Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
I step back and shake my head. “I know what you told me, Damien, but you know what? I have work to do as well, yet you get up and leave without asking about my career!” My heart pounds and I lick my lips. “Why are you holding me captive here?”
“Captive?” He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re not captive. We can leave anytime. I thought you liked it here.”
The condescending tone makes my anger rise. “Only because I stupidly assumed we would be here together, Damien. Your job isn’t more important than mine.”
“Who said it was?” He comes closer until he’s close enough to touch me, and damn he smells good. “I love that you’re passionate about your career, that you chase bad guys and put them behind bars. I love it and admire it.”
“Then why am I still here?”
“I’m just looking out for you, kitten. If it’s too much for you, too mentally taxing, maybe you should take a leave of absence?”
I was just starting to relax in his arms, to let go of the tension, but my whole body goes taut, and I slowly pull back until our gazes lock. “What did you say?”
He holds up his hands, a look of genuine hurt on his face. “I’m not saying you have to or that you should, just that it’s an option. This case seems to take a toll on you, more than your usual cases. Am I right?”
I nod because he’s right, The Butcher case has been more difficult than my others, but it’s also my first serial killer. “Maybe all of this is too much, Damien.”
“That’s all I’m saying,” he agrees.
“I wasn’t finished,” I snap. “Maybe you’re right and the case is a lot, but that’s my job. Maybe the problem is getting into a relationship and getting married in the middle of such an important case.” I take a few more steps back and suddenly things are clearing up. “Maybe what we need is a break, at least until the case is over. Solved.”
“Is that really want you want?”
“I think it’s what I need, what we both need, actually. It’s clear you have other things going on, too. We’re both busy and maybe we should focus on what we do best. Work.”
His brows dip and he frowns, closing the gap between us once again. “That’s not what I want, Francesca. Is it what you want?”
“I know I don’t want to be an afterthought in my own damn house, Damien. We’re not ready for this.”
“That’s not true, my pet.” He’s there again, right in front of me with his muscular arms around me. “We are ready. I love you and you love me, hell you’re meant for me, kitten.”
When he says things like this, I feel like I’m being unreasonable, that I’m the crazy one here. It’s frustrating, feeling as if I’m not myself and I lean into him. “Damien, don’t.”
“Don’t what? Don’t tell you how I feel? Because I love you Francesca and I don’t feel so bad about our growing pains as a married couple. I don’t want to take a break and work. I want us to work. I need you.” His second hand slides up to cup my face, resting his forehead against mine. “If you don’t love me and you don’t want to make things work out, tell me what I can do.”
“I-I-I never said that.” Did I?
“Not in so many words, no.” His shoulders fall and he takes a step back, but he never stops touching me. “Let’s just take tonight to be together. I’ll heat the spa and open some champagne, see if we can get back to where we were. Can we do that?”
Everything in me wants to say yes, but I hesitate, anyway. I love this man, and I want him in my life and at my side. I can’t walk away from him, definitely over a few bumps. Can I? No.
I look at him, and the raw emotion in his eyes catches me off guard. He looks almost pained, like he’s afraid I’ll leave him. “I love you, Damien. I do.”
“Good.” His voice cuts through the moment, sharp and final, leaving no room for doubt. “Then let’s focus on that.”
The hot tub bubbles invitingly as I slip into the heated water, still a little angry about our fight but unable to resist when Damien hands me champagne, his eyes dark with intent. The mountain air nips at my wet skin, and the heat between us has nothing to do with the water temperature.
“Still mad at me, kitten?” His voice is silk over steel as he pulls me onto his lap. I should push away, should hold on to my anger about his mysterious disappearances, but his touch sets my skin on fire. The champagne bubbles tickle my nose as I take a long sip, buying time.