Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
My anxiety calmed, but then the guilt came.
I closed my eyes. “David. . .”
“Yes?”
“I froze.”
He tightened his hold. “Our bodies have a natural system—fight, flight, or freeze. It is a natural response when we feel threatened.”
“But Lunita was not threatening me.”
“People can experience this response whether the danger is real or not, and especially for perceived threats.” David touched my chin and lifted my view to him.
I opened my eyes and took in his chiseled face.
“Do not feel bad for freezing. Any rational person would perceive Lunita as a threat, even if she is not coming their way.”
“But—”
“Keep your head up and your heart strong. Do not second guess your actions this evening.”
I blinked.
“Tell me this.” He leaned his head to the side. “Do you want to leave Italy now? Are you scared to be around the Mouse? I could secretly work out a way for you to leave without anyone—”
“No. Never.” I shook my head. “I do not want to leave Emily's side.”
He studied me.
“That is the last thing I am thinking about. I want to be there for her.” Then, I frowned. “Wait. Do. . .you think I should not be next to her?”
“Of course not. I am trying to look after you and consider your safety.”
I let out a long breath. “I. . .care for her, David. Being there for Emily has taught me about myself and given my life purpose. I will only leave if she is done with me.”
He curved his lips into a smile.
“I am just mad that I was not truly there for her. I understand what you are saying about the body's response to fear and freezing, but. . .I was afraid. Terrified. I should not have frozen. I should have been more courageous—”
“Courage does not mean you do not get afraid. It means you will not let your fear stop you, and it sounds like. . .not even Lunita can scare you away from Emily’s side.”
The elevator hummed to a stop.
The doors opened.
He released me.
Immediately, I missed his touch.
We stepped off together, and he placed his hand against the small of my back. Calm washed over me again.
We walked down the hallway, I rubbed my face with both hands. “You know what? I am better now. I can go back down there and—”
“No.”
I looked at him. “David, I am fine now—”
“You are taking the night off.”
“I will not.”
His hand glided against the small of my back, sending shockwaves throughout my whole body.
I stopped walking.
“Maxwell and Kazimir will be hovering over Lunita like protective helicopters for the rest of the evening.” With that soothing hand, he tugged me forward. “Rest because they will just tell you the same thing that I am saying.”
I gritted my teeth and continued walking.
A low chuckle left him.
“What is so funny, David?”
“When the Lion told me that you had gotten on the elevator with Lunita, I raced past him. My whole stomach caved in.” He shook his head as if in disbelief. “All I kept thinking was that. . .I may have lost. . .”
“What?”
We stopped at my door.
“Never mind. I was being dramatic.”
“What did you think you lost?”
He gave me a sad smile. “I thought I lost the possible love of my life. I was cursing God the whole time we ran down those stairs.”
Love of his life?
I widened my eyes.
Those alluring blue eyes penetrated me like a thousand arrows, and I found I enjoyed the pain. I swore the air around us went still.
“Blue, I have been with many women, and. . .none ever matched up. . .and always I searched for this special type of woman.”
My heart boomed in my chest.
“I yearned for the sort of woman who did not need a man. Instead, men needed her, and not just for sex, but so much more. A true. . .completely breathtaking woman. Strong, powerful, and deadly.”
My heart stirred from his confession.
“The first time I saw you in Paris, I was intrigued, but the Lion needed his kidnapped mouse. I had to focus.” He shrugged. “Then, we returned to Moscow, and you began to rise higher in Harlem Crew's ranks. Men whispered about your sexy body and lush scent, and I pulled back, not wanting to be grouped with them, not wanting to be another man lusting after you.”
My breathing grew heavy.
“It was hard. Now we are in Italy and more and more, I am finding it difficult to not. . .”
I stiffened, waiting for his next words.
“To not take you. Claim you and thoroughly make you mine.”
I bit my lip.
He moved his gaze to my mouth. “Do not bite that sexy lip. Instead, let me do that.”
Shock and lust barreled into me.
He leaned in, and there was a sharp intake of his breath.
Barely an inch separated us.
My breasts rose and fell in time to my rapid breathing.