Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
After a while, there’s another knock. I pull myself from the bed, exhausted and beyond run down. The knock comes again, harder and louder this time. More like a banging. “I’m coming,” I say wearily and open it a crack.
Tigran’s body fills the frame. “I have food,” he says.
“I told you—”
“We’ll eat here. You on your side of the door and me on my side. Vito made grilled cheese.”
I stare at the little slice of Tigran’s face. He seems almost angry for a moment before our eyes lock and he softens. Did he seriously go downstairs, get me some comfort food, and bring it up to make sure I eat? All while somehow respecting my insanity?
It’s a good compromise. And it’s honestly really touching.
“Okay,” I say and push the door open.
“Okay,” he says and places a tray down on the threshold between our two spaces. He sits with his back against the wall, and I sit with my back against the opposite. “I can get you something else if you want.”
“No, this is actually perfect.” My stomach rumbles as I take a plate. The grilled cheese looks perfectly brown and melty. There’s even a little red wine, which I decide to pass on—just in case I’m already pregnant.
We eat in silence for a little while. It’s strangely comfortable, and I was actually starving from putting my living room together. If I’m going to get pregnant soon, I need to make sure I keep my strength up. That’s something pregnant women do, right?
“It’s funny how much I don’t know about babies and pregnancy,” I say out of nowhere, not sure why I’m voicing it out loud.
Maybe I’m more comfortable with him than I realized.
“You’ll learn,” he says. “My brother, Arsen, and his wife had a little baby boy named Roman. He’s a whole lot of trouble, but I love the little demon. They had no idea what they were doing at first either. But it works out somehow.”
“Are you close with them?”
“Arsen and I grew up together. We’re about as close as brothers can be.”
“I’m jealous. I’m close with my brother too.” I look down at my plate, thinking about Evan.
A wave of homesickness washes over me.
“We can bring him here for a visit if you’d like.”
I look back up at him. “You’d do that?”
“For you, I would.” He stares at me, his face showing nothing. Cold and beautiful. Almost uncaring. And yet his offer is so kind, and I hadn’t even asked for it.
“Thank you,” I say quietly, quickly looking away again.
“I want you to be happy here. Even if you’re leaving at some point, this is your home until then.”
Right. The deal. Get knocked up, pump out a baby, peace the heck out. He makes it seem so simple.
“You’re sure it’s okay if, you know, tonight we don’t—”
“Last night was your first time. You need to recover. You can have a couple nights off.”
I grin slightly. “Thanks, boss. You’re so generous.”
“But don’t let it get to your head. I’ll expect you to work extra hard when you’re ready.” He’s grinning too.
“Here’s me thinking you were supposed to be the hard one,” I blurt out, then I quickly cover my mouth with my hands, holding back a bubbling laugh. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
Tigran gives me a genuine laugh. I like that on him. He grins and leans forward, casually patting my foot like it’s a totally normal thing for us to do. Like he always touches me. “Look at you and your filthy mouth. You’re making dirty jokes now. I’m very proud.”
“It’s your fault. All that stuff you said—”
“You’ve been thinking about it, haven’t you?” His grin turns pointed as his laughter fades.
“Absolutely not.” I turn my chin. “A lady would never.”
“Pisik, the filthy little woman I fucked into submission last night was far from a lady.”
I snort and cover my mouth again. He smirks back, eyes bright and shining with amusement.
Is Tigran actually kind of funny? I mean, that was really hot, but I’m pretty sure he’s just teasing.
I didn’t even know he was capable of that, and I like it.
“All right, boss, I’m changing the subject before you make me choke on this divine grilled cheese. Tell me about your life here. Who are your friends? What were you like growing up?”
I figure we might as well get to know each other since we’re stuck together for a while. It might even humanize him a little bit. Turn him into more than just a sexy, scary monster in a hot suit.
I’m feeling loose and chatty. He has that effect on me for whatever reason.
I can’t remember the last time I wanted to connect with someone in person like this.
And of course, since I’m totally broken in the brain region, I want to connect with a man who does murder for a living.