LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4) Read Online Free

other, really.
     
    “I’m also affected by you in a strong way. But, let’s take this one step at a time, Tristan,” I warn. I have little experience with dating and even less with very wealthy men. I already know that I’m in too deep though. Why is he affecting me so much? I know that I want him and his beautiful body in a way that’s almost painful. What’s gotten into me today? Maybe I’m just too repressed.
     
    “You’re right, Joanna, we should take this slow. We could be playing with fire. Let me check in with Bailey, my security chief, and find out more about our situation,” he agrees quickly and then picks up his phone. I sigh with relief when Bailey answers after the first ring. I scoot over to the corner to regain my composure while Tristan talks.
     
    When the phone call ends, Tristan tells me, “It looks as if we’ll be here for a while longer. There’s such extensive damage to the building that they won’t be able to reach the elevators or us for another hour or so.”
     
    “That’s too bad, because I have to find a restroom soon,” I announce with embarrassment. He raises his eyebrows and looks around. He probably thinks I’m a baby.
     
    “Do you have some kind of container or something in your bag?” he asks in a helpful way.
     
    “Well, there’s the water bottle, but it’s not empty,” I point out. My bladder always does this when I’m anxious.
     
    “Well, I can fix that problem. Why don’t you pass it to me and I’ll drink the contents?” he offers. “The water will take another hour to work its way through me and by then we’ll probably be out of this place.”
     

Chapter Three – Hour Two
     
    There’s no way I’m going to pee into a bottle in front of Tristan. I need to take my mind off my bladder. “We should talk about music, Tristan.” I stand up as I speak and begin walking around a bit. Maybe I can sweat off some of my urine. The movement alone makes me feel better already.
     
    He seems to warm to the topic. “OK. I like a variety of styles. Lately I’ve been listening to Adele and Ellie Goulding,” he says while taking out his IPhone. Do you want to hear Skyfall ?” He holds his phone out so that both of us can hear it. I nod and stand next to him to listen.
     
    “Sure,” I agree. “It’s one of my favs.” He selects the piece from his artist’s playlist.
     
    An aftershock rocks our space while we listen to Adele. I touch his arm to calm and steady myself. He gazes at me with wonder but doesn’t pull away. Then his arm slowly curls around my waist. I’m frightened about the shaking and his arm soothes me. His mouth turns up a bit at the corners when he notices that I’m leaning into him.
     
     
     
This is the end
     
Hold your breath and count to ten
     
Feel the earth move and then
     
Hear my heart burst again.
     
For this is the end.
     
I’ve drowned and dreamt this moment
     
So overdue I owe them
     
Swept away, I’m stolen
     
Let the sky fall
     
When it crumbles
     
We will stand tall
     
Face it together
     
     
     
    I look at Tristan as the words take on new meaning. “How spooky the lyrics are…this could be the end,” I shudder.
     
    He chuckles but his arm remains wrapped around my waist, “We can certainly feel the earth move and in more than one way.” He’s not very worried but I am.
     
    “Have you ever listened to Aerosmith’s song entitled, “ Love in an Elevator ?” he asks with a laugh.
     
    I shake my head no. “That’s not my sort of music.” Oh no, he’s trying to seduce me. Do I want this?
     
    “The lyrics seem to fit our situation perfectly,” he comments while arching his eyebrows up and down.
     
    It’s time to shift the focus, I decide. I pull away slightly for some space. His arm drops reluctantly from my waist. He pouts a bit.
     
    “Do you have any opinions about the song, Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding?” I ask with feigned innocence.
     
    “It’s much darker than her