Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Only if I get the pleasure of your company?”
“Of course.” She kept smiling even as her face was flushed. “Please excuse me, I have to change.”
“I’ll order dinner,” I said.
She didn’t look at me. Gritting my teeth, I waited for her to leave before excusing myself, and going to Adelaide. She was at the doorway of our closet, looking in.
I grabbed her waist, spun her around, and pressed her up against the wall. “Your little silent game ends tonight,” I said.
She glared at me.
“Oh, I understand. You want me to play the doting wife, right? The one that can’t touch her husband.” She suddenly shoved her hands up above her head. “Don’t worry, I won’t give the game away that there’s no chance of us ever having kids, since that would require you to actually want my touch, but we know that’s not what you want. All you want to do is get your rocks off.”
She took a deep breath, and I hated to admit it, her fire turned me on.
We’d not broken Adelaide yet. This life wasn’t for weak women. It destroyed weak women, but as I stared at Adelaide, I wondered if I’d misjudged her.
“Are you done?” I asked.
“Yes. I’ll be out to entertain our guest soon.”
Her lips looked too good to deny myself, and so I didn’t. I slammed my lips down on hers, capturing her wrists, which were still above her head, and taking complete advantage of the situation, kissing her hard. At first, she protested, wriggling against me as if to ward me off, but it didn’t take long for her to give in and start kissing me back.
I broke the kiss first, stepping back, giving us some space.
“Don’t be late.”
I was being a dick, and I didn’t care. When it came to Adelaide, I’d take whatever I got.
Chapter Nine
Adelaide
“You’re quiet today,” Nathan said.
Leo stood a few feet away looking every part the disapproving guard. He wouldn’t allow me to be alone with Nathan, even though I knew he was a good guy. My one and only best friend.
“I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot of things on my mind.”
“You can share them, you know.” Nathan glanced back at Leo and frowned. “Does he have to come to every single one of our meet-ups?”
“My husband is a little bit paranoid. This makes him feel safer.”
“I’m surprised he’d allow you to come and see me.”
I pressed my lips together.
“Ah, I take it he doesn’t like it?”
“I … I don’t have to do everything he wants.”
Nathan laughed. It was a deep, throaty laugh as he sat back.
I felt a little cold. The summer was ending fast and fall was approaching. I normally loved this time of year, heading into winter. I loved the seasons—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year. There was so much to enjoy and celebrate during this incredibly dark period, and yet, nothing felt right. My marriage was a complete disaster.
Andrei and I were simply existing together. In the past few weeks, he’d been so busy with work. He rarely came home for dinner, and when we were in the same room for longer than five minutes, we ended up yelling at each other.
Some people would think I was a fool to anger my husband in such a way. He was Bratva, but I just couldn’t help it. He drove me crazy. I was so angry at him, but also, he made me feel so alone.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried to ward off the cold.
Nathan tutted. “I don’t know who you’re trying to please with these outfits you wear, but it’s not me. You’re going to catch your death in this.”
I smiled as he removed his jacket and placed it over my shoulders. “What about you?”
He shrugged. “I run hot. I’m not cold at all.”
“I can’t take your coat.”
“You can, Adelaide. It’s the least I can do.”
I sighed. He always seemed to be taking care of me. “So, how long will you be staying?” Nathan had only meant to be here for a couple of weeks, but his plans had changed, and he’d been staying at some hotel. I couldn’t remember the name of it.
“A couple more weeks. Business is going great. Also, I can’t just leave, not yet.” He nudged my shoulder. “I’ve got my bestie most days. You know how selfish I can be.”
I laughed and rolled my eyes. “You’re not selfish at all.”
“When am I going to meet this husband of yours?” he asked. “You won’t even allow me to come and visit you at your place. You do know how secretive you’re being?”
“My husband is not for everyone.” She shrugged. “Trust me, you’re not missing a whole lot.”
Nathan was interrupted by the ring of his cell phone. “I’ve got to take this.” He stepped away from me and I leaned forward, staring down at the ground. His jacket was nice and warm, but the chill I suffered was from the inside and there was no getting away from that.