Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
She trembled, head to toe. The male had no clue what he could do to her with just his breath. “No. Also, before I forget, I’ve never thanked you for the kindness that you allowed the kidnapped females to contact their loved ones with stupid excuses of where they’d gone.” She hadn’t had family, but she did check her email just in case her recent ex-boyfriend had reached out. He hadn’t. Then Lyrica had heard rumors that Vero had done so without his uncle knowing and had taken a beating from several guards afterward. “They hurt you for that. Right?”
His shrug was so casual, so unbothered, it would’ve rolled her clean off the bed if his heated palm hadn’t been spread firmly across her abdomen, holding her in place. The weight of his hand was solid, grounding, and impossible to ignore. “Pain is temporary,” he said, his tone calm, as if discussing the weather. “I’m pleased to have provided the females some relief from worry.”
The way his hand spanned her middle, large and impossibly warm, sent a flicker of something through her—a mix of exasperation and something she refused to name. His words, noble as they might have been, felt at odds with the sheer strength of him anchoring her there, like the storm of his presence was only barely contained.
He needed to continue with the kindness, so she nudged him. “It’s time to allow the kidnapped females freedom.”
“Not yet. The Kurjans aren’t the only species that would kill to keep immortality a secret. We need the females to understand the danger that will follow them if they talk, and we need a plan so they don’t all return to human society at the same time.” When she started to argue, he nipped her nape.
She gasped, her entire body freezing in place as if time itself had stopped. But inside, everything was chaos. Desire rolled through her in an unstoppable wave, leaving a searing trail in its wake. It ignited every nerve, every sensation, zinging them wide awake and painfully alive. Desperately so. Her breaths came quick and shallow, her body betraying her with the intensity of the pull, a hunger she hadn’t expected and couldn’t seem to control.
He continued as if he wasn’t slowly killing her. “In addition, our scientists are tracking what makes a human female enhanced. We’re trying to determine if you have a different genetic code than other humans, or if not, if there’s a mutation on a gene that gives you gifts. The trials aren’t finished, but they will be soon.”
Should the Kurjans have such intimate knowledge of available mates? They’d only been the good guys—if they actually were—for a short time. She shook her head, then paused as teeth gently scraped across her vulnerable nape. A needy moan started in her chest and she sucked it down quickly.
He didn’t move. Did the guy know what his touch did to her? “I overheard you once speaking with the redhead about your ex-boyfriend. Did he hurt you, to become an ex?” The low rumble against her vibrated down her entire body.
It had always been her and her father against the world. “No. Well, not really. He did call me cold.”
“I could kill him for you if you like.” The offer sounded kind.
She blinked. “No. Vero…just no. If the Kurjans are going to enter the modern world, you can’t go around killing people you don’t like.”
“I wouldn’t. I was offering to kill someone who’d obviously hurt you.”
That sincere offer should scare the hell out of her. Truth be told, it did. “Why?” she whispered.
This time he didn’t answer, but he did toe off his boots to land on the floor.
She should go. Really go. But his warmth surrounded her, and for the first time in months, she felt safe. Well, from the outside world. Her eyelids closed on their own.
Several dreamless hours later, a loud roar awakened her right before she was thrown from the bed, careening headfirst toward the nearest wall.
Chapter Thirteen
Lyrica shrieked, and right before impact, two strong hands grabbed her around the waist, whirled her around, and planted her back on the bed. She blinked, the blood rushing through her ears. What had just happened?
“Sorry,” Vero said, backing away, hands up, his blue eyes wide. “I was having a nightmare.”
“You woke up in the nick of time.” She sat, still foggy, her heart galloping. She might have broken her neck if she had smashed into the wall. Thank goodness he’d awakened to grab her. “We must’ve fallen asleep.” She blinked sleep from her eyes, the bed solid beneath her thighs.
He stood near the door as if wanting distance between them. “My apologies. I was concussed.”
Amusement tickled her. “One might consider that statement insulting.”
He cocked his head as if considering her words. “No insult meant.”
Sometimes he was adorable. Her eyes focused and her mouth went dry. At some point in the night, he’d shucked his jeans and shirt, leaving him in faded gray boxers. He was all muscle. One hundred percent. She swallowed.