Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
He spent the next two hours watching her. Savoring every look. Every word she exchanged with the author when the woman opened her talk up for questions. Azelie was intelligent, and the questions she asked were pertinent to what they were learning, not about the future of the Celine James books. Many of those in attendance wasted their time with the author asking about characters in her books and where she was taking her series rather than learning from her. Azelie was very focused on pursuing her knowledge, and her questions were direct.
Maestro found himself fascinated by her. He could watch her all day and never get bored. She might have an affinity for numbers, a way to see patterns in them, but it was apparent, not only to him but to Celine James, that she was also very gifted with her creative side.
During the break, when they were getting food from the two long tables, Celine went right up to Azelie and began a private conversation with her. Maestro immediately took her plate and indicated she go with the author to a small table, and he’d bring her food as well as something to drink. One of the employees was already getting Celine food.
Once he placed the plate and glass in front of her, he removed himself to give them privacy, but he took a seat facing Azelie so he could read her lips and expression. He wanted to ensure Zelie was having a perfect experience. That was what was most important to him: that he gave her things she’d never had. Everything, including clothes and jewelry, but mostly experiences.
He had no doubt that once he took her to bed, she would want more, but he didn’t want their relationship to be all about sex. He’d been with countless women. None had meant anything to him. He’d been taught to use sex to get close to a target. Azelie may have started out as a target, but she certainly wasn’t one now.
He loved watching her face light up. His sun. He called her Solnyshkuh. His little sun. She was. He had never felt sunlight on him or in him. Azelie had changed that for him. He’d never noticed how good a woman could smell. Or how her curves were so completely feminine, and his body was utterly masculine. She was a shining light. Her smile lit up the room. Celine James was drawn to her not only because she was intelligent and talented, but also because she was a bright star.
The moment the author got up to make her rounds in the room, several other participants hurried over to crowd around his woman. Maestro wasn’t certain he liked that. Two of the five were male. One had a very hungry look on his face. Maestro unfolded himself from the fairly comfortable chair. The moment he did, he drew attention. Physically, he was a big man. Lots of muscle. Tattoos drifting up his neck. A few scars. He knew women found him attractive and most men avoided him.
The moment he stood, Azelie’s gaze was on him. She’d checked with him several times during her visit with Celine James, her eyes on him and a lift of her eyebrow asking if he was okay. He had deliberately put off the vibes for others to stay away. When he did that, he might as well have been surrounded by a wall. He didn’t want anyone to take his attention from Azelie.
It was important to him that she enjoy herself. If Celine had made her uncomfortable, he would have known, and he would have immediately shut down the conversation. Right now, it was important to him that the men move away from her, particularly Hungry Eyes. He didn’t want to be the jealous idiot, but he had little trust in him.
She stood up in the middle of the small crowd that had gathered around her. Blue eyes fixed on him, she broke out into a welcoming, excited smile and practically flung herself into his arms. She gave a little leap at the end of her run and wrapped her arms around his neck, winding one leg around his thigh at the same time. Zero hesitation about showing the others in the room who she was with.
“Thank you, Andrii. This has been the best time ever. I can’t believe you did this for me.”
She lifted her face up to his and he brushed her lips lightly. The touch was featherlight, but he felt the jolt all the way to his soul. His cock reacted the way it seemed to whenever she was near. He fought for control, willing the threatening erection to stand down.
“We could go home,” she suggested. “I could show you my appreciation.”
He was tempted. How could he not be? She sounded shy and yet fearless at the same time. The combination of sultry temptress and sweet innocent was almost too alluring to pass up. The event had another hour and a half to go. Celine James had more to give to those who had paid to hear her advice. She planned on critiquing three pages of each of their works. Maestro wanted that for his woman.