Jaded (WTF? Series Book 1) Read Free Page A

the holidays. It was totally his idea, and that fact alone finally convinces me that he'll be here as planned.
    I make sure the door to my cabana is unlocked, and that the exterior light is on. That is in the plan.
    I think about the things that he's shared with me, too. No deep dark secrets, mostly the typical frustrations of working in corporate America, with the added pressure of managing financial portfolios for demanding clients. He works ten-hour days, skips lunch and works out every evening at the gym. I know this much from his chats with me.
    I have no clue about his social life, because well---it's none of my business and because I've become so enamored with him, that I prefer not knowing. There's nothing I can do about it anyway. I never ask personal questions of him, but I don't mind answering the ones that he asks me. I love that he's interested in my life, my thoughts and my feelings. He has this uncanny ability to literally read between the lines of my messages to him, picking up on my moods--good, bad or in-between.
    Finally, near eleven o'clock, I'm worn out from thinking about it, plus the worry and apprehension are finally ebbing so I crawl up onto the huge bed with the nylon netting surrounding it and wonder what he will feel like.
    What will his voice sound like?
    I've pictured him in my mind a thousand times, but no matter what his physical appearance, I know that I won't be disappointed because I love his mind.
    And his heart.
    I love the story he messaged me a few months back about the stray dog he found one rainy morning on his way to work. He turned around and went back to get it, coaxing it into his car, and taking it back to his 'No Pets Allowed' apartment where he dried it off, and fed it anything he could find suitable for a dog. He was late for work, but he didn't care. He still has the dog. And he calls him 'Dingo.'
    Sometimes I'm amazed at the way that he cares about me, without really knowing me. His words can pick me up in a heartbeat when I'm feeling down or particularly lonely. He has the ability to pull information out of me the same way a magician can wave his magic wand and pull a rabbit from his hat.
    I think these thoughts as I let out a sigh, and roll over so that I can turn out the bedside lamp. I sink back and settle into the downy softness of my bed. A breeze trickles through the slatted shutters, and caresses my skin gently. My body is barely covered in the thin, black satin nightie that I selected for tonight. It is pitch black out tonight. Even the stars and moon are hidden by the thick cloud cover over the water. It's a perfect night for us.
    Sleep finally overtakes me.
    Minutes, or maybe it's hours later I'm awakened when I feel the bed dip down beneath someone else's weight, but I'm not frightened, and the fact that I'm not surprises me.
    But I know who it is, and I feel the smile spread across my lips. "You're here," I whisper, feeling his warmness next to me.
    "Did you ever have any doubts?" he responds, his voice is deep and husky, just like I imagined it would be.
    "A few," I replied, because honesty is what we did, he and I.
    "Silly girl," he says, and I can smell his musky scent. His skin touches mine and his fingers trace a slow, gentle trail up my leg to my thigh and I deliciously shiver.
    "God I want to see you," he whispers, "Your skin is so soft and you feel so fucking beautiful and I need to see for myself."
    "Remember our pact," I remind him softly. "This is the only chance we'll have to envision one another by touch alone. Do you really want to spoil that?"
    He lets out a low growl, but I can feel his smile as he scoots closer, hovering over me.
    My hands frame his face, and in total darkness I can feel a bit of stubble on his cheeks. He's got some five o'clock shadow going on which immediately puts some points into his column.
    My fingers trace his lips, which are full and sensual, and as they travel along his jaw line, they reach his chin which I'm pleased to