Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“They eventually closed the gate, but the Guides had them leave this book behind in case another gate opened, which we believe it has now.”
“This has bad idea written all over it. You guys are playing with fire.”
“I hear your frustration, and we’ve had our own discussions around this, but we’ve had positive experiences with the Rift. And what were we supposed to do—lock this book back up and pretend nothing was happening if a monster escaped and started killing people?”
But for someone who’s been so forthcoming, I can tell he’s holding something back. “I can understand wanting to protect this world from monsters, but I still don’t know that you should be trusting some book. What did you mean by positive experiences with the Rift? Is that about being good at getting laid?”
His gaze drifts, his jaw tightening. “That’s not what I’m talking about, but I have my reason, just like Seth and Cody have theirs. They’re all deeply personal, so I’d never share theirs, and the most I’m willing to say about mine right now is that it’s a good fucking reason.”
“But you won’t tell me what it is?”
He shakes his head. “Not tonight, no.”
His entire body language has changed. His shoulders tensed, and he’s not looking at me. Even though he’s not willing to share what it is, I’m tempted to believe that, whatever it is, it’s a damn good reason.
Still, there’s a flaw in his logic. “You’re saying you had good experiences with the Rift, but now there’s this thing that came through and already killed someone.”
“Okay, maybe I should have worded that better. We hadn’t had any bad experiences until those visions started up. But like I said, once that happened, knowing what the original Sinners faced, we knew we couldn’t walk away from this.”
Can’t really fault them for that, not when I’m not willing to walk away now that I know what I know.
I glance at the Sinners’ bible, running my thumb across the page. “I appreciate your sharing all that with me.” He’s holding something back, but I accept he’s done his best to help me understand this wild world I find myself in.
And really, though his answers only created more questions, I have to say, “I think that’s all I can handle for one night.”
“Yeah. I understand that.”
We’re maybe a foot away from each other, but I find myself resenting the space. Like if we could just close it again, then maybe some of this confusion and frustration would dissipate.
But now that I’m being pulled out of our conversation, back into the moment, I notice I’m naked. “Maybe I should put some clothes on.”
“Really? I prefer you like this,” Brad says, doing a once-over as a smug smirk slips across his face.
My dick shifts, which doesn’t escape his attention.
“You don’t need to put your clothes on right away,” he adds.
“Shut up.”
He chuckles, and as I reposition, he gets up and heads around the bed, picking up my boxers and pants and passing them to me. I thank him, and when I slide into them, a rush of disappointment pulses through me—my body’s disapproval of my decision not to have another go.
“Guess I’ll head back to my room now. Figure I can text you if I have anything I’m dying to get an answer to.”
“Yeah, that works.” He pulls on his briefs, which cling to his thighs and ass, reminding me that he is head to toe one hot motherfucker. He pulls his pants up and buttons his fly. “This is probably going to be awkward, but…that thing you brought up about why I haven’t fucked you yet.”
My chest tightens up. “Fucking kill me now. Can we not get into this?”
“You brought it up.”
“I can’t control half the shit I’m saying when we start messing around.”
“But that’s what you want. I know that’s what you want.”
Of course he’d know—it’s all I can think about when we mess around, so I’d be surprised if he’d even need powers to pick up on it. “Don’t rub it in.”
“I’m only mentioning it because I think it would be wise to have a conversation about it rather than get lost in the moment next time.”
Next time. I know there’s gonna be a next time, but damn, it feels good to hear him say it.
“You sounded upset that I haven’t done anything to your ass.”
“Upset seems a generous word for it.” More like hot rage, especially since it feels like he’s denying me something he knows I need.
“Luke, I wasn’t being entirely honest with you while we were messing around.”
“What?”
“I do want you to want that of your own free will. And each time I mess around with you, it feels like we have our wits about us a bit more. I was hoping that at some point you’d know it’s you wanting that, not just this all-consuming lust driving you to make that call.”