Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“I know you’ve never reacted this way to a man before, so this is all new to you,” he says softly. “But don’t worry, angel. I’ll teach you everything you need to know. But not yet...”
His fingers on my leg reach up and swipe against my pussy. I gasp, but he pulls them from under my skirt right away, smirking at me.
“Just as I thought,” he grins. “When did you stop wearing panties?”
I flush, looking away. “I j-just... If I wear them, I have to keep changing them.”
“Why, angel?”
“If you’re around, I just...”
“Yes?”
“I just...” I shoot daggers at him with my gaze. “I drip and they get too wet, so there’s really no point in wearing them if I know I’m going to see you that day.”
“Cute,” Xavier smirks, surprising me by walking away and sitting at his desk again. “Go play with the dogs now, angel. I’m busy.”
I hesitate, drawing circles on the hardwood with my toes. “Well... what about Antonio?”
Xavier’s eyes fly up to me from the pile of papers on his desk, eyebrows shooting up. “What about him?”
“You’re going to give him another chance?” I ask.
“That’s what I said, didn’t I?” Xavier grunts, narrowing his eyes at me. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
I shake my head, mutter a confused sorry, and run out of his office. I don’t stop until I’m back in my room, where Julio opens the door for me. He is on watch again. And I can tell he’s still suspicious of me.
Exasperated, I throw myself on my bed and giggle when the dogs jump up with me and start licking my face.
At least I found something good here, at Xavier’s place. The dogs will be by my side forever. I couldn’t bear to lose them now. They already mean so much to me.
If Xavier ever took them from me, I’d have to kill him for it. They’re like family now. They certainly love me more than my parents ever did.
Chapter 7
TALLULAH
Xavier thinks I don’t know about my surprise birthday party. I will not reveal I know. It’s better if he thinks of me as his naive, innocent ward.
The actual surprise, however, is waiting for me in the banquet hall as I descend the marble staircase in a midnight blue gown, a tight pearl choker around my neck and long black velvet gloves on my arms.
When I see my family standing in the foyer, my face lights up. Mom and Dad are serious, but even they look excited to see me. I race downstairs when a small body comes crashing against mine. Mathilda is quietly crying, clutching me with both arms as if she’s afraid I’m going to disappear into thin air again as soon as she blinks.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’m right here.”
She nods, and her small hand finds its way into mine. We continue the rest of the journey together. In the hall, Xavier stands in the shadows of the darkened windows, watching me with a smirk. I couldn’t see him before, and I was too distracted by the sight of my family. But seeing him in the same room shoots a jolt of electricity down my spine, just like always.
He nods at me, a sign of approval. I embrace Mom and Dad and kiss their cheeks. They do the same. Dad stiffens when Xavier approaches us, grabbing onto Mom as if my godfather is going to rip her away from him. But Xavier only has eyes for me.
“Tell me, Tallulah,” my guardian speaks without even glancing at my parents. “Did you know I was planning a party?”
I smile lightly, choosing honesty this time. “I had an inkling of an idea. But I didn’t expect my family to be here. Thank you, Xavier.”
Things are a little tense - not between me and my sister, but between my parents. They must be disappointed. I didn’t want to see them the last time I had a chance. I wish I could explain it to them, tell them I need to stay focused, and their proximity is only making my job harder. But I can’t. Not in front of everyone.
“I’m glad I can still surprise you,” Xavier winks. “Come, let’s have dinner.”
Proprietorially, his hand wraps around my arm, and he drags me toward the dining hall. In there, dimmed lights and candles illuminate the long table laden with food and expensive cutlery. At home, the birthday girl would usually seat at the head of the table, but this time there is no question that Xavier is the head of the house despite my special occasion.
There are several guests there, most of them from Xavier’s cartel, along with their partners. Mom, Dad and Mathilda also came with some guards. I shyly raise my hand and wave at Phoenix, one of my dad’s men, when Xavier isn’t looking. With a bittersweet smile, Phoenix waves back.