Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Why would you need to do that?” I asked, confused.
“Your hand, sweetheart. Are you safe? If not, you can tell me. We will help you.”
I was touched by this woman’s generosity, but I assured her I was fine.
“I’m safe now. He took me out of a bad situation. He saved me tonight.”
“Good.” She nodded. “My husband has several clients like Mr. Manwarring. He has been that boy’s personal doctor since he was a child. He is one of the good ones.”
“He really is.” I smiled at the older woman. “Why don’t I get you some clothes?” She disappeared before I could tell her it wasn’t really necessary. She came back a few moments later with a simple, emerald-green sundress.
“Here. It isn’t much. Our daughter left it when she went off to college. It should fit you.”
“Thank you.” I got changed, putting Luc’s jacket over my arm as I met him out in the main room where he and the doctor were discussing something.
“Ready?” I asked, interrupting them.
Both men looked at me, and the way Luc’s eyes heated when he took me in wearing that green dress, I knew he was thinking of the night of the opera and a very different green dress.
“Let’s go.” He offered me his arm. I took it, and he led me outside, sweeping me off my feet when we got to the pavement since I wasn’t wearing shoes.
“Where are we going now?” I asked as he settled into the car next to me.
“Home.”
CHAPTER 28
LUC
Amelia stood in front of the fireplace in my bedroom, rubbing her hands up and down her arms, no doubt attempting to pull her mother’s chill out of her bones.
“No one will ever leave bruises on you again,” I vowed, still biting back the anger and rage bubbling inside of me. “If your mother were a man and not related to you, she’d be dead.”
Amelia didn’t turn to face me but instead stared into the flames. “I’m surprised you actually have a real fire in your room. We were never allowed to use the fireplaces in my home. They were purely for decoration. Mother always said they’d leave soot on our expensive furnishings.”
“I don’t like to be cold,” I confessed. “I spent a large part of my life in frigid and drafty boarding schools. I promised myself that once I was a grown man, I’d never crawl into a cold bed again, shivering as I waited for my body heat to warm the blankets.”
“I’m embarrassed.” Her soft voice stating those words nearly took me out at the knees.
“Never be embarrassed, Amelia,” I said as I closed the distance between us and stood next to her in front of the fire.
When she didn’t look at me, I took hold of her chin to force her to lock eyes with mine. “I will make sure you never feel the way that woman made you feel ever again.”
For a moment, silence stretched out between us, broken only by the crackling of the flames. Then, without warning, Amelia turned and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face in my chest. I hesitated for a moment, then wrapped my own arms around her, pulling her tight.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “No one has ever... fought for me before.”
Without thinking, I leaned in to press my lips to hers. The kiss was gentle at first, but then it deepened as Amelia responded, her hands coming up to tangle in my hair. I broke away and rested my forehead against hers.
Unfamiliar feelings were rushing through me. It wasn’t just the need to possess this woman, to control her, and to dominate.
No... I felt this almost animalistic sensation to protect her at all costs.
I wanted to keep her wrapped up in my arms and never let her go for fear that something bad could happen. I wanted to—
I kissed her again, deeper this time, pouring all my pent-up emotion into the kiss. Amelia explored my body with her hands, pulling me closer to her. She shivered against me, and just as I was about to lift her and carry her to the bed, a knock sounded at the door.
Remembering what I had planned to help lighten the mood and help Amelia relax, I went to the door to retrieve what I had asked for.
When I turned to face Amelia with a silver tray full of everything needed to make s’mores, I said, “We can use that fireplace for more than just warmth.”
Amelia’s eyes lit up as she took in the tray filled with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars. “S’mores?” A smile spread across her face. “I’ve never had those. My mother always said they were too messy and unrefined.”
I chuckled. “Well, I’d say she was missing out. There’s something about the combination of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers that’s just...perfect.”