Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
He watched me for a moment, his expression softening in a way I hadn’t expected. “Yes, deliciae,” he murmured, “I do know, but I still love to sit and listen to you talk.”
His words sent a warm flush through me, and I felt myself smiling, despite everything. It was so simple, the way he said it. I could tell he was content listening to me ramble on about something as mundane as wanting a pet. “I never thought I’d be sitting here, talking about something like that with you,” I admitted.
His smile deepened, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’d be surprised what I enjoy hearing from you, Lolita.”
There was a warmth in his gaze, a mixture of amusement and affection that made me feel... seen.
I realized that no matter how twisted or dark this world was, there was a space carved out for just us. He grew silent after a moment, his gaze drifting out toward the lake as the last of the sun's light danced on the water. The easy conversation between us faded into the quiet sounds of the evening, leaving a stillness that seemed to settle over everything.
I found myself studying his side profile, captivated by how striking he was, even when lost in thought. His face, chiseled with an almost ethereal beauty, had a symmetry that was both intimidating and mesmerizing. His skin was flawless, a bronze, brown shade that stood in sharp contrast to the onyx hue of his hair, which fell elegantly, framing his features in a way that made him appear almost otherworldly. There was a brooding intensity in his demeanor that was hard to ignore as if his thoughts were never far from the darkness that surrounded us.
The most captivating part of him, what always drew me in, were his eyes. They glistened with a fiery intensity, catching the light in a way that made them seem to burn with an inner flame. In moments like this, they seemed far away, like they held countless secrets and ambitions I could barely begin to understand. The faint scar that graced his otherwise perfect features was a subtle imperfection that only reminded me that despite the facade of control and power, there were parts of him that weren’t untouched by the world.
“You’re gorgeous.”
He turned to me instantly, his intense gaze locking onto mine, the weight of his attention fully on me. The air between us shifted, the quiet moment breaking with the force of my unintended confession. His brow lifted slightly, a slow grin forming on his lips as he studied me with a renewed interest. "Gorgeous, am I?" he asked, his voice low, teasing, yet there was an edge of sincerity beneath it.
I flushed, not meaning to have said it aloud. Now that it was out there, I couldn’t take it back. "Yeah," I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "You are."
His smile deepened, his hand reaching across the table to gently brush his fingers against mine. I tried to laugh it off, but the intensity of the moment clung to us, the air around us heavy with unspoken emotions. I couldn’t explain it, but the connection between us deepened even more as if that simple comment had pulled us closer.
He reached up to cup my face. His thumb brushed lightly against my cheek, the touch almost reverent as he studied me, as though he could see every detail in perfect clarity “And you,” he implored “are stunning.” His eyes roamed over my face with an intensity that left me speechless. “At first glance,” he began, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw, “it’s your eyes that pull people in. They remind me of something timeless and untouchable.”
He smiled and I was suddenly all too aware of how close he'd gotten. “Your skin,” he continued, his fingers brushing against my cheek again, “is like silk. Soft, warm, flawless. And your hair, when it catches the light exactly right, those undertones shimmer like gold.”
I was completely lost, his words weaving around me like a spell, holding me captive. I’d never thought of myself this way, never imagined someone could see me with such vivid detail.
“But it’s your dimples,” he added, his grin widening just a little. “Those dimples of yours—those are what disarm me the most. They give you this innocence, this playfulness that contrasts with everything else. And when you smile...” He paused, his thumb grazing over the corner of my lip. “It’s devastating.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“You have no idea, do you?” he questioned, leaning in even closer. “How beautiful you are. How everything about you captivates me. I love sitting here, listening to you talk, watching you smile, seeing you just be…you,” he continued softly.
There was no way to respond to that. All I could do was stare up at him, speechless, my breath shallow as his gaze held mine. Alexander’s hand moved from my cheek to grip my chin, his fingers firm but careful as he tilted my face up toward him. Before I could process it, his mouth was on mine, claiming me with a kiss that left no room for hesitation. It was deep, consuming, and impossibly intense.