Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
I feel my pulse tick up a notch, and a part of me is already reliving the few short hours I spent with her. The thought of showing her my world, free from the glittering façade of Hollywood, thrills me more than I care to admit. I’ve got so many ideas for how I want to spend those two days together, getting to know each other beyond the playful veneer.
Me
I plan to.
It’s a little enticement intended to keep her on the edge until I can finally sweep her off her feet this weekend.
What is it about this woman that has me acting like a giddy fool? I scoff at myself, recalling a time when I was all about the business, no-nonsense, keep-your-head-down-and-power-through-the-bullshit kind of life. But Eve’s shattered that carefully constructed state of mind with nothing more than a smirk and a challenge in her eye, and I find myself wanting more.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, feeling the comfort of her words nestled against the dramatic rush of a week that's drawing closer to what I know will be one hell of a weekend. It's a promise and a dare wrapped into one—something intoxicating in its simplicity and thrilling in its implication.
Whatever comes, I know it won’t be dull. Not with Eve by my side, ready to explore what’s happening between us. The hours may still drag, but the wait will be worth it. She’s a flame, and I’m craving the burn, all fucking in with her. The game is on.
We spend the rest of the week getting to know each other over text and with nightly calls.
Finally, the long, torturous week drags its ass across the finish line. My heart pounds as I pull into the parking lot behind Eve’s art gallery. When she told me she lives in an apartment above the gallery, I started to worry about her safety. To ease my mind, I called a friend of mine and arranged to have extra cameras and a more advanced alarm system installed when we get back from our trip.
I step out of the car, and I’m embarrassed to say my goddamn palms are sweaty. I’ve got big plans for my siren this weekend.
I walk up to the front entrance, adjusting my dark sunglasses on my face. The late afternoon crowd on Main Street is thinning as the work week comes to an end.
As I stride toward the entrance, I settle into my grumpy persona, but the truth is, I can hardly contain my excitement. I push open the door, and my senses are immediately engulfed by the vibrant energy of the gallery. Paintings pulsate with life, colors explode across the walls, and the atmosphere hums with creativity.
“You’re early!” Eve calls out, popping her head out from the back room. She’s wearing a fitted black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, and my breath catches in my throat. Damn, she looks gorgeous. The way her smile lights up the room drives all the remaining tension from my frame.
I swagger over, trying to play it cool, but she sees right through me. “I couldn’t wait to see you.”
My words seem to shock her silent. Her mouth opens and closes a few times before she swallows. “Oh.”
“I’ll just hang out until you’re ready to go.”
“It’s been a quiet day.” She shrugs. “I’ll close up a little early and we can get on our way.”
“Where’s your luggage? I’ll load it up while you finish here.” I’m ready to have her all to myself.
She points to the door on the back wall. “It’s in my office. I won’t be long.”
While I load her luggage into the back of my SUV, she turns off the lights, grabs her purse, and turns on the alarm system.
As we reach my car, I open the door and help her into the vehicle. Her breath brushes across the side of my face as I lean over her to hook the seatbelt. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I can’t resist the urge to place a soft kiss on her cheek. The light contact sends sparks firing through my blood, nearly bringing me to my knees.
Once we’re both settled in, I drive through the winding roads leading toward the private airstrip. Conversation flows easily between us, though we talk about nothing important.
We pull up to the airstrip, and sure enough, the small plane sitting on the runway looks ready to take off at a moment’s notice. Once we have our luggage loaded, we settle into the plush seats, and I can’t deny the thrill bubbling beneath my skin.
The engines roar to life, and as the plane begins to speed down the runway, I catch her glancing at me, looking as shellshocked as I feel.
Chapter 6
Eve
As the plane climbs higher, rolling above the patchwork of fields and tiny houses, I can’t shake this feeling of being out of my depth. Typically, I’m a confident woman who strides through life like I own the place. But this? This feels like a whole new terrain I’m not sure I’m equipped to navigate.