Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Alicia did.”
“So did Abigail. So did I, for nine years, in case you forgot.”
I arrive in time to find the two men standing toe-to-toe with each other. Jonathan’s the first to look my way.
His eyes instantly darken to a terrifying colour. I remain frozen in place from the mere force of it.
What? What is it?
I stare down at myself and realise that not only have I come down barefoot, but I’m also wearing the flimsy nightgown from last night. My hair must appear like a mess and so must my face.
In my attempt to stop whatever war they were going to unleash, I’ve shown up like this.
Layla catches up to me, panting. “People with long legs suck.”
“Why didn’t you tell me I came down looking like this?” I hiss at her.
“I tried. You didn’t listen.”
I’m about to say something else when a large presence appears in front of me.
Jonathan.
I don’t know why my heart skips a violent beat whenever he looks down at me with those steel eyes. It’s like I’m the only thing that matters in his environment and he doesn’t hesitate to show that fact.
Then why did he regard me last night as if I were insane?
Shooing that thought away, I take a moment to appreciate how elegant and larger than life he appears in his black tailored suit. Seriously, if he ever considers a career in modelling, he’ll ace it — like everything in his life, basically.
I never knew I had a thing for men in suits until Jonathan came along. Or more accurately, he’s the only man in a suit that I have a thing for.
Though a thing is putting it mildly. My nipples tighten against the thin nightgown at the view, and something tells me it’s not due to the cold air coming from the entrance.
Jonathan removes his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders, and then he picks me up and carries me in his arms.
Just like that.
Just like it’s a given.
A soft gasp leaves me, but the sound is swallowed by how warm he feels, how good he smells.
Will I ever get used to this? Worse, will I ever forget about this?
Layla makes a face at Jonathan’s back, obviously still holding a grudge about the way he chased her away. Ethan’s lips pull up into a mysterious smile as he watches us like a cat who’s caught a mouse.
Jonathan takes me back to the room, his strides firm and purposeful. He walks with the same confidence he exudes — there’s no hint of doubt. But this time, it’s almost as if he’s angry.
He lowers me to the ground, my bare feet getting swallowed by the plush carpet, then he kicks the door shut.
When he faces me, I’m pinned in place by the darkness in his gaze.
It’s almost as if he’s been saving it and he’s now unleashing it.
By the time he speaks, his voice is clipped and non-negotiable. “Don’t you ever, and I mean ever, show up dressed like that in front of Ethan or any other man. Is that understood?”
The possessiveness in his tone turns my skin hot and tingly.
“I said, is that fucking understood, Aurora?”
All I can do is nod.
Seeming satisfied with the answer, the edge slightly leaves his features. “Why did you come down anyway?”
“I…I didn’t want you to fight with Ethan first thing in the morning.”
The slight ease vanishes and he closes down like the vault he is. “Worried about him?”
When I don’t answer, he reaches me in two long strides and wraps a hand around my throat. “Are you?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
“I…you…you barely slept last night.” My lips tremble. “Right?”
His expression is unreadable, and I expect him to confirm that I’m insane, but he loosens his hold on my throat. “Right.”
Right. I didn’t make that up. He did sleep beside me. He wasn’t disgusted with me to the point he didn’t want to touch me.
Does that mean I didn’t make up those voices either?
“Come on.” He takes me by the wrist so as not to hurt my palm. “Let me help with the shower so you can get ready.”
“Get ready for what?”
“Don’t you have to go to work?”
A long breath leaves me. Not because he’s giving me back my freedom — because, in a way, I knew Jonathan would keep his word — but because of the fact that he didn’t bring up the part where he thinks I’m crazy.
But then he stares at me over his shoulder and gives me that look again.
The pity.
The disappointment.
He…he’s going to get rid of me, isn’t he?
Just like Alicia.
13
Aurora
Even though I go to work, I can’t concentrate.
All I keep thinking about is those voices grating on my nerves and whispering things like:
She’s losing her mind, just like Alicia.
What makes it worse is the way Jonathan looked at me. And then he didn’t attempt to touch me during my shower today. His movements were anything but sexual with the sole purpose of helping me bathe.