Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Ethan shut the door behind us.
The lock clicked.
The scent of leather filled the space.
Under the waiter’s mask, a huge smile spread on my face. “If this moment gets repeated again, this is where we should start.”
“Why?”
“I want to read some of these books.” I slowly headed over to the table, making sure not to drop any of the hors d’oeuvres. Once there, I set the tray down and then pointed to the fireplace. “Which one opens the secret tunnel?”
“The stone wall on the left.”
“But, it has been stuck?”
“For a long time.”
I scanned the space, not seeing any windows for the killer to stand outside and shoot me. After I assured my safety, I returned to the amazing collection of books. I felt like Belle in Beauty and the Beast, the moment she first walked into that library. I almost spun around like some Disney princess and giggled. Instead, I did my best to maintain my composure. “I love this.”
Ethan made it to me and put his tray of champagne down. “So, you’re impressed with my library?”
“Impressed?” I snorted. “I’m close to having an orgasm.”
Chuckling, he pulled his mask off and slung it on a leather couch near him. “Then, we will definitely begin here next time.”
I took off my mask, placed it on the table, and headed over to the first wall. “There must be hundreds of books in here.”
“Thousands.”
“Oh my. Very impressive.” I made it to one wall and touched the soft leather bound books. “I could spend a lifetime in here and never be upset.”
He grabbed two flutes of champagne and walked over. “You will spend a lifetime in here.”
“Will I?” I turned to him. “What makes you say that? You think we will never escape this time loop?”
“We will leave the time loop, but you will never escape me.” Ethan handed me a glass of champagne.
“Hmmm.” I took the glass and looked at the golden liquid. “You think this will be safe to drink?”
“Definitely.”
Sighing, I studied the fizzing bubbles rising to the surface. “I think you’re right.”
Ethan raised his glass of champagne. “To getting out of escaping a killer and even. . .escaping time.”
“I will toast to that.”
We clinked our glasses against the other and both took a sip.
The smooth, cool liquid slipped along my tongue. A little bitter, and a little sweet, but definitely no poison. I savored the flavor.
He lowered his glass and watched me. “No poison.”
“None at all.”
A sad smile spread across his face. “I can’t imagine how you must feel.”
“Like you do now. Surely, you’re nervous and freaked out.”
He shook his head. “I’m not, but then I’m stuck in time with you.”
Warmth spread across my skin.
“I couldn’t think of a better dilemma, Maya.”
A silly grin hit me. “Every time I meet you in this loop, I. . .fall deeper for you.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. It’s shocking how amazing you are every damned time.”
“Perhaps, we are meant for each other?”
A shiver ran up my spine and prickled the hair on my neck. And, there was not an ounce of fear in this shiver. It was all desire and heat. Love and searing lust.
It was all about a chance at a future with him.
It was about tomorrow, but not just any tomorrow. A tomorrow with him, filled with passionate promises and romantic dreams.
My heart raced with the tantalizing possibilities.
He watched me, surely knowing what was going on in my mind. How many times did women gaze at him longingly, yearning for a perfect happy ending with him?
Ten or twenty times?
Maybe, even more.
I cleared my throat and began to stroll off.
Quickly, he caught my arm and pulled me to him. “Where are you going?”
“I was going to check out more books.”
“Not now.”
“No?”
“No.” He captured my lips, sweeping me away.
His kiss was fire.
It was the forge, the crucible, that melted the metal of my last bits of resolve.
His lips and his tongue pulled me into the kiss, and his passion lifted me away.
Heat rose from deep in my core as I fell into his arms and let the glass slip from my fingers.
It shattered on the floor near my cape.
He groaned against my lips.
The sound of more glass shattering echoed in the air, telling me that his glass had fallen as well.
His arm closed around my waist. His tongue dove in and out of my mouth, desperate and hungry.
A soft moan left me. Hot desire uncoiled between my thighs. It was a heatwave, wet and wild with longing.
My body, my heart, my soul yearned for his touch and I swore to God, I craved him in every way imaginable.
If this time loop was now our life—our only existence—then let me be lost in his arms forever.
Ethan moved his hands down my back. The tease of his touch made me shiver some more.
His mouth pulled away from mine and he trailed kisses down my neck. His teeth grazed my flesh. Everywhere he touched me, I burned.