Page 53 of Virtue & Vengeance

13

EDEN

I WOKE THE NEXT MORNING naked and alone in Zander’s bed. My body ached, my muscles sore from the fantastic workout from the night before. Zander had made good on his promise, pleasuring me so much I forgot how many times I touched the sky. I ended up passing out at his side, feeling happier than I had in my entire life.

The fact was, I was in love with Zander.

The realization moved over me like a cold tidal wave, and I gasped for my breath suddenly feeling like I was drowning. I sat up quickly, pulling the sheet to my chest and taking in the luxurious room around me to make sure I was indeed alone.

His bedroom was unreal. The night before it had been dark and I hadn’t gotten a good look at the place, but it was just as magnificent as the man himself.

Rich with emerald greens that matched his eyes and gold accessories, and a window that covered two sides of the room, letting me know we were at the top corner of the Empire Sevens building.

Throwing back the covers, I swung my legs over the side of his massive bed and stood. After realizing my dress was nowhere to be found, I snatched the shirt Zander had worn the night before from the floor and pulled it on. I buttoned it quickly, taking in the smell of his rich cologne as I did so.

I found the master bathroom easily and moved around to freshen up before I left the bedroom to find Zander. I smiled to myself when I noticed the toothbrush that was apparently left out for me, but then I rolled my eyes when I saw that it was pink.

After brushing my teeth, I washed my face and pulled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head. Once I felt like a living being again, I left the room in search of Zander.

He was easy to find, standing in the living room in a pair of jeans and nothing else. The muscles on his back begged to be touched. So as I moved up behind him, I let my palms run up over his smooth back, the heat from his body making my cool fingertips tingle.

He twitched when he felt my hands on his back, letting me know I’d surprised him.

“Are you always up this early?” I purred, continuing my exploration of his gorgeous body.

“Yes. Most mornings I’m up before the sun.”

“So, you’re a morning person.” I leaned into his heat, loving the feel of his hard back against my soft breasts.

He cleared his throat, and his body stiffened once again.

“I’m not a night person.”

Instantly, I knew he was talking about what he had confessed the night before. I hadn’t thought about it since he confessed he had killed someone because I’d been too busy enjoying Zander, but suddenly the memories of his confession slammed into me.

He was a murderer.

I’d spent the night with a killer, and yet, I’d never felt so safe. Something about his confession wasn’t right. I couldn’t believe that a man like him could do something so terrible unless it was in self-defense or to protect someone he loved.

“Is it because of what you said last night?”

I felt his muscles harden beneath my fingertips and then he was gone.

He moved away from me, and as he crossed the room, he began picking up things from the floor. It took me a full minute to realize it was my things.

My shoes.

My dress.

My panties.

All things I’d dropped on his bedroom floor, and yet, they were in his living room as if he had them ready and waiting for me to leave.

“Zander?”

“What?” he snapped.

Still, he didn’t stop to look at me.

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