Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 75(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 75(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
“I haven’t been on a working elevator since I was, I don’t know, ten years old,” I admit.
“What are you talking about? Why not?” He genuinely has no idea.
“Stop the elevator. I need to take the stairs,” I beg.
He hits another button instantly and we stop on the second floor. He puts me down on my feet and takes my hand as he leads me down a hallway and over to the stairwell.
I can’t remember the last time anyone put their hands on me. He’s setting fire to my skin with his tight grip, but in the best way possible. I have to do something to make this need go away. I have no business having feelings for this man-beast. He’s the enemy, and I need to remind both of us of that.
As soon as the door to the hallway bangs shut and we’re in the abandoned stairwell, I decide to clear the air.
“Am I really under arrest, or was that just for the benefit of anyone listening outside?” I ask.
“No, you’re not under arrest. You should be.” His eyes stare into mine. “Just answer some questions.”
“Why not question me here? I promise I won’t run away.”
There’s a moment of hesitation from him, but then he nods. “Who put you up to the attack on me?”
I smile. “Bo.”
“Who?”
“My dog.”
“So I’m not going to get the truth then?” he asks, letting go of my hand. I want to reach out for him and take his back, but I steel myself.
I sigh, unable to help myself. There’s something inside me that doesn’t want to disappoint him. “The truth is, I don’t even know.”
“That’s convenient.” He shakes his head.
“I wish I could help.”
“Do you?” He narrows his eyes on me, and for a moment I do wish that. I wish I could give him what he wants. But I know the score.
“Wish I could help the Regime knock us down even further? Definitely not.” I give him the truth. I want to remind him of who I am.
Brad grits his teeth, and it makes his jawline even sexier. Shit, I’m in trouble.
“I just need a name and you can walk away.”
I search his eyes for the truth, and he’s not lying. Why would he let me go free? So he could have me to himself? I push the thought away. “No. That’s not how it works,”
“Then how does it work?” He’s getting frustrated.
Before I know what’s happening, he’s closed the distance between us. Maybe it’s meant to intimidate me, but all it does is make me hotter for him. I want to wrap my body around his.
“You know I can’t tell you. I won’t betray my people. You might as well shoot me or turn me over to the Regime.” I feel defiant, but also powerful. That’s always the bottom line for me. Never betray The Insurgence.
He doesn’t like my answer, and his brow furrows and his chest rumbles. He’s not going to shoot me and he’s not going to see me rot in jail. I guess that means he likes me?
“You know I can’t do that,” he whispers, leaning down closer to me.
“Why not?” I ask softly, feeling his breath on my lips. I don’t know why, but I have to hear him say it. I have to push him into an answer. As much as I’m supposed to hate him, every part of my body and soul is screaming at me to close the distance, telling me that this man and I belong pushed up against each other. Inseparable. “Tell me, Brad. What’s really stopping you?”
I can see him fighting the urge to kiss me. It’s easy to see conflict on his face as his eyes focus in on my lips. Everything the Regime drilled into him about fraternizing with someone like me is rushing through his mind, I know it. But he still wants me. His light blue eyes come back to mine. I wait, holding his gaze. My god, he has gorgeous blues. I can see a kindness behind them, something tender that I know he’s letting only me see.
“The same thing that’s stopping you,” he says, right before he slides his hand up to cup my cheek and his lips connect with mine.
For a second it’s so tender, my knees go weak. But just as fast it turns hard and needy. Before I know what’s happening, my back hits the wall and his big body is rubbing up against mine. His lips move down and he’s at my neck. I can feel his teeth there as he marks me. My body is on fire as he picks me up and grabs my ass. Power radiates from him, and this situation has gone from zero to one hundred in half a second. I run my hands up the bulging muscles of his chest as my legs wrap around his waist, and moan at the feeling of him pressed to me.