Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Alaric’s fingers slid along the sides of his head as he tilted it to give him just the angle he wanted. The touch had a possessive feel to it that sparked an answering need in Ezra, making him think about his recent realization that he desperately wanted to be loved.
Wait, love?
They were just kissing. Yet that need to have someone feel possessive over him, to cherish him was there, and he kind of hated it. Because no matter how much he pushed it away, it still left him with a spark of…hope.
They kissed for what felt like forever until Alaric finally pulled away only to stare down at him with glittering purple eyes. “Feeling better?”
It took a moment for Ezra to defog from the desire pulsing through his body and mind. “Wait, was this about healing me?”
Alaric actually looked confused for a moment before he smiled. “No, trust me. I kissed you for no other reason than I wanted to. The healing happened naturally because I can’t stand by with you in any sort of pain. My magic is all about balance in nature but it’s also about restoration and compassion. I’m drawn to healing anything or anyone who is ill, but with you, the need kind of takes over.” He paused and ran his thumb over Ezra’s lips. “There’s something very strong here, Ezra. Between us. I’d like to get through this job, then I’d like to take you on a date. Would you be interested in that?”
Ezra nodded, mesmerized by the sensual touch and the way Alaric was looking at him. Heat was there, but so was something else. Affection.
The elf was looking at him with affection, and it did something weird to Ezra’s heart.
Chapter Eleven
Ezra
Their kisses stayed with him the whole time he got ready to go meet with Ezekiel. They’d left a warm feeling in his center, one that was laced with a smidgen of longing he couldn’t get rid of no matter how he tried. There was just something about Alaric that told Ezra that the elf would change everything he’d ever believed about himself. That maybe, just maybe, he was in some way…worthy.
Alaric had certainly looked at him as if he was.
But all that needed to be set aside in his mind. They were about to talk to someone who’d spent his life making Ezra feel about an inch tall.
“I’ll warn you,” he told Alaric. “My brother is a real asshole.”
Alaric just looked at him and raised an eyebrow as they entered the building that housed Ezekiel’s office.
Ezra grinned. “Runs in the family.”
Since he doubted his brother could see past magical glamours, Ezra had asked Alaric to ditch the headband permanently. It had looked silly as hell, but he also just was sexy as hell with those high, pointed ears. And his eyes? The bright purple and gold gave him an otherworldly beauty. But then he was otherworldly. Or was he?
“Do elves come from another realm?”
“No, we are as natural to this world as you are. We’ve always been here, just like all of the other preternaturals.” They’d reached the elevator, and Alaric pushed the up arrow. “Does your brother know we’re coming?”
“I couldn’t get him on the phone. And you’d better prepare yourself. Ezekiel’s hard to deal with. Doesn’t say much, but what he does say comes with very sharp edges.”
“I can handle him.”
His brother’s law offices were on the top floor, of course. Nothing but the best for Ezekiel Forsberg. Everything inside Ezra tightened as he strode down the hallway. As someone who was also used to the best, he had no room to talk. But Ezekiel…well, he was most definitely the epitome of a wealthy man. He even lived in a mansion all by his lonesome, if one didn’t count the various houseworkers in his employ. How could one man make enough of a mess for three maids? Of course, Ezekiel had an almost obsessive problem with dust, so maybe he employed them to fight that continuing issue.
Ezra walked up to the new receptionist. “I’m Ezra, Mr. Forsberg’s brother. Is he in?”
“Hold on, he’s pretty busy,” she said softly as she picked up her phone and told him. When she put down the phone, she frowned. “He only has a few minutes, but you can go in.”
“Who is that?” Ezekiel barked out when Alaric and Ezra entered his office.
“What, no hello first? Aren’t you glad to see me, brother?” Ezra sat in one of the chairs across from the desk.
It took a moment for Ezekiel to look away from Alaric. “Of course. How are you?”
“You mean since I was nearly beaten to death and the hospital couldn’t reach you?” Ezra took a deep breath to settle his stomach. It had twisted up at the memory of nobody but Corbin showing up. “Or did they reach you? Why didn’t you come?”