Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Now it did.
She stared at herself in the mirror. She rarely wore makeup and didn’t have any with her. She’d brought cream for her face and that was about it. It hadn’t mattered until she met Draden. He didn’t seem to notice, but she wanted to look her best for him. Shrugging, she brushed her teeth and once more stared out the window at the strange birds. She counted thirteen of them. They were definitely eating the fruit on the great pile of twisted vines and branches on the forest floor. She had no idea where the stack of vines had come from and she peered out, trying to see if there was an abundance of fig trees around them.
“Good morning.” Draden came up behind her, pressed a kiss to her neck and went past her to the bathroom.
She watched him walk away from her. He was naked, and he had a beautiful body. All muscle. She’d never paid that much attention, but she was fairly certain someone should sculpt him, immortalize him for all time. He had that good of a body. With his face, that bone structure, strong jaw, straight nose and beautiful, compelling eyes, it was a little intimidating to be with him.
“What’s going on in your mind?” he called out to her. “It’s our wedding day.”
Shylah spit into the kitchen sink and rinsed out her mouth several times. “I was thinking that you’re so beautiful it could be a little intimidating being your wife. Fortunately, I’m very confident, so you’re going to be stuck with me.”
“I like the idea of being very traditional.”
She heard the water running as he washed his hands. Something in his voice made her suspicious. Draden didn’t seem like a traditional sort of man.
“Traditional how?”
“Since the virus could take hold anytime”—he came out of the bathroom and leaned one hip lazily against the wall—“and we have to say ‘until death do us part,’ I thought we’d keep the original wording of the marriage ceremony.”
She sensed a trap, but she’d never been to a wedding. She wasn’t about to commit until she knew what he was talking about. “Why do I have the feeling you’re up to something?”
He grinned at her, which shot his attraction up another million watts. If he didn’t put clothes on she was going to jump him. Since he hadn’t made any advances, she thought he was going to be traditional and not have sex with her until they were married.
Shylah made a face at him. “Now I know for sure that you’re up to something. I’m not agreeing to anything yet. Take your shower while I ponder this.”
“There’s no cheating.”
“How could I cheat?”
“You have to stay in the cabin because I’m fixing things up for our wedding outside.” He disappeared into the shower and then stuck his head back out. “You could fix me breakfast. I need something hearty. I have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time.”
“I think you just want me to feed you.”
He laughed, and the sound moved through her like a wave of pleasure.
“That could be true.”
“Look out the window before those birds go away. There’s thirteen of the coolest-looking birds I’ve ever seen eating figs off those branches.”
“I cut those branches last night and twisted them together. I wanted an arbor over the door to the lab, so I got a few things done last night.”
“You should have woken me up, Draden.”
“You weren’t feeling good and I wanted you to rest. How are you feeling now?”
“Much better.”
He stuck his head back out, his gaze drifting over her. “Your color looks better.”
“The rash is better too. At least it was when I went into the shower. The heat brought it out again, but nowhere near what it was when I went to bed. It’s still a little itchy, but my eyes aren’t burning. I think that must have been from all the crying.” She hesitated, but it had to be said. “I’m sorry about that.”
“I want to see the rash.”
“Later. Shower now, inspection later. And look at the birds, tell me if you know what they are.”
“You’re more of a wildlife expert than I am.” He disappeared again. There was silence and then he whistled softly. “Those are helmeted hornbills, or something like that. They’re critically endangered. If I’m right, they generally stay up in the canopy. I cut down all these fig branches and they’ve come for the figs. From what I understand, and I’m quoting Malichai here, usually they stay in pairs. And, my beautiful bride, they bring good luck.”
“Why would so many of them be here?”
“They have to be juveniles. The female is sealed into a nest built into the hollow of a tree. Only a tiny hole remains so the male can feed her while she incubates the eggs. Wouldn’t mind sealing you up somewhere Whitney can never find you.”