Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
And it was like tasting heaven again.
When she jerked away, Marcus noticed her pale expression and knew he had frightened her. He immediately retreated, giving her just enough space as he said politely, “Thank you for coming, bambina.”
Her response was proper and everything to be expected, but it was the manner of which that had stunned him. Her Italian was exquisitely fluent, and Marcus asked abruptly, “Da quando?”
Since when she had started learning Italian, and more importantly, why?
He needed to know because in the back of his mind, he couldn’t help thinking that the reason behind it was a “who” rather than a “what.”
And her stammered answer practically confirmed it.
She had met another man. Another goddamn Italian, and that was why she couldn’t answer him straight.
So that was it, Marcus had thought tautly.
He knew the best thing to do was to let her go. He knew that. But somehow he couldn’t, and he found himself taking advantage of Anneke’s unfailing good manners by forcing her to join him for a walk.
In the back of his mind, Marcus knew he was being unreasonably jealous and possessive. He knew that, too, but he didn’t give a damn.
His plan was to grill her about this other man in his life – this faceless Italian whom he already despised – but instead Marcus found himself both enchanted and embittered. This Anneke by his side was so different from the innocent temptress he had known this summer. She was more assertive now, and so much more open with her passion—-
“Do I have you?” Marcus heard himself ask when they were alone in the cottage, and as soon as the words slipped past his lips, he knew it was both a test – and a point of no return.
Everything could change after this.
And all she had to say was...yes.
But instead she had said something else—-
Something that threw his world upside down—-
“I’m yours...any way you want.”
The words caught Marcus completely off guard, and for one moment he found himself drowning in pain and bitterness.
No woman could say such a thing like that and still be a virgin.
No woman could look at him in the eye with such unconcealed desire and still be untouched.
And no woman – no woman but Anneke – could gut him the way he was feeling now, knowing that another man had stolen Anneke’s first.
It wasn’t that he thought less of Anneke because she was no longer a virgin. He wanted her more than ever, and that would never change. Nor did he begrudge Anneke for finding another lover – that had always been her choice.
What did threaten to destroy Marcus was the thought of what could have been.
Of knowing that it could have been him—-
If not for the indelible stain in his soul.
But then Anneke touched his chest, his name on her lips—-
“Marcus.”
And sanity returned, together with the realization of what could be—-
For one moment, he found himself thinking along lines he had never dared to cross in the past. For one moment, he allowed himself to think of a future with Anneke—-
All these years, the only thing that had kept Marcus from ever seeking her out again was his determination to never taint her with his dirty hands.
She was beautiful inside and out, and a better man deserved to take her innocence.
Apparently that man had come and gone, and while Marcus would never care to know who that man was lest he was tempted to commit murder, it also meant that his hands were no longer tied.
Anneke was no longer innocent.
Anneke was no longer someone he’d have to worry about hurting...or dirtying.
Just for one moment, he allowed himself to think of the impossible—-
And it turned out to be enough.
Throwing caution to the wind, Marcus didn’t waste another second setting things to motion. He arranged to meet with Anneke again and didn’t let her draw another breath before placing a ring on her finger.
And when it was time to consummate their marriage and he was laying his bride on his bed, he told himself that it was okay. That because she was different now and less fragile, nothing else would go wrong.
Anneke knew the ways of the world, and as long as he was always careful and remained in control, there was no reason why they wouldn’t be able to have a happy future together.
She was different now, Marcus kept telling himself as he kissed her.
And for a very short time, he had really believed that.
Until that moment Anneke told him she was a virgin.
Until that moment he realized that he still had the power to dirty her, to destroy her—-
Don’t you know you’re exactly like me?
Marcus found the strength to tear himself away from his bride.
Even knowing that walking out on Anneke on their wedding night could break her—-
Anything was better than risk turning Anneke into another Raquel Ravelli.