Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“I don’t want those things, Bastien. All I want is you—”
“Then move in with me.”
He overpowered me in every conversation we had, the greatest salesman who ever lived. There was no pitch I could reject. I was scared to move in and get settled as his woman—and have him leave me for someone else…and then I would be back in an apartment just like this. Heartbroken and alone and broke. But I wouldn’t bounce back, not like I had after Adrien.
He continued to silently demand an answer.
But I believed Bastien was different from Adrien. I believed in his honesty and integrity. And even though it was still hard to believe that a man so goddamn perfect could ever want me, I knew what I meant to him. “Okay.”
The hardness in his stare immediately vanished, like he couldn’t believe I actually agreed to it. “Is that a yes?” The confusion faded when he knew he didn’t misunderstand my response, and then that handsome smile came through.
“Yes.”
He smiled so bright, the smile was visible in his eyes. “Attagirl.” He squeezed me against him, and he gripped my ass as he rolled me over onto my back, his hand digging into my hair as his kisses smothered my neck. He pressed his mouth against mine, and he kissed me hard as he positioned himself between my thighs and sank deep inside me.
My gasp was muffled by his kiss. I gripped his back and felt the muscles harden underneath the skin. He rocked into me slowly, just the way he’d taken me earlier, the rain pounding the roof in the storm and streaking down the windows hidden behind the curtains. I used to hate the rain before Bastien.
But now, I loved it.
I came home from work and started to pack my things.
I didn’t have a lot of stuff, but it seemed like I’d just unpacked everything and now I had to pack up again. My destination was a major upgrade and, if I was lucky, would be my forever home, but it was still hard to find the motivation to box everything up again.
I opened a bottle of wine, turned on some music, and got to work.
Bastien texted me. Are you done?
The smile that moved over my face was instantaneous. It’s gonna take me at least a couple days.
Why?
Because I have a job.
Okay, then you’re fired.
“This man…” Then it’s going to take even longer because now I have to find another job.
What do you need a job for?
Food, clothing, essentials…
That’s what I’m for, sweetheart.
Thank you, but I can get my own stuff, babe.
There was a pause before his three dots appeared again. I love it when you call me that.
The first time I said it the other night, it just flew out like the words had a pair of wings. I didn’t know where it came from. I’d never called Adrien that, nor any other man in my life. I’d never used a nickname.
Just hurry the fuck up.
What’s the rush?
Afraid you’ll change your mind.
Guilt struck me like the blunt end of a hammer. It hurt because it was his truth. I kept him at arm’s length because I was constantly afraid he would hurt me, but he was just as afraid of me hurting him. I’m not gonna change my mind, babe.
My apartment was full of boxes now. My clothes were packed away, which was the bulk of my possessions. I needed five boxes alone just for the shoes. Bastien said he would have his guys move everything for me, so it was nice I wouldn’t have to do that part by myself. It was my last night in the apartment, the last night I would sleep alone and try to stay warm under the sheets.
Moving in with Bastien was a big decision, not just in our relationship, but in my life. I knew he was a dangerous man living a dangerous life. I’d seen men try to kill him with my own eyes. Even if he was the ruler of the city, the predator at the top of the food chain, I was still signing up for a life that was different from the one I’d always known. It was a risk, but Bastien was a risk worth taking. When he said he would keep me safe, I believed him.
For better or worse.
I was tired from working every day and then packing at night, so I went to sleep early. I normally went to bed at eleven and woke up at eight, but I was so tired I didn’t eat much of my dinner and passed out shortly after nine.
I was dead asleep when I heard the sound of the front door.
I lay still for a moment, the sleep paralysis keeping me frozen in place. I fought against it, and then a smile spread across my face because I knew who it was. Tomorrow was when I was supposed to officially move in to his apartment—but he couldn’t even wait a day.