Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I cleared my throat and signaled for the check, deciding it was time to change the subject.
“Ready to see the sights?”
“You don’t have to work?” She blurted out. “Rather than playing tour guide to your servant?”
“You are more than a servant to me,” I said curtly. “You may want to freshen up before we depart.”
She blinked, looking wounded. I narrowed my eyes as she excused herself hurriedly. I stared at her sexy back as she walked through the Palm Court at the Plaza. I wanted to take her upstairs and have my way with her. If she was mine, I would have rented hotel rooms throughout the city, merely to make love to her as easily and often as possible.
My security team might have something to say about that, I thought with a wry twist of my mouth. It would certainly make things more difficult for them. But I had faith that they could handle it.
I signed the check just as Mishka returned. I offered my arm as we strode through the hotel amidst my guards. We attracted stares, as always. But for once I knew it was not just me.
In fact, it seemed that no one at all was looking at me. They were all staring at the woman on my arm.
My companion was one of the most beautiful women in New York. Perhaps even the world. She could be a model, or an actress. She was exquisite.
I had known she was lovely, of course. But I had not been prepared for how she looked in her new clothes. I had spent half the meal merely staring at her.
It would take some getting used to, I realized. Years most likely. A lifetime, perhaps. The truth was, I longed to be able to gaze at her for the rest of my life.
Our lives. Together.
Long may they be.
We were in the limousine when Mishka asked me where we were going first.
“That is up to you. Art or Dinosaurs. Or more shopping,” I teased.
“Please no,” she protested, looking alarmed.
I laughed.
“You are one of a kind, Mishka. I hope you will allow me to spoil you from time to time.”
She said nothing. She looked uncertain. The girl was intelligent. She knew there was more to the offer than simply spoiling her. I wanted to keep her and claim her. I wanted everything she had and more.
I wanted everything she was.
I could not blame her for being nervous. Not only was the sexual tension between us palpable, but my mood was mercurial around her to say the least. I had found myself staring at her and frowning many times over the past weeks.
If she thought I was a moody, mean-spirited bastard, I would not blame her.
“Art,” she said impulsively. “And then dinosaurs?”
“Alright, my sweet. And there is a very special treat near the museum of natural history.”
“Treat?”
“The best hot dogs in New York City.”
She stared at me, then burst into laughter. If she thought I was joking about the hot dogs, she was in for a surprise. I took food very seriously. She had a lot to learn about me, I realized. And I had a lot to learn about her.
I could hardly wait to open the book of Mishka. I had never wanted to read another story more in my life. I had never wanted to become a part of a story more in my life.
For the first time in a long time, I sensed that she might let me peek inside her.
“Hmmm modern or classic?” I asked.
“Your choice,” she said prettily. I smiled.
“Classic it is.”
Chapter 24
Mishka
Istared up at the ceiling far above. The room was as big as a city block. Well-dressed people of all ages walked briskly, but with an air of reverence and awe.
“It’s called ‘the great hall’,” Anton offered. I nodded. It definitely was great. In fact, that was a massive understatement. “History or art?”
“Both?”
“We could spend the whole day here.”
“A week!” I said, giving him a mischievous grin as he took my hand and led me to the ticket booth. The smile he gave me in return took my breath away. It was so unguarded and filled with joy. And he was so handsome.
My heart lurched in my chest. He was… beautiful. And for just an instant, I saw the little boy in him, and it melted some of the ice around my heart.
I had forgotten for a moment that he was my captor. My master. My owner. I had simply seen him as a human. A man.
It scared me in a way that I could not have imagined. Caring about him felt dangerous. But what if it wasn’t?
What if we could be… friends?
I exhaled deeply and settled my mind and my heart. A moment later, Anton was standing close, pining a fold over tab button to my lapel. His presence was overwhelming. I could smell him. He smelled of soap and wind and pine. I could almost smell a forest overlooking the sea. I could see the cliffs. I could feel the warmth of a bonfire.