Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“Oh, you like me. In fact, I think you secretly want me to take complete control of you, Ena.”
“No one likes giving up complete control, Marco.”
While we were talking the phone had stopped. Now, it begins ringing again, and I sigh.
Fucking hell!
“It’s okay, Marco. Take your time. I have some stuff to do today,” she says. She slaps her palm against my chest and pulls away.
As she takes her first step, I grab her hand and roughly pull her back to me. I lean in and claim her mouth, thrusting my tongue inside determined to show her just how much I need and want her. I wage a war in her mouth, our tongues fighting, and I don’t stop until she gives me what I need to survive a few hours without her.
Chapter 15
Helena
If I looked the word confusing up in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure Marco’s picture would be right there. I’m standing out on the balcony in my room here at his house, my gaze zeroed in on the moon. It’s full tonight and bathing the darkness with a soft light that reminds me even when life is a mess, there is beauty. I’m lonely tonight. It’s ironic, because honestly, I’ve been lonely most of my life. I’ve never felt it more than I do right now, however.
I’ve spent the day alone. That’s nothing new, but somehow after my date with Marco and our conversation this morning, I thought he’d at least try to see me throughout the day. Part of me feels as if I’m being childish. I know Marco has a lot on his plate. He’s also working for Antonio now and has responsibilities. All that plus the fact he’s trying to redo this house is a lot. Still, I’ve spent my life being ignored. Last night, after I gave up and let Marco have his way by sitting in his lap while he fed me, it was a great night. The best I’ve ever had really. We laughed—well, okay, I laughed. Marco had a dry wit that I enjoyed. He touched my hair, talked to me as if I mattered and for a while, he made me feel almost as beautiful as he did that night long ago in my bedroom.
That meant, this morning I had high hopes, and they were dashed. First, by him being an asshole, and then second, by once again having him push me in the background while he put business first. Something is settling inside me and it’s something I don’t like. Instinctively, I know that if I stay with Marco, that it won’t change. This will be my life. I don’t think I can handle that, not even with the beauty that was last night. Maybe I’m being stupid trying to find a fairytale where they don’t exist. It’s just I see Melina with her Antonio. That man would move mountains for her, and he has been that way from day one. He hunted her down and rescued her on what was to be her wedding day to a monster. He moved heaven and earth to save her when we were kidnapped by her brothers and one of my guards. The love between them is so beautiful and real it’s breathtaking.
I want that.
I want it in a way that I can taste it. The need for it has grown down inside of me, in the darkest regions imaginable and just the hint that I might find it caused a blaring sunlight to expose it, ripping me open from the inside.
And Marco did give me a taste of it last night.
He didn’t want me away from him. He had me in his lap in a busy, five-star restaurant for Athens’ elite. It wasn’t my scene. I can live it, but I prefer not to. I’m more of a curl on the sofa, snuggle in and watch a movie kind of girl. I mean, sure, sometimes a girl likes to dress up and go out, but eating at a restaurant where even the staff seems to have sticks in their asses as they walk is not my thing. Still, that’s what he gave me and since he gave me all of his attention, it was beautiful.
Now after the promise that was yesterday, today has been the complete opposite. I even ate dinner alone. This, sadly, is nothing new. I’ve had more dinners alone than I’ve had with other people. It’s just, I thought it would be different now.
And it’s not. I’m lonely.
“What are you thinking, gazing at the moon that way, Princess?”
I jerk as I hear Marco’s voice. I don’t turn around. I feel tears too close to the surface and I need to get those under control.
“Just that it’s beautiful,” I mostly lie.
My eyes close from the bittersweet pain that hits me when Marco stands behind me. His arms go around my waist, and he pulls be back into his warm, hard body. Immediately, I feel his beard tickle my skin as he buries his head between my shoulder and my neck, kissing me right where my pulse is jumping crazily. His scent envelopes me and I bite my lip to keep from sighing out loud. I do angle my neck to give him more room. It’s probably a weakness, but I can’t help it. I’ve been in love with Marco since I saw him interact with Melina. I didn’t know what love was then, I just wanted him for my own protector. As I got older those feelings changed. Other girls had crushes on boys they knew or famous stars. It wasn’t that way for me.