Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
One of the men went directly to Pandora, greeting her with a gentle touch on her cheek. I remembered another of Nicolette’s warnings and made sure the notice I took of him was fleeting. I was surprised this was the man beneath the deer mask. He didn’t look like I imagined.
He was the same height as Alexander with a tad bigger build, double the tattoos, and a head of dark, slightly wavy hair. His deep-set eyes were an odd shade of forest green and stood out against tanned skin. A sharp jawline and high cheekbones gave him an intensity that was hard to ignore. Before him, Pandora’s body language remained reserved, her hands resting demurely in her lap, hinting at a cautious awareness.
The third and final man was the epitome of arrogance. His every step radiated a self-assuredness that bordered on superiority. His features were sharply defined, an air of confidence etched into his very being. His eyes, dark and penetrating, held a hint of amusement as they met Keres' barely concealed scorn. As he drew nearer, her posture stiffened, a subtle but tangible sign of her discomfort.
Yet, despite her apparent aversion, she managed to maintain her outward composure. The man, seemingly unperturbed by her obvious disdain, leaned in with an almost taunting smirk playing on his lips and whispered something in her ear that even I couldn’t hear, resulting in her outright scowling.
It was clear he relished the power dynamics at play, thriving on the tension he elicited. It reminded me of a certain someone. The commanding aura surrounding these men mirrored that of Alexander, whose attention had turned towards Seraphine.
"How did they fare today?" he questioned with an authoritative tone.
"Exceptionally well, Diabolos," she replied, her voice laced with a deep respect.
My gaze caught on Selena, observing her as she watched him.
This went beyond reverence; it hinted at something deeper, more personal. When Alexander acknowledged her with a nod, her response was an almost hesitant whisper.
Their brief exchange piqued my curiosity. Now that I thought about it, Selena seemed like she would be a suitable match for him. I wasn’t sure if he had a type, but with her light blue eyes fringed by thick lashes, full, rose-painted lips and wavy, chestnut hair that reached the small of her back, she was undeniably pretty.
Our eyes met for a fleeting moment, revealing a glimpse of fear before she quickly averted her gaze. I couldn’t be reading into that right. She couldn’t possibly have been afraid of me. Alexander followed my line of sight, scrutinizing Selena with a neutral expression. He walked to where I was sitting and reached out, taking my hands in his, coaxing me to stand.
I rose slowly, acutely aware of every pair of eyes in the room now fixated on us. He loomed over me, his height and the broad expanse of his shoulders enveloping me in an intimate cocoon despite the audience.
“You’re almost prettier now than you were this morning.” He tilted my head back, his fingers deftly tracing the line of my jaw, his eyes holding mine in a silent conversation, a multitude of unspoken words.
I took a silent breath, intent on keeping my wits, and instantly wished I hadn’t. His potent cologne was a sensory reminder I didn’t need.
"I missed you, deliciae," he murmured, his voice a soft caress against the charged silence of the room. Why was everyone watching us? His hand shifted, encircling my throat in a gentle but firm hold. Then he leaned down, his lips finding mine in a kiss that was both tender and domineering.
A flurry of emotions fought inside me.
With all eyes on us, I knew better than to push him away. Taking initiative from Keres, I forced away my initial stiffness and reluctantly yielded as I returned the heated kiss, the acute awareness of our audience heightening the intensity of the moment.
His tongue stroked inside my mouth the same way it did when his face was between my legs. I suppressed a moan and focused on anything but the ache he’d effectively created. I knew this kiss was another declaration, a public affirmation of his possession and my place by his side, an act that left no room for doubt or denial.
A light chuckle broke the silence as the others moved away. The sound had me instinctively trying to withdraw. Alexander tightened his grip on my throat, keeping me cemented in place.
After he finally released me from the kiss, he gently rubbed his thumb over my lower lip.
His touch then drifted down, lightly brushing against my hip before he took my hand, interlacing our fingers and letting go of my throat. As he turned to address Seraphine again, I slowly noticed that the room had emptied, save for her, Selena, and us. A flush crept up my cheeks.