Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“Thanks,” he mumbled. The moment was ruined by the sound of cameras clicking but Alex’s smile only brightened as he leaned forward and pressed a too hot and too damn short kiss against my lips.
“You’re welcome,” I whispered, my voice low and breathy.
“Wipe that look off your face or I won’t be responsible for what happens next,” he growled, his gaze dark with desire.
I blinked and shook my head. “What are you talking about? What look?”
Alex leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “That look that says you want me to devour you whole. I will, Sasha. Just say the word.”
The word. What word would that be? Yes, please, have your wicked way with me? I wanted that, so bad I could taste it, but I couldn’t. Not with this man and not now. “We, uh, shouldn’t complicate things Alex.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “Things are already pretty damn complicated Sasha. What isn’t, is how much I want you.”
“Dammit,” I muttered and cast a look over my shoulder at the photographers not even pretending to keep a respectful distance from us as they snapped more photos than they could ever possibly sell.
He laughed again before taking my hand and continuing our stroll through the park. His hand was so hot, so big and strong that I found it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
“Do you get a chance to get out like this often without the cameras?”
He laughed but there was no humor in it. “I wish. When I went to visit Dante recently it was nice, it’s easier to relax outside the city without photographers. It was nice too, a lot of high-fives and congratulations but not a lot of autographs and photos. It was…nice.” He sighed the last word and in that moment I empathized with him.
“That must be hard.”
Alex nodded. “I suspect its why the pay is so damn good.”
I frowned. “To make up for the lack of privacy?”
“No,” he laughed. “To turn your home into all the things you can’t do in public without interruption. To fly in a private jet so you can just sleep or read a book. Things like that.”
I smiled up at him, impressed with his ability to make light of a pretty serious invasion of privacy. “That’s a good way of looking at it.”
“You think?”
I nodded. “I do. You could be bitter about it, or you could be like those celebrities you hear about who are secretly awful. You grin and bear it publicly and find ways to enjoy your life outside the public eye.”
“Sounds like you might be impressed.”
“I am,” I shrugged. “It takes a lot of strength to deal with this,” I motioned to the gang of people following us, “and not get angry as hell about it.” I looked up and our gazes locked for a long, hot moment. His gaze was as hot as my skin felt and it had nothing to do with the Texas sun. I couldn’t look away and I didn’t want to, at least not until the telltale camera click ruined the moment.
Again.
Thankfully.
Soon enough Dixie dozed off and I knew it was time to head back to the penthouse. I rubbed the soft tendrils that peeked out from under her hat and smiled. “Time to head back home.”
“So soon?”
I flashed a smile as I nodded. “You’re the one who didn’t want to bring her stroller and we can’t let her head bob around like that. So, ready?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Was that disappointment I heard in his voice? Maybe he was just missing being outside with the sun and without the bother. Yes, that had to be it. I brushed off my own disappointment as we turned towards the photographers, who parted for us though they never stopped snapping photos and made our way out of the park.
Once inside the penthouse, my shoulders finally relaxed. My heart though, raced as Alex’s nearness and the heat of his body swirled around me. I focused on taking Dixie’s sleeping body from the baby carrier, not on his broad chest or masculine scent. “I’ll just put her down for her afternoon nap.” Then, like the coward I was, I rushed away and then I hid in my room like any sane woman would.
I kicked off my sandals and flopped down on the plush bed with a sigh. And a smile. It was nice to get out of the penthouse for awhile without running errands. The photographers weren’t great but the day was still nice and Dixie seemed to love it.
A knock sounded so soft I wasn’t sure if I was hearing things or not, until another knock came. My heart raced as I answered the door knowing that Henrietta was out shopping, which meant my visitor could just be one person. I opened the door and Alex stood there with a shy smile on his face unlike any of his other smiles. “Alex.”