Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
As much as I want my wife, I don’t think we’re going to be able to make this work. I don’t know what I keep doing wrong. I thought this was what she wanted.
She came here to me. I thought we both enjoyed the experience. She pleaded with me for more.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You thought with your cock, Michael. She wasn’t ready.
I will never forgive myself for this. All I can do in this moment is hold her in my arms and comfort her. She turns in my embrace and climbs into my lap, wrapping her body around me.
Leaning back against the cool tub, I hold her close and hum “Für Elise” in her ear. I don’t want to lose her, but this might be too much. I can’t have her crying every time we’re intimate.
Soon, my lids grow heavy, and I’m finding it hard to keep them open. I’m too tired to stand and carry her back into the bedroom, so I surrender to sleep with her pressed against my chest. We will talk in the morning.
CHAPTER 32
Gone
Michael
I wake and groan, my back is aching and my ass is cold. I open my eyes to find I’m still in the bathtub, but Sim is no longer with me. I sit up and rub my back.
“Merda,” I grumble.
As my mind clears, I realize I need to find Sim so we can have a conversation. I want to know why she keeps melting down after we are intimate. Is it something I’m doing or something else?
I need to know if it’s something I can fix because I want to fix it. It may not be safe for her to be here, but I would like to start making trips to America to spend more time with her. Uri will be in the States more with his new wife, Valentina.
They will split their time between New York and Chicago. I had already been thinking about spending time in Boston. This conversation will determine a lot.
“Shower first,” I say to myself.
I stand and head into the shower, turning on the hot spray to release my tense muscles. As my frustration with myself builds, I move through my shower faster. I need answers now.
Turning the water off and climbing out, I then wrap a towel around my waist and head for my closet. I glance at my bed and see the evidence of our lovemaking and Sim’s lost virginity. I chastise myself even more for my actions.
How do I keep hurting someone I love so much? Her sobs from last night are haunting me. She cried as if she lost someone. I don’t know how to feel about that.
I’m lost in thought as I dress in cream slacks and a cream dress shirt. I roll the sleeves up as I move to look in the mirror. I take in the outfit as I loop a brown belt around my waist.
The tat on my forearm catches my attention. I got it after seeing Sim perform about a year and a half ago. She was dressed in black with red ballerina slippers on her feet. It made for the most stunning visual as she danced across the stage.
I had wanted to let her know I was there that night. I wanted to hold her in my arms then. Instead, I had this tattoo inked on my skin.
I had the musical notes wrapped around the dancer because that night, I truly thought I could see the notes floating around her. She was wrapped in the beauty of the sound. A pure vision of magic.
Each time she leaped through the air, my heart jumped with her. I was mesmerized and in awe. The woman is magnificent.
I shake the thought off and turn to find her and answers. My thoughts go to how long I can keep her here. Leonardo has been up to his old tricks.
I would destroy him if anything happened to Sim. However, I’m not willing to risk it. She shouldn’t remain here long.
A few days. I want to keep her with me for a few days before she returns to America, where I’ll know she’s safe. I wonder if that will make her happy.
“There you are,” Nico croons as I enter the kitchen.
I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something doesn’t seem right. I look to Annabella and she has a sad look on her face. My heart tightens and I feel like I can’t breathe.
“She’s gone?” I choke out, not asking a question.
I already know. She has left. This heartache is so sharp and painful.
I’ve hurt her enough to send her running from me. This isn’t going to work between us. My love will never be enough to fix what’s broken.
CHAPTER 33
Lost Monsters
Michael
Five months later …
Uri has asked us to come to America. He wants to introduce us to his wife before the baby is born. I think he has made a mistake. His wife was right on our property, and he chose to keep us hidden.