Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Life is not black and white, Gianna. The gray fills the vast majority, and, it’s where I live my life. I may do things that are illegal, or some would find morally questionable, but I was raised to be an honorable man and there are lines I will not cross. I also make sure none of my people cross them either. I have to lead, to be seen as strong and unbreakable. Sometimes that requires more force than others. I will always, always, protect you and Sophia, as well as the rest of my family.” Her eyes were searching mine as she listened intently, and I could see she was looking for something in my words to justify my actions enough that she could accept me without guilt.
I shook my head. “I am who I am, mia dolce, and I know you love me. So, stop looking for an excuse to follow your heart and just do it.” I lowered my head so our noses were almost touching. “I won’t let you go, Gianna,” I growled. “Even now, you could be carrying my baby and as soon as I can, I’ll be putting a ring on your finger, so everyone out there knows you’re mine too.”
“You can’t simply decide I’m going to marry you and start walking around referring to me as your fiancée, Nic.” Her lips firmed into a straight line, a defiant expression on her face. But the effect had been ruined by the tiniest softening of her green eyes at the mention of having my baby.
I grinned. “Now, we both know that’s not true. Besides”—I raised an eyebrow—“what will your parents think if you’re pregnant and unmarried?”
Her jaw dropped a little, her mouth forming a round O of surprise. It was adorable, and I couldn’t help but kiss her cute little nose. When I pulled back, I could see the fucking guilt still lingering in her eyes and it pissed me off. However, I knew I had to tread carefully and I decided she needed to know what was truly in my heart.
“Carly was right, you know.”
Gianna’s brows furrowed and the fingers she’d had resting against my chest suddenly curled into my shirt in a possessive hold, and I had to fight a smile at the display of jealousy. I was getting another glimpse of my tigress, and it was sexy as fuck. I shifted as I began to harden again, and we both moaned. Fucking hell. I would never get enough of her.
“You are my queen. And just like the royalty on a chess board, this king needs his queen to protect him. I’ve given you my heart to guard, Gianna.”
Her beautiful green eyes filled with emotion, although there was still an air of wariness about her. I was tempted to fuck her until she admitted that she loved me, but I knew our family would be awake soon and I didn’t want anyone but me seeing Gianna this way.
I pulled out of her slowly, my erection dragging against her walls and almost convincing me to take the chance of being discovered. But I preferred not to scar my baby girl and put her in therapy because there were some things you just couldn’t unsee.
Gianna whimpered as I left the warmth of her pussy completely. It sent tingles down my spine and I shivered. Standing, I tucked myself back in before closing her robe and retying the sash. After helping her to her feet, I grasped her chin and forced her to meet my hardened gaze.
“Unless you want to find yourself spanked until you can’t sit for a day, don’t ever answer a door like this again. I don’t care who is on the other side. This”—I slid my hands down her back and cupped her round, little ass, squeezing her closer until our bodies were melded together—“is for my eyes only. Got it, mia dolce?”
Gianna’s eyes narrowed slightly, and I thought maybe she would argue with me, but after a moment, she nodded in capitulation. I rewarded her obedience with a scorching kiss that was suddenly interrupted by the sweet sound of my daughter’s voice calling for me.
“Daddy?” There was an odd tone to her voice. She was obviously terrified about something. Gianna and I sprinted to the door and out into the hallway. Sophia was standing at the top of the stairs, and I took them two at a time to get up to her.
When I got to the last step, I jerked to a stop and yelled for Gianna to call 911. I heard her spin around and race back down the steps as I gathered my little girl in my arms and followed her path. Sophia’s bleeding nose was soaking my shirt, her head resting against my chest as she softly cried. “My head hurts, Daddy,” she sniffled.