drop-dead-gorgeous, wears jeans like a real cowboy Vampire.
And he obviously wants me if his kisses and—manly responses ——are any indication. I may not be Einstein but I'm not an idiot. I can recognize an erection when I feel one pressed against me. And that's puzzling in itself. Even if he were not a Vampire, Augustus is a man any woman would find sexy. Why me? I'm not an ogre but I'm not a beauty queen either. What would make him go to such trouble to have me with him?
What possible value could I have to him?
This is more than a fubar, it's a mystery all wrapped up in a package that's way too seductive and holds far too much appeal for me. Shoot fire, I sure wish I didn't have a case of hots for the man. I'm afraid that's going to screw with my head. I just have to find a way to shut my libido down and start thinking clearly.
If that's possible as long as he's within fifty feet of me.
Layla didn't make a sound the entire way back to the house. She was a bit surprised when Augustus set her down beside the passenger door of a big double cab truck rather than take her to the house.
He opened the door for her but she didn't move.
"Get in."
"Where are we going?"
"Home."
"I thought this was home?"
He put his hands on either side of her waist, lifted her up into the truck, closed the door, and walked around to get in behind the steering wheel.
Layla decided against asking anything more. He started the truck and drove past the house. The drive forked and he took the left fork onto another paved road. Layla looked out at the passing landscape as he drove. They passed what looked like an actual neighborhood with a fair amount of houses, then pastures and barns and what looked like an industrial complex.
She was surprised. They must have driven for ten minutes before he took a turn to the left onto another paved road. It was sheltered on either side by old trees and a fence bordered both sides, the kind of fence used for pastures.
When a house came into view, her eyes widened. It was like something out of a magazine, all honey wood and glass, with a massive wraparound porch. The landscaping was incredible. Flowering trees, shrubs and an honest to goodness flower garden complete with a fountain and benches.
"What is this place?"
"Home."
"But—" She looked at the house and then at him. "I thought the other place –"
"That's for guests."
"Oh. Well, this is beautiful. Peaceful."
"Yes." He turned off the engine, opened his door, and got out.
After a moment, she got out. Augustus came around the front of the truck to her and offered his hand. Layla automatically reached for it then pulled back. Why had she even thought for a split second to take his hand? She had to remember that he wasn't her friend or her lover. He was her abductor. She'd be foolish to trust him.
Still it made her feel bad when a look of disappointment flickered on his face. He gestured toward the house and after a moment's hesitation, she started moving. He stayed a step behind her as they made their way to the front door.
Layla wished she could have been there under different circumstances. She'd love to take her time, wander through the yard, and smell all of the sweet scenes from the flowering plants.
She stopped at the end of the sidewalk and looked at Augustus. He moved ahead of her and opened the door.
Layla made note that he did not use a key. Did he feel so safe here that he saw no need to lock his home? That question traveled to the back of her mind as he escorted her inside.
The first thing that hit her was the smell. What was that? She stopped, closed her eyes, and inhaled. The smell was sweet but not cloyingly so. It held a bare hint of spice and … and what? It came to her in a flash. It was reminiscent to the smell of night blooming jasmine.
Her eyes opened to discover Augustus watching her. Layla avoided eye contact with him and wandered through the foyer into a large living area. It was a lovely room, the walls of
And he obviously wants me if his kisses and—manly responses ——are any indication. I may not be Einstein but I'm not an idiot. I can recognize an erection when I feel one pressed against me. And that's puzzling in itself. Even if he were not a Vampire, Augustus is a man any woman would find sexy. Why me? I'm not an ogre but I'm not a beauty queen either. What would make him go to such trouble to have me with him?
What possible value could I have to him?
This is more than a fubar, it's a mystery all wrapped up in a package that's way too seductive and holds far too much appeal for me. Shoot fire, I sure wish I didn't have a case of hots for the man. I'm afraid that's going to screw with my head. I just have to find a way to shut my libido down and start thinking clearly.
If that's possible as long as he's within fifty feet of me.
Layla didn't make a sound the entire way back to the house. She was a bit surprised when Augustus set her down beside the passenger door of a big double cab truck rather than take her to the house.
He opened the door for her but she didn't move.
"Get in."
"Where are we going?"
"Home."
"I thought this was home?"
He put his hands on either side of her waist, lifted her up into the truck, closed the door, and walked around to get in behind the steering wheel.
Layla decided against asking anything more. He started the truck and drove past the house. The drive forked and he took the left fork onto another paved road. Layla looked out at the passing landscape as he drove. They passed what looked like an actual neighborhood with a fair amount of houses, then pastures and barns and what looked like an industrial complex.
She was surprised. They must have driven for ten minutes before he took a turn to the left onto another paved road. It was sheltered on either side by old trees and a fence bordered both sides, the kind of fence used for pastures.
When a house came into view, her eyes widened. It was like something out of a magazine, all honey wood and glass, with a massive wraparound porch. The landscaping was incredible. Flowering trees, shrubs and an honest to goodness flower garden complete with a fountain and benches.
"What is this place?"
"Home."
"But—" She looked at the house and then at him. "I thought the other place –"
"That's for guests."
"Oh. Well, this is beautiful. Peaceful."
"Yes." He turned off the engine, opened his door, and got out.
After a moment, she got out. Augustus came around the front of the truck to her and offered his hand. Layla automatically reached for it then pulled back. Why had she even thought for a split second to take his hand? She had to remember that he wasn't her friend or her lover. He was her abductor. She'd be foolish to trust him.
Still it made her feel bad when a look of disappointment flickered on his face. He gestured toward the house and after a moment's hesitation, she started moving. He stayed a step behind her as they made their way to the front door.
Layla wished she could have been there under different circumstances. She'd love to take her time, wander through the yard, and smell all of the sweet scenes from the flowering plants.
She stopped at the end of the sidewalk and looked at Augustus. He moved ahead of her and opened the door.
Layla made note that he did not use a key. Did he feel so safe here that he saw no need to lock his home? That question traveled to the back of her mind as he escorted her inside.
The first thing that hit her was the smell. What was that? She stopped, closed her eyes, and inhaled. The smell was sweet but not cloyingly so. It held a bare hint of spice and … and what? It came to her in a flash. It was reminiscent to the smell of night blooming jasmine.
Her eyes opened to discover Augustus watching her. Layla avoided eye contact with him and wandered through the foyer into a large living area. It was a lovely room, the walls of
Similar Books
Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary
Regina Jeffers
Odd Girl In
Jo Whittemore
Switching From Windows to Mac
Scott La Counte
Empty Nets and Promises
Denzil Meyrick
Never Enough
Ashley Johnson
Beyond the Edge
Elizabeth Lister
Barefoot Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story
Krista Lakes
A Mew to a Kill
Leighann Dobbs
Ascendance
John Birmingham