Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Business as usual.
"Faith."
I jerk upright to find Octavio standing over me, his expression indecipherable. Deep shadows surround his eyes, and his sharp jawline is scruffy. He looks tired, like he's on the verge of falling over. His hair is damp, and he's changed clothes. He must have showered.
I glance over his shoulder, only to realize Agent Gunner is gone and the television is off. The shadows in the room are deeper, like the sun is well on its way to setting for the night. The soft glow of the kitchen light leaks into the room, illuminating the area immediately around me.
"I must have fallen asleep," I mumble, sitting up in the chair and rubbing the heels of my hands against my eyes. "What time is it?"
"It's a little after seven."
"I've been sleeping for two hours."
Octavio's lips quirk into a smile. "You need sleep."
"So do you." I tip my head back. Not for the first time, I realize how much bigger he is than me. His thighs are thick, his waist trim. He's tall and powerful, like a Redwood. He doesn't make me feel small or fragile, though. Not even when he's towering over me like he is right now. He makes me feel…as if I belong somewhere. As if I'm home.
Except this is his home, not mine.
Sadness flows through me at the reminder.
I push myself to my feet, the desire to flee before he breaks my heart rising fast. I don't think I can handle him telling me he regrets kissing me. Not right now.
He takes a step back to keep from crowding me.
"I'm still tired," I lie, refusing to meet his gaze. My emotions are too raw. The day's events have broken open still-healing wounds, leaving me feeling fragile and exposed. "I'm going to get in bed."
"You should eat something, Faith."
"I'm not hungry." It's not a lie. The thought of food sends bile creeping up my throat. Octavio doesn't need to know that part, though. "I had a big lunch."
He growls wordlessly, thrusting out an arm to stop me from slipping past him. "Stop trying to run from me, little bunny. It's pissing me off."
"I'm not running from you."
His eyes flash fire at me. "You're lying."
"I'm not…" The warning look he sends in my direction unravels my protest before I can even fully formulate it. "You're tired, Octavio. I'm just trying to get out of the way so you can go to bed. You've only had two hours of sleep since you got up yesterday morning."
"I'd sleep a hell of a lot better if you were in my bed with me, conejita."
"That's…not a good idea."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not."
Another growl rumbles in his chest. Something almost predatory flares in his gorgeous eyes. He takes a step toward me, his expression fierce. I back up, but he keeps moving forward, stalking me like a wild animal until my back is pressed against the wall beside the recliner. My heart pounds like a drum against my ribcage and my stomach flutters.
"Back up," I whisper, my voice shaking.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
I never thought he would, but he's too close. If he touches me, I'll crumble. And being rejected by this man once was enough. I don't think I'll survive a repeat of that.
"I'd tear my heart out of my chest before I hurt you."
"You already hurt me," I whisper.
"How?" He leans over me, placing his forearm on the wall above my head. His scent surrounds me, making me dizzy. I lock my knees, clenching my hands into fists to keep myself from wrapping them in his shirt. "Tell me, little bunny. What did I do to hurt you?"
"You didn't want me." I grit my teeth and square my jaw, fighting the urge to cry over that fact. I think I'd sell my soul to belong to this man, but he doesn't feel the same way about me. That shouldn't matter as much as it does. It shouldn't hurt so damn badly. My own mother didn't want me, but knowing Octavio doesn't want me hurts even worse than that.
"Ah, angel," he whispers, his voice pained…as if I hurt him. "Don't you know I'd kill any man who tried to touch you?" He brings his right arm up, tipping my face up toward his with gentle fingers. The intense expression on his face sears into me, stealing my breath. "Tu me vuelves loco. Te adoro. Te necesito. Quiero que seas mia."
"I…what?" My head spins, and I know there's no way I'm awake because there's no way he just told me that he adores me. That he needs me. That he wants me to be his.
"You drive me crazy. I adore you. I need you. I want you to be mine," he whispers, leaning forward to place his lips against my cheek as he confirms that I didn't mishear anything he said. "I want it so fucking badly I can't think straight."