Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“Easy for you to say,” I mutter under my breath.
“No. It’s not. But I have mastered a set of skills that can help, and if you feel comfortable, I’d like to teach you those skills.”
I nod.
“I want you to close your eyes, and once you have them closed, take a deep breath in, feeling the calming air fill your lungs.”
I do as he prompts. Inhaling in and exhaling out.
“Focus on allowing each breath to come out naturally.”
His hands slide across my back, bringing heat to my ribs. “Expand your diaphragm.”
From somewhere in the room, I hear what I can only describe as a growl, and then Emmet’s hands are off my ribs, and his front is no longer touching my back.
“Out!” Gideon’s voice bellows.
My eyes open just in time to see a very angry Gideon grabbing Emmet and practically throwing him into the hallway.
“Gideon,” I say, but he’s not listening to me. He’s already out of the room.
My pulse is beating erratically. What the hell just happened?
Before I can figure it out, Gideon strides back into the room, his face dark and cloudy with emotions.
“How can you send him off? I didn’t learn shit.” I pull my arms tight across my chest, all while glaring at him.
“You don’t need him.” His jaw is tight, and anger strains his voice. “I’ll figure out another way.”
“What the hell, Gideon,” I chide.
“I didn’t like when he touched you.” He strides across the room until he’s standing right in front of me.
“I don’t see what your problem is.”
Gideon’s blue eyes seem almost black right now, the pupils dilated and reflecting his emotions.
He takes a step closer. I take a step back, but I have nowhere to go.
My back hits the wall.
I’m caged in.
His gaze holds me captive as his hand lifts toward my face. Then Gideon’s fingertips trace my jaw, and my skin turns hot beneath his touch.
He steps forward, closing the space between us, his forehead resting against mine. “What am I going to do with you?”
I tilt my head back so that our gazes lock.
Pain.
Restraint.
Fear?
Why does he look at me like that?
I have so many things I want to ask him, but before I can say a word, he slams his mouth on mine.
Taking my breath away.
Gideon bites my bottom lip, and my mouth parts for him.
His tongue sweeps against mine, eliciting a moan from me.
Gideon tastes of scotch, dark and heady. As he kisses me, I grow drunk off him.
Our tongues tangle.
It’s madness.
He devours me like he can’t get enough of my flavor.
It’s pure chaos, and I don’t want it to end.
But it does.
As fast as it starts, it comes to an abrupt halt.
Gideon pulls away. A deep groan rushes past his lips.
The first thing I notice is that his blue eyes are still hazy with want, but also, a fine line is forming between his brows.
I want to ask him why he stopped, why he looks angry, but before I can, he’s striding off through the door, out of the room, without a backward glance.
What the hell?
30
SASHA
When I crawled into Gideon’s bed after the Emmet fiasco, he wasn’t there.
I’ve tossed and turned all night. Without him beside me, I couldn’t sleep.
Days later, he’s still not here, and it bothers me how much that upsets me.
Where is he sleeping?
I’ve hardly spoken to him since the day he kissed me.
Four days ago.
When he practically ran out of the room in an angry huff.
He’s totally avoiding me.
After he got angry with Emmet, his emotions were all over the place, but then he was gone.
And now I’m confused.
Every day since he said he would clear the wing, it has been, just like he promised, so that I can play. He had kept his word, and because of that, the music came.
The only problem is he doesn’t come to bed anymore. Why?
He might not have known it, but every night, when he held me, I enjoyed it.
Then in the morning, he’s gone.
Evaporated like a dream.
A mirage I have imagined.
I climb out of bed and make my way back to my old room. It’s become my sanctuary. Familiarity in an unknown place. But I find as I sit here, I feel utterly alone. It’s a feeling I know well. One I’ve dealt with throughout the years, especially in Roman’s absence.
When he was battling his addictions, he didn’t come around, except when he needed something. It was such a lonely time for me.
I stand and make my way out of my room and head to the kitchen to grab a bite. Really, I’m searching for him.
He’s a busy man, running both a legitimate business and an illegal one, and he’s probably tied up, but I want to try to find him. I’m still bothered by the fact that it’s been radio silence for the past few days.
Four days.