Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Her mouth dropped open before she quickly snapped it shut. “You’re literally insane.”
I shrugged, not refuting that.
“I could escape.”
I smiled slowly. “You could but you won’t.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “So confident.”
“In all things, yes. But especially this.” I inhaled deeply. “I know your perfect, little cunt is wet for me.”
“You’re a monster. A disgusting, vile motherfucker.”
“I’ve done enough horrible shit that there’s a place in hell for me, but fucking my mother wasn’t one of them.”
She seemed shocked by my words, and when I grinned, she let out an incredulous laugh.
“Crazy. That’s what you are.”
She rubbed her eyes and stared ahead. “I’ll escape. I’ll get out of here and run away from this fucking city and never look back.”
I admired her courage and strength. It turned me on.
“You could deny me, and I could keep you here forever, if I wanted. I could not offer any deal and lock you away like my personal little ray of sunshine.” I leaned in so our mouths were so close I felt her breath against my lips. “I’d come visit you every day, needing that dose of warmth and light only you can provide.” Her eyes widened in surprise of my words. They shocked me, too. They were too gentle, too sweet for the likes of me.
“But I don’t want to snuff out your brightness, Liliana.” With one more swipe to her pulse point, I let go of her throat and leaned back. “So, I’m giving you the deal. A choice.”
“And if I say no, you’ll keep me locked away?” She rubbed her throat, but her hand shook, her pupils dilated, and her breathing sped up.
I bet her cunt was wet for me.
I thought about her question. “I don’t know what I’d do with you.” It was the truth. I said I wouldn’t want to snuff out her light, and keeping her my prisoner would do just that. I didn’t want her to hate me…and I didn’t understand why.
But I knew thinking about her gone made something ugly rise in me.
“This is a good deal for you.”
She snorted and I smiled. Genuinely.
“Coercion isn’t a fucking choice.”
Touché, Amore.
“And you killed my brother and father. How does someone get over that and sleep with that person?”
“You say thank you for taking out those worthless fucking pieces of shit who hurt you. Take what I’m offering then leave Desolation at the end of our arrangement, if that’s what you choose.”
The fact of the matter was, I was telling her she could leave when all was said and done. But that thought of her gone irritated me to the point I wanted to fucking break something.
As she mulled everything over, I decided one more glass of whiskey wouldn’t hurt. I sipped on it slowly, letting the warmth consume my belly. After dinner, the waitstaff entered to clear our place settings and, a moment later, came back with dessert.
Chocolate cake with whipped cream and fresh strawberries sat in front of both of us.
Once we were alone again, she exhaled and leaned back. I could see the resignation and acceptance on her face.
“You were eager to give me your body when it would help those two fuckers. I’m disappointed you’re not doing the same for yourself.”
I was an asshole for pulling that card. But I was desperate for her.
Liliana looked at me and asked, “How much?”
I wanted to fucking grin that she gave in, but I kept my expression blank. “How much do you want?”
She scoffed again. “So generous with your money. It’s like you have a bottomless pit of it.”
“I do,” I said without hesitation.
“How do I know you’ll keep your end of the deal?”
I didn’t answer as I pulled my phone out and dialed my attorney. He picked up right away. “Open an account for Liliana Johnson. I want it accessible only to her.” I rattled off the amount to be deposited into the account immediately. “Put the same amount into the account in two weeks.” I disconnected the call and set the phone aside.
“That’s…That’s an insane amount of money.”
“More than you could spend in five lifetimes. But it’ll be yours after two weeks.” I went back to sipping on my whiskey.
“And w-what do you want from me? Like exactly?” She licked her lips and started shifting on the chair.
“Whatever the fuck I want to do with you, Liliana. You’ll be mine in any way I see fit.”
“I don’t want to be hurt,” she whispered.
I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. “Have I hurt you?” It only took her a second but then she shook her head slowly. “I could have ten times over by now. But I’ve cared for you, bought you what you needed, and haven’t made you do anything you didn’t want to.”
“Keeping me here contradicts that.”
Sassy, fucking beautiful girl. I didn’t respond and didn’t tell her I’d been sneaking into her room at night to touch and lick her and watch her gorgeous ass sleep.