Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Do you want a ride?”
Absolutely not.
Spending time alone with him—even ten minutes—would be the epitome of stupid. And while I’m a lot of things, that’s not one of them.
“Sure. Thanks.”
I almost wince.
He jerks his shoulders into a tight shrug. “It’s not a problem.”
My gaze drops to the broad set of them. It wasn’t long ago that I’d trace my fingertips across every sinewy line before my mouth followed the path, needing to taste every inch.
When my tongue darts out to moisten my lips, his gaze dips to the movement. That’s all it takes for his pupils to dilate, swallowing up the golden hue before he swings away without warning and stalks down the hallway. I release a shaky breath as a swarm of angry butterflies burst to life in my belly. It takes effort to force my feet into movement as I reluctantly trail after him.
This was a mistake.
One of many that I’ve made where Ford is concerned.
I’m mentally kicking myself for not turning down the offer. I should have pretended to forget something and slipped back inside the safety of the apartment before waiting for him to disappear down the hallway.
Even if it meant I was late for class. Now I’m stuck until we part ways on campus. The next ten minutes are going to be excruciating.
Well…more excruciating than life has already become.
Just as I reach the elevator, the bell dings, signaling the arrival of the car.
Thank fuck.
He glances at me before holding the metal door so that it won’t close.
I hop on and wedge myself as deep into the corner as I can get so that there’s as much physical distance between us as possible. Ford follows me on before stabbing the button designated with an L for the lobby. The doors slide shut, locking us inside the confining space together.
It doesn’t take long for the atmosphere to turn claustrophobic.
His gaze slices to mine where it stays fastened. When he refuses to look away, my body begins to tremble under the intense scrutiny, and my palms turn sweaty. Just as the car lurches into movement, he slams his hand against the red stop button and a loud bell trills, filling the space.
My eyes widen as I plaster myself against the wall. “What are you doing?”
“Truth or dare?”
I blink, surprised by the question. “What?”
He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. Even from the distance that separates us, I feel the heavy waves of anger wafting off him. It’s almost enough to choke on.
“You heard me. Truth or dare.”
I drag my gaze away before sucking my lower lip into my mouth and chewing it.
There’s no way I can pick truth.
I’m deathly afraid of what he’ll ask.
Because I can’t lie. I refuse to hurt him more than I already have.
And dare…
The possibility almost scares me more. I’m desperate for the feel of his hands sliding over me. It’s only been a week, but it feels more like an eternity.
“Dare,” I whisper before I can think better of it. I just need to remain strong. I can hold out against him for a couple of minutes.
Can’t I?
He swallows up the distance that separates us until I have to tilt my chin in order to hold his steely gaze. “I dare you to kiss me.”
Oh, god.
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Fuck, no.” He tilts his head. “But if you don’t have feelings for me, then it shouldn’t matter, right? It’s just a kiss.”
Is that what he believes?
That I feel nothing where he’s concerned?
It would be so much easier if that were the case.
“You know that I care about you,” I admit, unable to keep the words contained.
The corners of his lips curl into a mocking smile. “Do I?”
“Of course. I’ll always care.” Somehow, I need to dig myself out of the hole I’ve become mired in.
He steps closer before lowering his face until it hovers inches above my own. Intensity burns in his eyes. It would be all too easy to drown within their vibrant, honeyed depths and all the emotion that swims around within them. It’s so tempting to reach up and stroke my fingers along the curve of his shadowed jaw. To trace the sharp angles. Instead of giving into the urge, I squeeze my hands into tight balls that hang limply at my sides.
“Because we’re family?” There’s an edge to his voice that feels as lethal as a razorblade. Sharp and agonizing. Little does he know that I’m powerless to protect myself against him.
“Yes.”
“That’s not what I want from you, Carina.”
“It’s all I can afford to give.”
“Maybe.” His expression turns as flippant as the word that just fell from his lips. “Then again, maybe not.”
One hand snakes out, wrapping around the nape of my neck before drawing me close enough to feel the warmth of his breath drift across my parted lips. It stirs the air around us, turning it electric. The tiny hairs on my arms stand to attention as a shiver scampers down the length of my spine.