Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 35767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
“I want to stay here forever, Luca. I don’t want to leave.”
“You’re young.”
“And you think that means I just want to leave? To go and explore the world because that is what every other young person does?”
“Mavis, people change their minds.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that, and I’m not going to force you to do something you shouldn’t. I’m not that kind of monster.”
She felt tears well up in her eyes, and she didn’t know what to say or do that would make him see that she meant business. That she wanted to stay with him and that it wasn’t just a bunch of words to her.
God help her.
She had fallen in love with him, and now she felt sick again.
He leaned over, kissing her cheek. “Now, stay. Don’t think I won’t remember that this means a spanking is coming your way.”
“I’m sick.”
“You won’t always be, and I will take care of you.” He kissed her again, and she watched him leave the room, wanting nothing more than for him to join her.
Wrapping his blankets around her naked body, she closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of him.
To her, it didn’t matter what anyone said, Luca was part of her life, and she didn’t want to give him up, not now, not ever. She let sleep finally claim her as there was nothing else that she could do right now, and she was so tired.
Chapter Ten
Mavis had a temperature, and the doctor had already come out to check on her. Luca didn’t mind taking care of her. He actually loved it, sitting with her, reading to her, or just helping her eat soup.
The doctor had said he’d done the right thing to bring her body back up to the correct temperature, but now it was just the wait for her to get better. Not only was Mavis in his bed, fast asleep, but Annabel had already called to say that she’d be arriving soon.
He was so fucking pissed off.
With himself.
With the world.
He didn’t want Mavis to settle for living here, to be a recluse.
She deserved the fucking world.
Her parents, his best friend had forced her to hide because they were ashamed that she didn’t fit their standards of beauty. Running a hand down his face, he turned toward the bathroom, the only room in the house that had a damn mirror. He knew Mavis used it most.
Opening the bathroom door, he stared at the mirror. He needed to move a couple of steps before he could look at his reflection. Taking a deep breath, he took those two steps.
He’d not looked at his reflection full-on in a long time. He did everything to avoid staring at his face. He remembered what he looked like.
The one-time golden boy with the green eyes and perfect face.
Staring at the sink, he felt his stomach clench. He closed his eyes, and as he did he pictured Mavis. The way her hand caressed his cheek. The smile that danced in her eyes. The fact he saw the love shining for him and only for him. No one else could take that away. She loved him. Even if she’d never said the words, he knew the truth.
Mavis loved him.
She was devoted to him.
That day in the pool, he’d seen it so fucking clearly. She’d been hurt by his rejection, and all he’d wanted to do was protect her, to love her. To make sure no one took her away.
Stepping into the bathroom, he turned and faced the mirror. He shouldn’t have been with Mavis. She was young, beautiful. Her life was only just beginning.
At thirty-six years old, he’d done so much and had a great deal taken from him in a short space of time.
Finally, he lifted his gaze up, and stared at his reflection.
The young, fickle man no longer stared back at him. He wasn’t young or naïve anymore. He wasn’t the disgusting monster that others painted him to be. He had a scar that didn’t even cover the whole of his face. His green eyes stared back at him, and he couldn’t see what everyone’s problem was.
He wasn’t traditionally handsome.
The scar didn’t control him. It didn’t define him.
He was more than what people wanted him to be.
She’s yours for the taking.
He heard the doorbell ring, and he wasn’t confused anymore, nor was he in any way unsure of what he wanted for his future.
He wanted Mavis.
She belonged to him.
The world had had their chance to take her. They’d not taken her, and now he was going to have her and keep her.
“You love her. Don’t let her get away.”
Leaving the bathroom, he found Susan had already let the blonde in.
“You found us okay?” he asked.
Annabel had been looking around the space, clearly liking what she saw.
“Yes, it’s not easy to find though.”
“It’s not supposed to be. Susan, could you please make us some coffee and bring it through to my office?”