Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
She looks so tired. Who knows how long this abuse has been going on?
My eyes go over the room. The Feds will know he’s dead, but without a body and no DNA, it’s her word against their gut.
“Daniella?” She turns at the bathroom door. “You tell them to do a rape test, you hear me? You tell them the truth. Don’t take a shower.”
She nods, her nails digging into the molding. “Why would you trust me after everything I’ve done?”
“Everyone needs someone to believe in them,” I say. “You’re worth it.” Granted, I’m putting myself and everyone I love at risk for a broken wing, but even the most damaged can surprise you. Tonight I won’t question my decision. I turn and walk out. The only sounds are my boots moving down the hall, the soft sound of the TV, and the ominous voice in my head telling me that this time I may be wrong.
JULIANNA
Present
Malibu, CA
When I open my eyes, I can tell immediately—something’s wrong. I turn, looking around the expansive, dark room. A long white curtain gently blows at my balcony doorway; cool air from the ocean filters in. The waves crash loudly. I sigh, listening to them roll in and out. That has to be what woke me. I should get up and close the French doors I left slightly open, but it’s chilly and I’m snuggled in. I turn onto my back and see him. Bolting upright, I tug the white down comforter with me.
“What the hell, Ryder? You scared me.” I try to breathe. Not exactly an easy feat since my pulse is racing.
“What’s happened? How long have you been sitting there?” Sitting up straighter, I watch him stand like a mighty warrior, my mind flashing back to when I thought he was Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones.
“Ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies.” His voice is deep, gravelly, and I reach to turn on the light.
“No light.”
My hand freezes. Something’s wrong, but my brain isn’t functioning yet. My eyes shift up to him, and I’m spinning. He’s here and so hot, so incredibly beautiful, that I want to leap into his arms.
“Okay.”
He removes his shirt.
“You’re my light.” He jerks the comforter out of my hand and the cool night hits my already feverish body.
My breath stutters as he kicks off his jeans and stands staring down at me, stroking his cock. I lick my lips as I watch, a slight shiver going up my spine.
“How did you get in here?” My voice sounds far away. Swallowing, I watch him stroke himself, slow but rough, and my nipples tingle and harden painfully.
“You been a good girl while I was gone?”
“Ryder, it’s been three days. Why didn’t you call? I’ve been worried.” I try not to focus on that velvety magical rod in his hand.
“Ah, Julianna.” The bed dips as the moon hits his body. His muscles seem larger. He seems larger, as if he’s somehow grown.
My skin pebbles.
“I told you I had shit to do.”
My heart leaps and butterflies flood my stomach as he pushes me back, and his incredible mouth latches on to my nipple.
Hard.
He bites at it and I moan, arching up, forgetting my need to find out what’s happened. “You like pain,” he murmurs, then licks my nipple. Our eyes lock, and he sucks on my other nipple, my brain digesting that it wasn’t a question.
“I despise pain,” I hiss, tugging at his hair to pull his mouth off me. He lets me, and I fight the need not to arch back into his mouth.
“I thought we were beyond trying to be things we’re not.” His voice sounds almost bored, but his eyes tell me everything. It’s like looking into a wild, dark storm.
I take a breath and he lets me see him. All of him.
Pain, blood, death, and lust swirl around his golden-brown orbs, causing my core to pulse and ache. Jesus, what’s wrong with me? I’m turned on, yet he might be a killer. Somehow that excites me even more.
“You’re right. I do like it with you,” I say, my voice raspy.
He cocks his head, and this energy we have wraps around us as he brutally takes my mouth, and I let him. I need it.
Our tongues twist, and he lets out a deep growl while he deepens the kiss, forcing my head back. His hand wraps around my neck, and desire spikes up to my temples, the ache turning into a dull pulse.
“You’re mine.” His hand tightens.
Fear of the unknown makes me grip his hand and try to pull it off.
He tightens again. “Stop fighting.”
I blink, trying to stay focused on him. Reaching down, he smiles and rubs my slick, wet pussy with his fingers.
“Good girl. You scared?” He replaces his fingers with the tip his cock, rubbing his leaking tip back and forth across my swollen clit.