Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
"Please," she cries, pushing my head away, and the sight of her, her cheeks red and tears streaming down her face, I almost find my release on sight.
"Oh, baby," I groan, and the second my mouth touches hers, the world is a beautiful place.
"That...that was intense," she whispers, and when she smiles, it's the most beautiful thing in the world. "What's...next?"
"Now, I'm going home," I hiss. "You're going back to your house, where for the meantime, you will proceed to forget all about me until the new year. We're not hiding anything if we're not doing anything currently, do you get what I'm saying? Until then, you are not to mention my name, or tell anyone about me. And then, the New Year's party is the new beginning for us."
"But that's almost a month away," she cries.
"Don't exaggerate. It's going to be hard, baby, but we've got to keep a distance. I'll see you at the Christmas party at my place, but not a second before," I mutter. "Got it?"
"No, Viper.No, please. Don't do this. It feels like I'm being punished." she whimpers, and when she looks into my eyes, her pain is palpable.
"I'm sorry, baby. But I have to. We have to," I hiss. "We have a lot to talk about. So, I'll text you tomorrow."
"Okay," she sniffles.
"Get dressed, and get out of here," I say, handing her the dress.
"What? No, please," she cries, reaching for my cock. "I want it. You said we could."
"I changed my mind," I say, and the look of defeat in her eyes makes my chest hurt.
"But, why? I thought...I thought you were serious. About me being yours," she whispers, and her words cut through me. "Don't you want to fill me up one more time before our one month hiatus?"
"This is a trial run for the long month we'll have," I say, and her tears are too much. "Iris, please don't fight me on this."
"Okay. I'll go," she whispers, and when her arms wrap around me, I let myself fall apart.
"You're mine. Always. And I'll be waiting for you. But, for now, I can't. I can't risk this. Risk hurting her," I hiss, and as the words leave my lips, they cut through me. "We both know I've hurt Allegra enough."
"Fine," she whimpers, and as I pull away, I take one final look. "I'll miss you, Daddy."
"Fuck, baby, I'm going to miss you too," I hiss.
"Then stay," she cries desperately.
"I can't. I'm sorry, baby. So, so sorry," I hiss.
"Yeah. Me too," she whispers, and with that, she gets dressed.
She leaves without a word, and the second the door closes, I know this is wrong.
I have a choice. And, right now, the choice is easy.
My daughter comes first.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Iris
I stand before the closet in my luxurious room at Desire House, staring blankly at the rows of dark lace dresses and leather jackets.
No matter how many designer outfits surround me, my mind keeps drifting to him.
To Viper.
Staying here more than the apartment he bought for me and Allegra somehow feels safer, less intimate.
But even amidst the opulence and velvet furnishings, I can't escape thoughts of his tattoo-covered flesh against mine, his commanding presence, the way he unravels me with a mere glance from those piercing eyes.
I slide hangers aside with more force than necessary, metal screeching against the rod.
I need a distraction, and I need it now.
Before I throw on a raven black dress and storm over to his estate, propriety and secrets be damned.
My phone buzzes from the vanity and I welcome the intrusion.
Crossing the room, I swipe to see a text from Allegra:
Iris!!!! I have the PERFECT plan for tonight. Get your hot ass over here ASAP so we can pick outfits and pregame. It's time to show Tinsel Creek how it's done.
I can't help but smile.
Leave it to Allegra to sense when I need a girls night out.
Feeling energized by the promise of an epic evening, I tap out a reply:
On my way, babe. Hope you're ready to choose between lace and leather because my closet is STACKED. Xx
I toss the phone onto the bed and pivot back to my wardrobe with renewed determination.
Flicking past the darker shades, a flash of emerald green catches my eye.
I pluck the hanger out and hold up a slinky silk dress with a dangerously high slit.
It's a showstopper and exactly what I need to feel powerful tonight.
Draping it carefully into a garment bag, I gather the rest of the necessities—sky-high stilettos, a fringed clutch, and the diamond choker Viper sent over here last week.
I know it’s a gift to let me know he’s thinking about me, that I’m on his mind.
"Stop it," I mutter under my breath, giving my head a firm shake.
I will not let him infiltrate every crevice of my mind, not when a wild night with my best friend awaits.