said mildly. “Shouldn’t I ask you that question?”
My heart starts a low thrum in my chest as the indication of the whole situation begins to dawn on me.
It seems like my senses suddenly become aware, all at once. I bite my lower lip in apprehension and lower my eyes as my face reddens.
“I had to spend the whole night sitting in a chair,” he says in the same quiet tone that sent chills down my spine. I can’t tell if it’s from fear or excitement. “I guess I deserve some form of explanation.”
It feels surreal meeting him this way. For three years, he’s been the object of my daydreams.
And on some nights, he’s the object of my secret fantasies. I never thought I’d ever meet him, and definitely not this way.
I feel tears well up in my eyes, and I shrink further into the bed from embarrassment.
“I...I’m so sorry,” I say in a small voice. “I didn’t...I just...I’m sorry.” I let go of the comforter and jump off the bed, almost tripping over my feet. I snatch my handbag from the ground and run a hand quickly through my hair. “I...I should leave,” I say in a rush, already heading toward the door.
“Let me see…,” he drawls, his voice stopping me in my tracks. “Breaking and entering, illegal trespassing, larceny. I’m sure my lawyers can think of some other things along the way.”
I whirl around, my eyes open wide in shock.
“What?” I ask in a shaky voice, unsure I understood the implications of his words.
I slowly walk back toward the bed with my head bowed. I stop directly in front of him, unable to raise my eyes to his.
“I...I didn’t. What are you talking about?” I ask, fiddling with my fingers.
“You’re in my home...,” he replies. “My bed. You don’t think I’d let you go without an explanation?”
I raise my eyes briefly to his. “I’m not a thief, I promise. I...I was going to leave as early as possible this morning.”
“Look at me.” His voice is quiet but brooks no argument. His blue-green eyes hold mine prisoner. “What’s your name?” he asks.
“Melody,” I reply. “Melody Hanson. I’m a cleaner for Summer House.”
He reaches for the landline phone on the bedside table.
“I’ll check with the management.
I gasp softly, impulsively placing my hands over his.
“Please, don’t!” My eyes fly up to his, and I realize I’ve just made a mistake. I slowly drop my hand, mentally berating myself for my clumsy mistake. “I’m...I’m sorry. Sir,” I add as an afterthought, my cheeks flaming from mortification.
“Does that mean you came in here without any authorization?” he asks.
I nod jerkily, shame washing through me in waves.
I’d run away so fast from Jack last night until I almost dropped from sheer exhaustion. Then, it’d hit me that I had nowhere else to go. It was too late at night, and I had no friends except Brenda.
My only option had been this place.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat listlessly. “I had a situation last night and had nowhere else to go. So I was only going to spend the night here and sort myself out this morning. I’m sorry.”
He seems to consider my excuse for a minute and then sighs softly. “I can’t just let you go.”
I raise my eyes to his and swallow nervously at the solemnity with which he delivered the words.
“Please...,” I say softly, unwilling to imagine the consequences of my actions. “I’ll do anything.”
Not only have I broken a very important work rule, but I’ve also exploited Brenda’s trust.
Of course, I’d have to come clean when she gets back, but it seems like I have to clean up the mess I’m in right now.