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)
When Marcus didn’t speak, the younger man only smiled. “You pushed your wife away because you cared for her. I nearly destroyed Jaike because I thought she betrayed me – when she did not. And yet—-” Derek splayed his hands wide open in a gesture of fatalistic acceptance. “I’ve lived to be the luckiest bastard in the world. I’m still with Jaike, and for the strangest reason, she actually loves me back. And do you know why?”
Marcus still didn’t answer.
“Because I fought to get her back, one last time.”
ON THE DAY THAT SHOULD have been her first wedding anniversary, Anneke flew out of the country, wanting – needing – to be alone. As she settled down for the flight, Anneke immediately plugged her ears and began browsing for a movie to watch. She feared she’d go mad if she allowed her mind to dwell on the fact that a year had already passed – and she was still Mrs. Ravelli.
Why, oh, why wouldn’t he just agree to the divorce?
Closure, her smoking-hot friend Alyx had once suggested to her. But since that girl was a closet romantic, Anneke didn’t want to think much of it.
Because he’s goddamn petty, her other friend Fredericka had put forward. But then again, the half-Russian state attorney was known to be quite clueless and dense about men, so Anneke couldn’t take Fredericka’s words seriously either.
Of course, there was also Willem and his little theory, but she didn’t want to think of that. She couldn’t afford to think of that, period. She supposed she could always try talking to her other brothers or even Fleur, but doing so simply didn’t feel right. It was bad enough to have Willem concerned about her, and so that left Anneke with—-
ME, MYSELF, AND I TO solve my problem, Anneke thought with a sigh, like always. As she took her luggage from the baggage conveyor and stepped out of Contini’s airport, she promised herself she would use this time away to properly reflect on her next move.
And so she should, Anneke thought dumbly the next moment, because it seemed as if her depression had finally gotten the better of her. Her mind was now playing tricks, making it seem like Marcus Ravelli was standing across the airport road, staring back at her.
But he wasn’t...right?
Anneke rubbed her eyes several times, but when her vision of him didn’t waver, she had to accept she wasn’t seeing things.
Her fingers tightened its grip on the handle of her luggage.
Marcus.
Her Marcus.
It really was her Marcus, right in front of her.
Four
Marcus’ body became rigid in his effort to remain still. One last time. One last time. One last time. He focused on the thought, a badly needed reminder of just how important this meeting was and why he should control himself and not succumb to the very basic urge to snatch her into his arms—-
Dio.
He had missed her so goddamn much.
How beautiful she was, every inch the blonde, blue-eyed angel that had never stopped haunting his dreams. She was dressed in a striped sweater that bared her midriff when she raised her arms, a pair of white corduroy slacks, and loafers – a look that was both laidback and elegant at the same time, one that spoke volumes of how different she was from other European heiresses. Most others only had beauty to speak of, but Anneke was – had always been, and would always be – more, in every way.
When she finally started to move, Marcus shoved his hands into his pockets and fought to keep his cool. Anneke was approaching him like a wary little animal about to bolt off any second, and he definitely didn’t want that to happen.
Anneke’s mind swirled with more and more questions with every step she took. Why was he here? Did he know she would be here? What would happen now? She could feel her mind reeling as she came closer and closer to him, and her heart – oh God, her heart.
Her heart was beating so hard and fast, it was as if it was making up for lost time.
And how silly, how oh so stupid was that?
Anneke nearly tripped over her own feet as she came to a halt before Marcus. He really was here, she thought dizzily. She knew she shouldn’t stare, but she couldn’t help it. Had his raven black hair always gleamed this brightly under the sun? Had his eyes always been this dark? And had his body always been this hard...this macho?
Even the fact that she had to crane her neck so much to meet his gaze was a surprise to Anneke—-
So many little things, she couldn’t help thinking with a painful squeeze of her heart, that she thought she could – would – never forget but actually had.
When her blue eyes lifted to his once more, Marcus said quietly, “Ciao, bambina.”