In This Life Read Online Free

my throat went dry, and the room swayed and spun around me. I gripped the desk to steady myself. Sweat broke out under my arms and trickled down my back, and the unusual scent I’d smelled since this morning filled the room. I shut my eyes and squeezed the desk harder, trying to calm my breathing so that I didn’t pass out.
    I felt a presence, nearby and drawing closer. I felt body heat and sensed someone else’s attention.
    “Do not worry,” another voice said, and although I recognized the voice I did not know where it came from.
    I tried answering but my throat swelled and I had trouble taking in air. Something was wrong. The place. The time. The feeling.
    Me.
    Hands settled on my shoulders, then caressed my hair and my arms and my back. The scent came at me again, and I could not help but breathe it in. It smelled intoxicating and reminded me of something wonderful. Decadent.
    I drew in deeper breaths, wanting that scent to engulf me and take me whole. Yet I knew something was wrong. Somewhere, deep down, I sensed it but I could not understand why.
    The hands on my body felt different now, no longer attentive but rough. Urgent. A warm breath caressed my face and soft lips pressed against mine. I returned the kiss, wanting more of those lips, more of his body, more of that powerful, exotic scent.
    “Lottie?”
    My body shook and my surroundings sharpened into focus. I breathed in and tried to find him again, but he was gone. My lips felt warm, tingling with the memory of the kiss that lingered there. An ache grew in my belly and moved lower. I felt empty, wanting him.
    A man crouched down in front of me. A man with a handsome face and shocking green eyes that stood out against his dark, near-black hair.
    “Lottie?”
    Another man was speaking to me now and I heard worry in his voice but did not understand why it was there. I felt so very good and yet he seemed upset.
    Two other people stood by his side. One woman with short, silvery hair, and another with locks of gold wrapped tightly atop her head.
    I looked at all three and asked, “Who are you?”

Chapter Four
    The man looked up at the two women with him and then looked back at me. He sat on his haunches, both of his strong hands clasped on either side of my chair so that I could not get away. He was powerful looking with well-defined muscles, and though his size was intimidating, I could see that he was not prepared to hurt me. I may not have been able to run past him but I knew that running would not serve any purpose. In my heart, I knew he was here to protect me.
    He blinked and a small smile emerged on his face, but I saw no mirth behind his expression. He seemed confused. More so, he seemed uncomfortable for feeling that way.
    “Who are you?” he said, repeating my words. “Not funny.”
    An odd silence moved in and it took some time for me to understand why. The man wanted me to respond and I felt unsure as to what I should say.
    “I did not realize that I was behaving in a manner that amused you.”
    His gaze narrowed and his expression deepened and intensified, while small worry lines crinkled his forehead and the corners of his eyes. I recognized the expression and understood that it suggested fear, but could not explain why I knew it to be so. I simply knew that he felt it.
    I reached out to him and traced my fingertips over his forehead and down his face. His skin came alive, blazing with heat under my touch. He drew in a deep breath and held it. I dared not pull away, dared not be separated from him and no longer able to feel the fire between us. Yet I knew that if I did not, touching would no longer be enough for either one of us.
    I withdrew from him but I longed for more. For a moment, I wondered if he had been the one who kissed me.
    “Lottie?” The man spoke just above a whisper but his urgency was clear. “What’s wrong?”
    “Lottie?” The word felt awkward as it rolled off my tongue. “What is Lottie?”
    His face paled and he