Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 156(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
He liked her impatience, it was cute, and he found it adorable. “You’re mine,” he said.
Vanessa sighed and sat back. “That makes absolutely no sense to me. None. Does that mean you’re going to marry me? What am I to you?”
“Since when do you ask a lot of questions?” Diago asked.
He wasn’t annoyed with her being vocal, he liked it, as well as her attitude. It was actually refreshing.
“Don’t you think I’m allowed to ask questions? You come to my father’s party, take me without any explanation, and then what? I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do next. I didn’t even know where I was supposed to sleep, or what you wanted me to do. I don’t get this.” She slammed her hand down on the table.
Diago had been watching her for a while. Not just at parties, but every chance he’d been able, and not once had he seen this kind of passion in her, which he was now marveling at.
“You do know your parents are thinking I’m doing something to you,” he said.
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Sex, yes, I know all about it.”
This made him smile even wider. “Did they have a little talk with you about what happens between a man and a woman?”
She glared at him. “If you must know, my nanny explained it all.”
“Oh, a nanny, sorry, forgive me, I didn’t realize you had a nanny, Princess.”
“Don’t call me Princess. It wasn’t like that. Maureen was … wonderful.”
Her fire seemed to die instantly as he watched her.
“What?” he asked.
Vanessa shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“No.”
He stared at her, and she glared right back.
“Do you know what people think of me?” Diago asked. “How they react to me?”
“They fear you.”
“And they do so for good reason. I don’t think I need to remind you of why it’s important you heed that advice.”
She snorted and pushed her chair back. “First of all, I can only heed advice you give me, and you haven’t told me anything other than to not be stupid. Second, it is none of your business. Third, I have a right to know if you plan to kill me, or if I should get settled in for the duration.”
Diago liked this side of her. He didn’t want a meek little woman living with him. The fire and passion in her gaze was highly addictive, and he didn’t want it to end as he watched her. She looked exquisite.
“I suggest you get settled in because you’re not going anywhere. Your father is never going to have you back. He already considered you damaged before, and spending time with me is not going to improve matters.” He cut a large piece of chicken and took a bite, chewing slowly, methodically, while keeping his eye on her.
She didn’t move.
“And I also suggest you sit down and finish your food,” he said.
She looked at her plate and he was pretty sure she was tempted to throw it at him, but she didn’t. He marveled at her strength of will. This was indeed a good sign, one he was enjoying.
At first, she didn’t eat, and he refused to say anything more. He was enjoying the food, and it was nice to know she could cook something.
Killing always did make him hungry, and this was far better than any takeout.
She picked up her knife and fork, and he waited as she cut into the chicken and then took a large slice.
“As for finding somewhere to sleep, pick a room. It is not up to me to do that. Find what you want, and don’t bother me. Don’t try to run, don’t try to escape, it will be pointless.”
“Fine, so I’m pretty much being left to my own devices?” she asked.
“Yes.” He didn’t have time to babysit.
“Okay, fine, I can handle that. But…” She stopped and began to nibble her lip, glancing toward the window, overlooking the garden as if it was some kind of lifeline.
He waited. Vanessa was going to have to learn that the only way to handle him was to talk to him. He was no mind reader. He didn’t have the time or inclination to read between the lines, nor did he want to. She needed to learn to speak up.
Her parents were never going to recognize the woman they had failed.
“I wanted to go for a walk and I couldn’t leave the house. Am I allowed to leave the house?”
“I will give you the code and the key, to give you access to the gardens. I will warn you, I have a secure fence that will stop you from leaving.”
“What is it, an electrical fence?” she asked.
“I would advise for your own safety that you do not touch it,” he said.
“Oh.” Her lips formed a perfect circle.
He had his property locked tight.
There was no one who would harm her, and no one knew where he lived. Vanessa was completely safe, as long as she remained on his property or with him. He had already provided her with clothing and everything her heart could desire.