Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Wow,” she whispers.
“Finally,” I respond.
“What?”
“I’ve managed to somehow impress you. I was afraid tonight was just a big exercise in disappointing you.”
“That’s silly. It has been a great date. Besides, you’re Niko Petrova. I doubt you’ve ever disappointed a woman in your life,” she jokes, but she avoids looking at me the entire time she’s talking.
I help her to settle down on the lounger and then I join her. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever actively tried to impress. I seem to be messing that up.”
“I’ve had a good night. Although, I don’t suppose you have a change of clothes hidden somewhere? This dress isn’t quite made for dining like this,” she giggles.
“Well, shit.”
Her giggles turn into a laugh. “I think that’s the first time,” she says strangely.
“The first time?”
“That you seemed like just a regular guy instead of scary Niko.”
Her response shocks me. “Scary Niko?”
“Oh, yeah. You’re very intimidating. When you’re at one of the dinner parties men take a wide path to avoid you. Women, on the other hand, seem to flock to you.”
“I think you’re exaggerating.”
“I’m really not,” she denies, shaking her head. “So, I take it there’s no clothes magically appearing?”
“I’m afraid not. I mean, you could strip down to your underwear. I promise not to complain.”
“Aren’t you worried I might tempt your iron control?”
“You might have a point,” I admit, making her roll her eyes.
She reaches over taking off one of the cloches, revealing shrimp mofongo. She lifts an eyebrow up at an angle and her lips stretch into a smile. “Okay, I know you didn’t find out from my father that I love this, so how did you find out?”
“A gentleman never reveals his sources.”
“Zoe,” she sighs.
“Callan managed to get it out of her.”
“I have a feeling that Callan can get a lot out of her,” Emilia says, and I frown.
“Do you mind that?”
“What? Zoe and Callan? No. She’s very happy. Although, she’s worried if she can trust him.”
“Callan is the single most trustworthy person I’ve ever known. In fact, he and your father are the only two people I’ve ever truly believed in.”
“I’m happy for her. He seems to really care for her.”
“What are you thinking that you’re not saying, Em?”
“Just that Callan doesn’t seem to be concerned with holding back with Zoe.”
“Zoe isn’t you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Your father is one of the most powerful men in Miami—and beyond for that matter.”
“Odd, I didn’t think you were the kind of man to be intimidated by that,” she challenges.
“You just don’t know when to quit, do you, Emilia?”
“It just feels like…”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re humoring me instead of actually dating your fiancée. If you would rather be with someone else, just admit it and save the both of us from being miserable.”
“I think you’re the one who doesn’t know who she’s dealing with.”
“What’s that mean?” she asks, barely bothering to look at me.
“That means, I would never allow anyone to question me as much as you are.” I don’t bother hiding my annoyance with her. I’m willing to give her some room. We’re new to each other, but I’m not the kind of man who will be questioned at every turn.
“I’m not the kind of girl who just accepts things at face value,” she murmurs.
“Have I said something that is bothering you enough that you feel you can’t believe me?”
“What if it’s not just one thing but several?” she asks. She’s wringing her hands together like she’s nervous. I take that in with what Victorio has told me about her. Emilia is complicated. She’s not afraid, though. I can definitely respect that. She’s got grit. The more I learn about her, the more I like.
“Talk to me so I can fix things. That’s the only way we can get past it. I want it sorted out because this is getting tiresome.”
“I’m not sure it’s something you can repair. We don’t truly know one another. We might be engaged, but we don’t truly have a relationship.”
“Do you let every man you know touch you the way I have, Emilia?”
The woman has the audacity to roll her eyes at me. If this wasn’t so important, I’d laugh.
“That’s not a relationship, Niko. That’s physical. A real relationship should mean more—should involve more.”
“What do you know of relationships? You’ve never been in one, sweetheart.”
She jerks in response to my reply. I wait for her to retreat, but instead, I see a fire ignite in her eyes. “Stop treating me like a child. I’m not. I may not know much about your world, but I know mine and any girl would question being in a relationship with a man who her father brokered a deal with to marry her off. Especially, when the man continued to date and sleep with another woman even after becoming engaged.”
“Emilia—”
“It doesn’t help that you seem resistant to do anything more with me than to kiss me and promise more just to get me to sign some stupid document.”