Page 29 of Michael
Fuck. There’s no way around it. I don’t know where she lives.
I’m driving her home.Myhome.
CHAPTER16
Amanda
I’min a vast bedroom that has its own lounge and a sweeping ocean view. The regular thumping of the waves against the shore lulls me into a spellbinding trance. I’m wrapped in cool satin sheets, covered by a heavy comforter in a cozy King Size bed. A plethora of puffy pillows surrounds me.
I lay back on the bed, at peace, drifting into untethered bliss, when a voice startles me.
“Amanda,” he says.
When I crack my eyes open, I glimpse Michael standing near my bedside. His ocean eyes are soothing as they look down at me. I can almost feel the warmth radiating off of him.
A brief smile stretches his lips as he sits on the bed, slipping a hand along my arm. “Everything’s going to be all right,” he whispers. The words come laden with resolve, but the strength and courage they convey to me fade quickly.
I exhale slowly, releasing a long sigh. “Is it, though?” I mumble, shutting my eyes as I scowl. I need to find Jack. Richard wants my soul…
Wait. Why is he here? This is so confusing.
“M… Michael?” I manage with a frown. “Is this a dream?” My gaze angles towards him. He’s gorgeous against the silver moonlight, dressed in pajama bottoms and an unbuttoned shirt through which I glimpse his taut muscular chest.
“Amanda,” he breathes, and my name sounds divine when he speaks it, like a fervent prayer that sends a thrill through my being. “The painkiller’s effect is starting to wear off. It’s almost 3 am.”
I blink a few times, forcing myself to focus on this heavenly man, his arms corded in muscle, and the fabulous scent of his cologne. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up. To hell with everything else.
“I brought you your next dose,” he adds.
When I look into his eyes, I melt into a puddle of desire. It’s undeniable—this is the most gorgeous man ever to have walked the earth. I’ve been too stubborn to accept it before, but I’m suddenly feeling less resistance to admit it. I wonder if the drugs are to blame—or me having mixed them with booze.
“I need you to sit on the bed and swallow this down,” he continues in a soothing tone. “Can you do that for me?”
Sitting up would be good. Giving my muscles a stretch would be better. “Sure, I can do that,” I reply. My first attempt to straighten fails, though. I’m too drowsy to accomplish anything.
“Do you feel dizzy?” he asks eagerly.
I nod. He’s so handsome when he’s concerned. I hope he doesn’t stop being concerned. “I need help sitting up,” I manage in a groggy voice.
“Of course,” he says. “Slowly, now.” His strong hands dive under my waist and he raises me against the fluffy pillows. I am weightless in his grip. Gods, I’m feeling all sorts of tingles through my limbs. Suddenly, I have this immense craving to kiss him—to do more than that, actually.
Amanda, get a hold of yourself.
When Michael takes my hand, a spark of lightning shoots up my arm. “Here. Take this.” He leans closer, and in this nearness, I can’t avoid noticing his silken lips. What would it feel like, kissing those lips? What kind of kisser is Michael? Is he a good one? The thought consumes me. I need to find out.
A slight wince creases my brow as I try to move my injured hand. “Ow…” I groan, the shot of pain bringing me closer to full awareness.
“I can put it in your mouth for you, if you want me to,” he whispers in a smoky, hot-as-hell voice.
“Oh. I want you to,” I mumble, barely opening my eyes. Fuck, did I actually say those words, or did I just think of them?
I’m panicking at the thought when his angelic face covers my entire vision. I can almost feel his breath on my skin, and as his lips approach mine, my eyelids gently drop shut.
In my mind, part of me is screaming as I realize how much I want this. I shouldn’t have such strong feelings for Michael—not when my fated love is running around somewhere in town—but I have them, and the magnetic pull between us is so powerful, I don’t feel like fighting it. Something tells me if I did, I wouldn’t stand a chance against it.
I want to savor this moment. Every second of it.
At last, his tongue pushes past my lips, tangling with mine, and I succumb to his heat.
