Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Silence consumed them, and so much time had passed that Daria’s heart had started to sink. “You haven’t said if you agreed to all my terms.”
More silence.
Nik was going to refuse her, she thought fatalistically. Nik had changed his mind. Nik would leave and she would be alone again—-
“I have one last condition.”
Her eyes jerked back to Nik, whose gorgeous face remained indecipherable. “W-what is it?” Whatever it was, she would probably agree, just so she could at least look forward to having two nights with him each week.
One last chance, she reminded herself doggedly. She would do everything possible for that one last chance.
“Not counting the nights that I have committed in your company, I’d also like the right to fuck you whenever and wherever I want.”
Daria’s mouth became dry.
Nik leaned forward on the table, bringing their faces close to each other. “And I do mean anytime and anywhere, Daria. If I tell you to drop by my office without underwear, you do it. If I want you to blow me in my car, you do it. If I want to own your ass while I’m in the pool, you give it to me.” His tone became silky. “Do I make myself clear?”
Daria’s lips were tightly compressed. “Perfectly.” She paused, but unable to help herself, she demanded helplessly, “Why do you insist on making everything so—-”
“Because that’s exactly how it is between us. Your place in my life is no different from any of my employees. I’m paying you for services rendered, and that kind of position means you do not and will not have any power over me.”
He closed the distance between them, and Daria’s entire body shook as his mouth brushed hers. Even after everything he said, the fact that she was still torn between pushing him away and kissing him back made it all so clear now—-
She had thought she loved Nik as much as she hated him, but it wasn’t that at all.
She loved Nik as much as she hated herself.
“Remember.” Nik was speaking against her mouth. “You’re just a cunt that belongs to me.” His teeth sank into her lower lip, and Daria’s eyes involuntarily closed at the shock of sensation that jolted through her body at the contact. Oh God, how could she still want him even with what he was telling her?
He pulled away before she could decide what to say or do, and she could only watch in numb silence as Nik slid gracefully to his feet.
Gorgeous, powerful, sexy...so many words to describe how exquisite he was, but all she could think of was how none of the frogs had been able to make her feel cheap the way he made her feel now.
“Daria.”
She raised her eyes to his.
“Do you agree to my conditions?”
Chapter Five
Miranda was on her way to Nik’s office the next day when she saw its glass doors swing open and Nik Alexandropoulos coming out. “Leaving for a meeting?”
Nik stilled at the sound of his fiancée’s voice. Damn. Just the last person he wanted to see right now, he thought. But when he faced Miranda, his expression had been schooled to hide his thoughts, and his movement was unhurried as he bent down to kiss her on the cheek.
“I was thinking we could have lunch together while we discuss a few things about the wedding,” Miranda murmured.
Pulling away, he said, “Tomorrow would be a better time.” He paused then said reluctantly, “I have a meeting with Daria in the conference room.” As his mistress, Miranda had no right to demand answers, but she wasn’t just his mistress now, was she? He had also agreed to marry her, and even though it was a purely business arrangement, his personal honor dictated that he at least let her know what he planned to do.
“Oh.” Miranda did her best to keep smiling. “I see.” And she should see, since she was the one who had suggested this. So why did she suddenly want to tell Nik she had changed her mind and she wanted both of them to have nothing to do with Daria Everest?
Nik studied his mistress’ face when she took too long to reply. She was a beautiful woman, and the way her little black dress contrasted with her fair skin only made her more stunning. Angelic even. If there was one imperfect thing about her, then it would probably that she was perfect, which made her almost seem...inhuman.
When Miranda seemed neither inclined to speak nor let him pass, Nik said flatly, “You can still change your mind.”
She knew Nik wasn’t offering out of pity. It was just the way he was, with his old-fashioned sense of honor. But even so, she just couldn’t shake the feeling that Nik did pity her in some way, and the thought made Miranda lift her chin. “Of course not, darling.” She tiptoed to place a kiss on his cheek. “I won’t begrudge you this. She’s yours to fuck until you have your revenge.”