Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“Try me,” she challenges.
All right.
I slide out of the car and help her out next. She accepts my hand, but this time, she pulls me in and wraps her other hand around my bicep as she looks around the entire place with wonderment in her eyes.
“Is that the gum wall?” She points as we enter the start of the path through the market.
“Yes, it’s pretty popular… and disgusting if you ask me,” I tell her.
“Are you afraid of germs?” She laughs, looking up at me.
“And what if I was?” I question.
“You literally get people's blood splattered on you for a living, but a gum wall is pushing limits.”
That’s fair.
“We all have our things. I’m sure you have one.”
“I do. I hate deep bodies of water. That is a no for me.” She shivers.
“Really? So if I would have taken us swimming off the back of the yacht, you would have thrown a fit?” I ask, getting in line at the place I chose to eat.
“Not a fit, but I definitely would have pushed you overboard and took off to hide somewhere on the boat.” She lays her head on my arm, just above her hand, and I notice now more than I did before the difference in our heights.
“I would have chased you down and thrown you in.”
“Animal,” she retorts.
“I can be.” I lean down, grip her chin between my thumb and pointer finger, and give her a deep kiss. She moans into my mouth, and I have to pull myself away, because I don’t want others hearing her sexy noises.
“So what do they serve here?”
“The best fucking sandwiches. It’s worth this line.” It’s an indoor sandwich shop, but the line is always out the door and starts on the cobblestone path.
“I love a good sandwich. I always get the works.” She smiles.
“Good, because there are a lot to choose from.” We talk about the different types of meat they have, and when it's our turn, we decide to get two different kinds to split and share. We then hit the cobblestones again and eat while we walk.
She takes a bite of the Philly cheesesteak and moans.“Oh my God, Nico, this is so good.” She wipes the corner of her mouth as she chews it the rest of the way and swallows. Damn it, she’s fucking gorgeous, even with her mouth full.
“I know. That's why it's my favorite. Let’s try this turkey club. I’ve never had it.” I take a bite and remember why I love this place so much. I used to come a lot more when I was younger, but when I took over the business, I didn’t have time to make pit stops at a sandwich shop in the city.
At this moment, I feel… normal. Something I haven't felt in a very long time. The responsibilities I have and the power I hold all dissipates, and it just feels like a normal fucking day with an extraordinary woman. The woman I get to call my wife and take home tonight to fuck until we both can’t take anymore.
That’s a fucking legacy I would proudly die with.
We keep walking and making small talk. She wants to stop at every tourist spot, and I indulge her. You’d think this is her first time out in the wild. This day feels like it will never end, but this is the first time in my life I can say with confidence that I never want it to.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
NICO
By the time we have hit every shop, she has a bag filled with Seattle merchandise and a hat she is now wearing as we walk down to the dock.
“Nico, this is awesome. Thank you. I feel like such a tourist.” She laughs, and I take her bag from her and resume holding her hand with my free one.
“You look like one.” I chuckle.
“Shush, I am enjoying it. Let me have it.” She lightly slaps my arm, and I just shake my head.“You clearly never get out. Are you having fun?” she asks a moment later.
“I’m having fun, because you look like you’ve never been outside before,” I tease.
“Ha-ha,” she mocks. “But really, what do you like to do for fun?”
“I told you. Work.”
“Boring. Come on, Nico,” she urges, nudging my shoulder.
“Fine. I like reading and swimming. It’s relaxing, and it’s the only time my brain shuts off.”
“I like to read too. Do you have a favorite genre?” she implores, and I will admit, this feels weird. Getting to know her is easy, but me sharing things about myself? That's not something I can say I like doing. At all.
“Horror.”
“Shocker.” She laughs. “Gore and all?”
“Yes. And mystery,” I add.
“That checks out. I like mystery too, but I have to have some romance in it.”
“Shocker,” I use her word against her.
“Well, I do. Nothing is sexier than solving a mystery and having wild, passionate sex.” She shrugs, and I stop us, this time turning and pulling her into me.