Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Damien stepped aside as he reached out his hand for mine. It wasn’t a good idea for me to touch him right then since I just knew I wouldn’t want to let go. That muscular hand reaching out for mine. What else could I do though? As we touched, there was a sturdiness to his grip, something that made me feel safe and know that I could rely on him. I got to my feet and adjusted my skirt, and just like I expected, neither of us let go.
Letting Damien put his hands on me back home was a mistake because all I wanted was to repeat that night over and over again. Feeling his hand in mine was another reminder of his smooth touch and perfect strength. My eyes darted around the entrance, hoping to God my mom wasn’t nearby to see. Or anyone else, for that matter. I started to wonder if Damien hadn’t already told his brothers. Within seconds of walking in the doors, I started feeling nervous. My mind was racing, and my hands were starting to shake, and it was apparently enough to get Damien’s attention.
“Are you feeling okay?”
His voice was soft and smooth then, and it made everything even more difficult to focus on.
I shook my head and took a deep breath, and then I forced a smile in his direction. “Yeah, of course. I’m just a little overwhelmed at everything. I’ve never seen such a place.”
Damien tilted his head and gave me a smile. He brought my hand up to his face and kissed the back, then he let me go. “No worries, sis. I know this new life is going to be exciting and nerve wracking at the same time, but we all have your back.”
“Oh, well, I guess I should thank you.”
Damien’s eyes traveled down my body and then back up again as he said, “We can arrange that.”
Breathe, girl! Those eyes of his, scanning me over, watching my every move… It was incredibly hot, but also terrifying. We weren’t in a dimly lit car anymore, or even outside in the night, we were standing under bright lights as people came and went. Any of those people could be Danforth, my mom, or the other brothers.
With a wink, Damien walked up to the front desk where he spoke to a pretty young woman. “Hey there,” he said, turning on the charm.
She giggled, bashfully smiling at him. It was ridiculous watching it happen from the outside, but I bet I looked just the same as her. “Hello to you,” she said. She tucked back a clump of her golden hair, and I could see that her cheeks were turning red. Really? It was amazing what Damien could do to women, myself included.
“Yes, we’re checking in under the name Rolsom.”
“Oh, yes. I see that here. And which one are you?” She batted her eyes once more as if she were asking him for his phone number. Could she not see me standing right next to him, hand in hand still from the car? Yeah, we were siblings now, but she didn’t know that.
“Well, my name is Damien.” He leaned over the counter just a little bit to get close enough to make her blush a bit more. “And I see your name is Rachel.”
Rachel started giggling, and I had seen enough. I nudged Damien in the side and got his complete attention. I also got to feel his tight obliques, and damn if it didn’t make me blush! He cleared his throat and stood tall, but he still gave Rachel a very handsome and alluring smile. She scanned through the computer and found his name, then she happily handed over the pass cards for the rooms. We were on our way to the elevator in no time, and this time, we weren’t going to be alone.
“Hey, I hear you got the cards for us,” Dax said to his brother as he and Daniel popped in the elevator behind us. I pulled my hand from Damien’s then, hoping no one saw.
“Yeah, I saw you there behind me. Waiting for me to do the work as usual.”
“Oh no,” Daniel chimed in. “We were just waiting for you to charm the receptionist so we could use her to get into the pool after hours.”
“Why?” I asked them.
Dax’s eyes met mine with a wink. “That’s when the real fun happens.”
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starved,” Daniel said. “I’m thinking we visit that pub from last year.”
“Grilled shrimp, roasted peaches, and potatoes…” Dax hummed at the thought.
“But the ales are insane,” Daniel said. “Locally brewed with some of the most exotic flavors.”
“You’re going to love it,” Dax said as he leaned against my ear.
“Well, I’ll be the judge of that,” I said to them. I looked up and watched the numbers overhead turn until they got up to the sixth floor. The minute we stepped out, all three of them started talking at the same time. I put my hands up and tried to hush them, but I was realizing quickly that it was going to be quite the struggle to get a word in edgewise. They were fixed on the attractions and events they had planned, and it sounded like they might start arguing about what they’d do first. I stuck my fingers in my mouth and whistled loudly and they all stopped talking and looked back at me. “All I want to know right now is where my room is and how I can get a Mai Tai.” For a moment they were all quiet, but then all three of them burst out laughing.