Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
He doesn't make me want to run for the hills.
He makes me want to curl into him like a sleepy cat and rub my entire body along his hands.
I want his mouth on my skin, his tongue teasing the most delicate parts of my body.
I want the warmth of his breath on my neck and whispers of all the things he’s capable of doing to me in my ear.
I want him.
And I guess it's par for the course, something I should be used to by now because he doesn't want me.
As a therapist, I know better than to internalize his rejection. It has more to do with him than it does me, but knowing that doesn't take the sting of it away.
I've told him what I need from him, and it's not something he can give me. He was truthful, and I need to find a way to be okay with that.
But... It's impossible. Especially with being in the same house with him and knowing I could run into him at any given minute. It's the main reason I've stayed mostly secluded in the room they've given me for the time being.
When I told them I was going to go home, they urged me to stay there long enough for them to set up a security system at my house, and I know that's supposed to make me feel better, but I doubt it actually will. I have serious intentions of moving out of that house, but I know that will take time. I just pray nothing happens to me before I can make the transition to a new place.
The knock on the door startles me, making me jolt. When I look down at Kiva, she doesn't even bother to lift her head. She simply moves her eyes in that direction. I don't know if she's getting sick or if she just feels so comfortable and safe here that she doesn't feel the need to alert me to a possible intruder. It doesn't bode well for when we return home.
I climb off the bed, running my hands over my hair in case it's Roman and he has changed his mind about where we stand. I frown at the sight of Zeus standing in the hallway.
"Not the reception I was expecting," he mutters as I look up at him.
The guy is a giant, and although he could probably bench-press me with one arm, there's no fear where he's concerned. I don't want him to touch me, and I make every effort to avoid that from happening, but I don't feel like I'm in danger around him.
He has kind green eyes that shine with humor right now even as he expresses his disappointment in my reaction.
"Sorry," I whisper. "I'm a little on edge with everything that has happened."
Of course, I'm including my fallout with Roman, but it's not something I'd go into detail with him. Hell, I feel so dejected and jaded right now, there's a good chance I won't even bring it up in my next session with Dr. Moore.
"That's understandable," he says taking another step back to give me some room. "I'm here for your lesson."
I snap my eyes up to him, my mind racing with a million things.
"Lesson?"
Does Roman think I need what I was putting myself through at the club, and he has sent someone else here to tie me up and touch me?
I swallow the jagged lump forming in my throat.
"Shooting," Zeus says, and it makes me even more confused.
"Shooting what?"
"A paper target to start," Zeus replies. "I don't think you're quite ready for a live target yet."
I cringe at the idea of shooting something to kill it.
"You have no idea what I'm talking about," he mutters. "I figured Jersey would've let you know."
"It hasn't been mentioned to me," I say trying my best to sound diplomatic.
"Come with me," he says. "Let the dog roam the house. I don't have ear protection for a dog, and it's going to be loud."
I step out of my room, leaving the door cracked so Kiva can get out if she decides to get up from her nap anytime soon, and follow Zeus down the hallway toward the stairs.
I keep my eyes locked on his back, fighting the urge to look toward Roman's room, celebrating in my head when we make it to the staircase without my eyes darting in that direction.
"We're doing it here?" I ask when he opens a door in the kitchen that leads down to the basement.
"Where else would we go?" Zeus asks right before he takes the first step downward. "We built a one-lane shooting range here at the cabin. We have to keep our skills in prime fighting condition."
I've heard hints more than once about what they do, but not one person has sat me down and explained exactly what it is that they're involved in. I get the feeling it's a need-to-know basis, and I'll never be in a position that requires me to know anything about it.