Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
He focuses on steering the Hummer away from the airfield, then says, “I’ve never been in a romantic relationship with a woman.”
My eyes widen. “There’s no way on God’s green earth you’re a virgin.”
Laughter bursts from him, the sound deep and warm.
“Of course not.” He glances in my direction before paying attention to the quiet road. “But I’ve been celibate for over ten years.”
My jaw goes slack, and then a thought crosses my mind that has my body chilling. “Were you…” I can’t bring myself to finish the sentence.
Dominik’s eyebrows draw together, and it takes a moment before he realizes what I’m trying to ask. “No, I wasn’t. I’m celibate because people annoy the fuck out of me, and in order to have sex, I have to let someone into my personal space.”
“You’re letting me into your personal space,” I mutter.
He lets out a sigh before replying, “Because you don’t annoy me.”
“That doesn’t put me at ease at all. I’d much rather annoy you.”
Seriously, who marries someone because of a crappy reason like that?
Dominik chuckles as he steers the Hummer onto a dirt road that quickly becomes steep.
Grabbing hold of the sides of my seat, my eyes dart around, and I watch as the trees grow thicker and thicker as we head up the mountain.
Chapter 13
GRACE
The ride up the dirt road is nerve-racking, and when the Hummer’s wheels spin over a patch of loose sand, I squeak, my nails digging into the leather seat.
“You don’t like being adventurous, do you?” Dominik asks, his tone amused.
“Definitely not,” I admit, my eyes locked on the road. “When you jumped out of that window with me, I almost peed myself.”
He chuckles, then drives the Hummer around a bend before bringing the vehicle to a stop.
I glance at the trees around us, then mutter, “I don’t see a house.”
“Come. It’s close by,” he replies, shoving the door open and climbing out of the Hummer.
“Come, where?” I whisper as I open the passenger door.
After I get out of the vehicle, I glance around us again, then say, “Your place better not be some tent between the trees.”
Dominik grabs my luggage, leaving a light carry-on for me to bring.
“You don’t like camping?” he asks as he begins to walk.
I grab the smaller bag and set after him, thankful I’m wearing boots and not high heels.
“I hate camping.”
He nods while his longer legs move much faster than mine.
The uphill is killing my thigh muscles, and when I’m a minute away from wheezing from the exercise, we break through a lining of trees, and I gasp.
Holy shit.
I stop walking and stare at the black slated walls of the house that seem to be carved into the mountain.
“This is insane,” I whisper in total awe. Lights go on inside the house, shining warm and inviting through the floor-to-ceiling walls. I can see right into a living room where there are black couches and a coffee table.
“Welcome, Grace,” Dominik says, drawing my attention to him. “I hope you’ll find peace here.”
His unexpected words make tears sting my eyes, but I force them back, refusing to cry in front of him.
As I walk to the front door, I take in the beautiful Zen-inspired garden and a stream that trickles into a small pond where moss has covered black pebbles.
At a loss for words, I step inside Dominik’s house, and my eyes dart around, drinking in the serene décor.
When I see a Buddha statue, I ask, “Are you a Buddhist?”
Dominik shakes his head. “No. I’m agnostic.” He sets my luggage down by the foot of the stairs that are made of light brown wood, then asks, “What religion do you practice?”
“I don’t,” I mutter as I walk toward a large window. “I stopped believing in a higher power a long time ago.”
Nearing the window, trees come into view, and when I see a lake far beneath in a valley, I can only stare at the breathtaking scenery.
I didn’t expect Dominik’s house to be so beautiful. If I were a believer, I’d think I stepped into heaven.
Dominik comes to stand beside me, and it reminds me why I’m really here.
We’re married.
Folding my arms around myself, I move away from him. I can feel his eyes on me as I explore further.
The dining room holds a black table and six chairs. There’s no art on the walls, and each piece of furniture is a statement piece.
The man has good taste.
When I walk into the kitchen, Dominik says, “I’ll leave you to make yourself at home.”
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“To shower and work.” He waves a hand at nothing in general. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I’ll put your luggage in your bedroom, which is on the second floor. The second room on the right.”
I watch as he walks away, feeling like a fly that’s being lured into a spider's web.