Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
My books. That was really the thing I’d miss the most.
He blinked and smiled, but there was a question in his eyes.
“It’s … cheers is … ah, maybe you don’t have that here. It’s a bit of a well-wish for a person.”
“Lovely,” he replied softly, eyes on me as he put the glass to his lips. His full, sexy lips.
I put the glass to my own mouth and tasted just a little. And the flavor bursting in my mouth was…otherworldly. Like sparkling sangria leaning more toward fruit than wine. The hint of alcohol was there, but it was delicate, not overpowering. I swallowed and basked in the flavor.
His eyes were still on me when he set his glass down on the wide ledge of the elaborate metal railing surrounding us on a white balcony that felt what I’d imagine it’d feel like in a place like Tuscany. This was like the Tuscany I had imagined from books, but blended with Victorian charm. Everything around me looked regal, expensive, well-made, and glowing with vibrant color.
“About the reception…” Zane started.
I gave him my full attention.
He winced and put a hip against the railing, looking like he was searching for the right words. “That’s not exactly indicative of life on Phallyx. At least, it shouldn’t have been. That wasn’t indicative of my typical behavior. I apologize if I frightened you, Tanya.”
I waited for him to continue. It was so odd watching his mouth move at a different speed than the words I heard. It was also mesmerizing to watch his mouth as it was a very nice one. Full, pillowy lips. Straight, bright white teeth. Chiseled jawline.
“Our world has been through turmoil, Tanya. Much pain. We’ve had months of competitive games to determine ranking for wait lists to attend one of these receptions. This was the first event like this. The very first. And our officials will gather information from today to help them fine-tune the process. You’ve been a test subject, I’m afraid. And I failed horribly as a test subject on the Phallyx end of the equation. Though, not entirely my fault.”
I moistened my lips and shifted uncomfortably on my high heels. My eyes moved up from his mouth to meet his beautiful eyes.
“You lost people? Family?” I asked.
A swallow moved down his very attractive throat.
“Yes,” he said simply.
A long moment passed with us simply looking at one another. He offered no further information, but I could see pain in those eyes. So much of it, I physically felt it.
“I’m so sorry,” I breathed. I couldn’t imagine how hard it’d been for him to have lost Ollie’s mother, other women in his life.
He simply stared. I could see something behind his eyes. Something serious, intelligent. There was depth. He was studying me. This man was more than just an attractive face and that was something that deepened his attractiveness in my opinion. A handsome face was good. A handsome face on a person with more beyond the surface? Better.
He looked away and blew out a slow breath.
I sipped my wine again in order to break the moment, trying to avoid making him feel scrutinized. I shifted on my uncomfortable heels and looked out at the landscape.
“Please sit.” He gestured to one of the four chairs that surrounded a table that looked as if made entirely from rose gold metal with a glass tabletop with what I can only describe as the cut and clarity of diamonds.
I sat, my bottom landing on a fluffy dove gray cushion. My hand grazed the pretty tabletop.
“Phallyxian men are competitive. All of us,” he informed. “In a specifically competitive situation, hormones are triggered and rev up the emotion. I wasn’t myself. Or, I was, but it was amplified.”
“So, you’re essentially saying that was a testosterone-fueled mob mentality back there?” I asked.
He tilted his head and regarded me thoughtfully. “Yes, if I understand you correctly. Add to that, the project team administered a hormone to all the women, which… escalated things even further. It forces a surge of even more hormones in males in the immediate vicinity.”
“A hormone?”
“To trigger ovulation. And lower your inhibitions.”
“Ah. I see.” I rolled my eyes.
Was this why I wasn’t afraid of him? Others seemed to be fearful at that cocktail party, though. And I’d been frightened when all that commotion started. I didn’t feel drugged. I also didn’t feel shy. And it was weird for me.
He was regarding me thoughtfully.
“Your little son? He’s very sweet,” I said.
“Little? He’s nearly the size of you.” Zane’s eyes twinkled.
He was right. The boy was tall, but looked quite young.
Just then, I saw a black boxy aircraft rise from the ground next door. Flying cars. Wild.
“True.” I smiled, sipping more wine. “I’m shorter than the average Earth girl. And we all must seem short to all of you.”