Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
She doesn’t let go of him.
Her husband has to practically pull her away.
We wait for them to pull onto the road first, and then James resumes the drive.
“Are you okay?” He looks at me.
“No.”
“What’s wrong?”
I say nothing for several miles, simply staring straight ahead.
“That was a sweet thing you did back there, James,” I finally speak. “I wish someone had helped my parents long ago. It would’ve changed everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“The only reason they bought a last minute train ticket was because their car stopped working and no one stopped to help,” she says. “They called a cab and thought it was ‘fate’ that we were all taking the train with my aunts.”
A flash of the past—the same scene that haunts my nightmares from time to time crosses in front of me. I’m drinking a hot cocoa as the train rattles forward, and then I’m pushed to the floor before everything burst into flames.
The phrase ‘sole survivor’ still hurts.
I shake my head, refusing to let the moment play any further.
James leans over to wipe my tears as I cry.
SIXTEEN (B)
TARYN
Merging onto US-287, entering Colorado
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
The windshield wipers have served as the only sound between us for the past several miles, and I’m in desperate need of conversation.
I don’t want the feelings from our last one to linger any longer.
“Do you think Cameron would be willing to reconsider the marriage pact thing with me?”
James doesn’t answer me.
“James?” I ask. “Did you hear what I said?”
He says nothing and pulls the car into the emergency lane.
Before I can ask him what he’s doing, he cups my face in his hands and pulls me close, kissing me until I’m breathless.
Staring into my eyes, he gently bites my bottom lip. "Can we add a new rule that involves not talking about anyone besides me and you for the rest of this drive?"
I nod, completely speechless.
“Good.” He kisses me again, even harder as if to drive home the point, and then he entwines his hand in mine before pulling onto the road.
SEVENTEEN
TARYN
The large blue attraction sign ahead is stamped with one location: The Grace Estate.
Finally seeing it doesn’t make me feel a sense of elation, though.
It’s bittersweet.
As if James feels it too, he squeezes my hand.
Twelve-foot nutcrackers greet us as we pull into the winding tree-lit driveway, and I sigh as a valet approaches the driver’s side door.
“Um…did you want to maybe stay the night before going to The Four Seasons?” I look over at him.
“They’re sold out.”
“I meant in my suite. Unless you’re super desperate to finally get away from me.”
“Hmmm.” He lifts my bag onto the bell cart and then adds his.
The valet drives the car away, and the bellman leads us inside the building.
The lodge wraps me in warm nostalgia as we walk through the glittering lobby, past the long row of sparkling Christmas trees. The scent of balsam and freshly roasted pecans waft through the air, and the memories of last Christmas bring a smile to my lips.
“Miss Georgia has been quite busy with all the events this week,” the bellman says, “but she wanted me to make sure you knew that she made a last minute change to the title of your suite.”
“What’s it called now?”
“The Holiday Homecoming suite.” He picks up a bright red envelope from the desk and hands it to me.
“Would you two like to be escorted to the elevator bank or go up on your own?” he asks.
“We’ve got it from here, sir,” I say. “Thank you.”
“Welcome home.” He smiles at me and shakes James hand before walking away.
“Before you leave, you have to let me give you a tour of the entire estate.” I lead James to the elevator. “I mean, unless…”
I don’t finish my sentence and he doesn’t push me to.
We ride upstairs in silence and when the doors glide open, I walk to the suite and unlock the door.
My jaw drops at the sight of the three sparkling trees standing across from us. They’re drenched in emerald green and gold ornaments that complement every feature in this room.
There’s one king-sized bed, flanked by doors that lead to separate bathrooms, and a kitchen that overlooks the slopes.
"Do you mind if I take the bathroom with the tub?” I ask.
“Not at all.” His eyes linger on mine. “I was going to ask if I could take the one with the shower.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
I pull a T-shirt and shorts from my suitcase and shut the door to the second bathroom.
Filling the tub with the estate’s trademark vanilla bubble bath, I slip under the suds and shut my eyes, wishing I’d told James to join me.
When I emerge from my bath, James is still in the shower with the door hanging wide open.
I watch as the suds slide down his rock hard chest, as James runs a hand through his hair. His huge cock is jutting out toward me, begging for me to taste it.