Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
His hand was twice the size of hers. It made her feel delicate and…girly. Gross. She hated feeling girly.
“Come.” He turned and headed into the hallway, keeping his grip on her hand.
She followed, glancing around. To her left was an inviting great room, though she could only see a fraction of it because they headed across the hallway and into what she had to assume was the master bedroom.
His furniture was huge. So was his body. No way could he sleep on an ordinary bed. He would need something longer, wider, and higher.
She barely took in the mahogany furniture, richly painted maroon walls, and plush maroon rugs before he led her into the bathroom.
Leah gasped. It was the biggest bathroom she’d ever seen. There was a walk-in shower and a tub—both of which would easily fit two grown people.
Elias stopped in the middle of the room and rounded behind her. He set his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward the dual sinks. “The one on the left is lower. That will be your vanity. The drawers and cabinets are filled with things… Well, I can’t take credit for anything in those drawers. My brother’s mate picked out most of it.”
His tone was odd as though he were apologizing. It confused her.
He lifted a hand and pointed toward a separate room with a toilet. “Go potty. I’ll wait out here.”
Leah shuddered as she rushed into the small enclosure. She felt nervous about the idea of him waiting right outside the room, but at least it had a door, and it was certainly better than the fear she’d had that he might insist on diapering her.
She had a million questions about what he expected from her, but first she needed to pee before she wet herself.
After gathering her dress and the layers of shifts underneath, she quickly used the toilet, wiped, and flushed. When she stepped back out into the main bathroom, Elias was next to the sink he’d just told her would be hers. He had two drawers open, and he was leaning over them, examining the contents.
He glanced at her and shut the drawers. His face was heated, the pink tinge making her think he was embarrassed.
She hurried to take up the spot when he moved to one side so she could wash her hands.
Elias crowded her the entire time, leaning a hip against the counter, standing inches from her. He crossed his arms. “I have a confession to make.”
She dried her hands on the towel and turned toward him, surprised. “What’s that?”
His brows were drawn together. He was nervous. Worried. Hesitant. Finally he licked his sexy lips. “I didn’t believe our connection would be as powerful as it is. I thought this entire practice of collecting a mate from the valley was barbaric and absurd. I’ve been a total dick about it for weeks, not doing the things I was expected to do to prepare for your arrival. I did not stock these drawers or anything in your nursery. I let my family and friends do it for me because I was in denial.”
She couldn’t believe his words. She hadn’t expected him to feel the same hesitation she’d felt. If he could be brave enough to reveal that to her, she could be brave enough to admit the same.
She drew in a deep breath. “If this is confession time, then I should tell you I didn’t believe it either.” Leah cringed. “I didn’t want to go through with it at all. I’m glad you referred to the entire thing as barbaric because I’ve said that for years. If I could have gotten away with not showing up this morning, I would have.”
He gave her a slow smile. “Yeah?”
This conversation was strange and oddly bonding. She glanced down at her dress. “I didn’t even try this dress on until two nights ago.”
“It’s beautiful. Do you not like it?”
“I don’t like what it represents. I feel like a sacrificial virgin with no choice but to jump into a fiery volcano in order to preserve my family name.”
He laughed, hard. “I like that. I like your spunk, too. I guess you’re not a meek woman who lets people walk all over you.”
She shook her head. “Never. I mean…” Perhaps she should tone it down a bit. She was being disrespectful.
He uncrossed his arms and held out a hand again. “Come. Let’s go sit outside on the deck. We can talk. Get to know each other, Little firecracker.”
She stared at his hand yet again, concerned about the effects of touching him. When she lifted her gaze, she found one of his brows lifted. She cleared her throat. “Stuff happens when I touch you.”
He chuckled again. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes made him look kind and…trustworthy. He dropped his hand, surprising her. “You’re right, but for the record, stuff is happening between us even without us touching. It’s so powerful it’s bringing me to my knees. I can’t decide if I’m furious with Fate for controlling my emotions and physical reactions or if I should thank Her for the amazing life I know I’m going to have now that you’re in it.”