Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
He knew I needed space. So he gave me a larger-than-life cabin.
This is too much.
“What do you think?”
“It’s—it’s amazing.” I can’t hide the excitement in my voice. I’m practically gushing all over him about this trip, and when he smiles broadly at my reaction, I realize how beautiful he is.
He doesn’t smile often, but when he does, he lights up. Illuminating the room. I have to look away, but I don’t want to.
I don’t want him to understand what he does to me when he’s like this. When he’s boyish and charming.
I school my features, biting my upper lip to stop myself from smiling. The moment I do, I see his reaction. His jaw tightens. His forehead furrows. He doesn’t like it.
“Be ready at six. Wear the dress that’s been laid out on your bed.”
My eyes narrow in on him as I contemplate whether to balk at his orders or simply retort with a bit of flirting.
“Fine,” I say, batting my eyelashes just a touch. “As long as you don’t come into my room.” That makes his lips split, and then, just like that, he walks off. Not saying a word, as if he didn’t just smirk at me. As if he isn’t aware of what that smirk did to me.
My legs feel like jelly, and my stomach is filled with butterflies.
One smile from him has the effect of a tsunami on my system, and if I’m not careful, he could wreck me for good.
27
SASHA
Just as Gideon said, I find a dress laying on my bed. It’s beautiful. White with soft pleats and made out of the finest chiffon. I lift the soft material up and place it against my torso.
It feels like a dream in my hands, and I wonder how it will look on.
Placing the dress back onto the bed, I head into the shower to wash away the lingering filth that always comes with traveling. I won’t put on that dress until I’m clean.
I stretch my arms above my head and yawn. Even though we flew private, I’m still exhausted. It’s always a process to travel, no matter what mode of transportation you take.
The hot water helps to reinvigorate me, and I take my time luxuriating in it.
When I’m finally done and feeling like myself, I step out of the shower, and that’s when I notice that beside my towel is a big fluffy robe.
This man thought of everything.
My lips part into a large smile.
Now that I’m alone, and he’s not watching me with those keen eyes, unpeeling all my defenses, I allow myself to enjoy the thoughts running through my head.
There is more to Gideon than meets the eye.
Taking me here, giving me my own room, and then the small things…
If he keeps this up, I’m going to be in so much trouble because it will be hard to leave this stuff behind. The reality is I can’t stay forever and when I go, so does all of this.
So does Gideon.
I’m pleasantly surprised to see that my bag is in my room. I don’t remember seeing it before, but I’m sure no one came in when I was showering because I locked the door.
Taking out my toiletry bag, I start my routine, and an hour later, I have a light dusting of makeup, and my hair is blown out soft and wavy.
When I slip into the buttery dress, my breath catches.
I’m a vision.
Not one to normally compliment myself, even I can’t deny that I look gorgeous.
The dress falls off my shoulders, showing a little skin—but not too much. It’s perfect.
It’s delicate and feminine and reminds me of a midsummer’s dream.
A knock on my door has me lifting my head up. I expect Gideon to stroll in like he owns the place, but when nothing happens, I walk to the bedroom door and swing it open.
There, standing in front of me, is the man who haunts my waking hours and is the lead character in my dreams.
He looks devastatingly handsome tonight.
His dark brown hair looks freshly tousled, like he just ran his hands through it, and his blue eyes look crisper when he takes me in. He’s dressed in a black sport coat, looking dashing. I realize it’s the first time I have seen him dressed up.
I like it. A lot.
“You look…” His Adam’s apple bobs.
“So do you,” I say, my eyes lowering to my feet because I feel too exposed at this moment.
Too raw.
He takes my hand, and I let him, neither of us saying a word the whole way as we walk together to the waiting car.
We’re seated and waiting to take off when I realize I haven’t thanked him.
“Gideon,” I start and then stop, trying to formulate the words before I speak them. “Thank you. For the clothes back at your place. For all this.” My eyes latch on to his. “For protecting me. Thank you.”