Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“You're ridiculous,” I said and began to brush my teeth.
He laughed. “On a serious note, how are things going to be between you two from now on? I recall he wasn’t exactly your favorite person.”
“He still isn’t,” I muttered.
He shoved another spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. “But he makes you feel safe.”
I spat and rinsed my toothbrush. “Yes. I don’t know why, but he does, otherwise, I would never have allowed him to come close to me for any reason.”
“I’ve always loved a good romance,” he said dreamily.
“Look, I have to go,” I said.
“Okay, honey, but keep me updated?”
I ended the call, ran a hairbrush through my hair, and headed into the shower. The warm water was soothing and I luxuriated in it a lot longer than I usually did. Wrapped in a big fluffy towel, I returned to my room, opened the thick drapes, and let in bright yellow sunshine.
Wow! How different the buildings outside were. There was a red phone booth below and people walking on the sidewalk. Suddenly, I was excited to explore this new city. Just then my phone pinged with a message from Dante.
I’ve sent one of my men up to your room to escort you down if you’re interested in joining me for breakfast.
Before I could answer, another message came in. It was from Antoine.
Don’t avoid him. He might be a good distraction for you.
I was still smiling at the message as I got dressed quickly. Indeed, one of his big burly men was standing outside the door as I emerged.
“Good morning,” I greeted.
He nodded politely and silently began to walk so I followed closely behind. It was an old hotel with great charm and a far cry from modern hotels. We arrived at the hotel’s restaurant, but to my surprise, we weren’t having breakfast with the other patrons. Instead, I was shown to a private area dotted by his men. And over in a corner overlooking London’s distinctive skyline was the current object of my distraction. With the sunshine behind him, he looked regal, his suit the color of cold steel, his eyes polished aquamarine, and his jaw stern.
There was nothing in his grim expression or mannerism that alluded to the memory of the whirlwind that happened between us last night. As I settled into the chair across from him, it was almost easier to convince myself it didn’t happen, that I’d dreamed it all than to convince myself it did.
Except for the swollen state of my sex.
And the craving. The crazy, uncontrollable craving for him. I finally had to admit to the aching need to finish what we started, preferably before we returned because then everything would return to grimness and desolation again. And having to deal with the dreaded idea of leaving everything I knew and starting all over again.
I pushed the painful thought away and tried my best to relax as I spread the napkin over my lap and perused the assortment of food on the table and cart beside us.
“This is a lot,” I said.
All of his attention was on me, and it was so intense my hand instinctively reached up to my hair. I’d changed my hairstyle into a half-up and half-down do. It wasn’t in its usual ponytail. I’d put on red lipstick for some life and color, and applied some mascara.
“Good morning,” he murmured.
God, even his voice made the air between us crash and burn.
“Good morning,” I mumbled, as I grabbed a croissant and two miniature apricot jam bottles. I cut the croissant in half and spread so much jam on it, that his eyes widened with surprise
“You’ll be heading out for some sightseeing?” he asked as he leaned back and lifted his cup of coffee to his lips.
“Yes, I was planning to. It should be okay, shouldn’t it? We’re in London and no one knows I’m here. Except Antoine.”
He frowned and his eyes were suddenly sharp as they slid to me.
I took a bite of my croissant and shook my head. “Don’t worry. I’ve known Antoine for years. He’d rather die than betray me.”
“Everything is under control and I’d like it to stay that way. We don’t want to put Antoine’s loyalty to the test,” he said, and the hardness in his tone sent chills down my spine.
I dabbed the corners of my mouth with my napkin. “So, can I, or can’t I go?”
“You can. Just let me know where you’d like to go and my men will take you there and keep watch over you.”
“Hang on,” I said. “I’m asking this out of pure curiosity, but don’t you need to be protected as well? Aren’t you at risk too? Ugo can attack you too, right?”
“He can,” he replied coldly, “but I can take care of myself.”
“Ah,” I replied sarcastically. “But I can’t.”
“Can you?”