Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
The admission might scare her off, but I don’t seem to have control over myself. Even now, my hand lifts, and I trace the softness of her cheek.
“I’m okay.” Her lips part, and I see tears form in her eyes.
“What’s happened?” The tone of my voice changes in an instant, and I need to know who’s hurt her.
“It’s nothing, I’m okay.” She waves me off, but I don’t budge. Her shoulders sag, and to my delight, she falls against my chest. “I’m just worried. That’s all.”
I wrap my arms around her and wish that I could snap my fingers and fix everything for her. Part of me wants to storm Marco’s office and take him out so we can leave and be done with this place. But I know it wouldn’t be that easy. It never is.
“I know.” I rub my hands slowly up and down her back and then I bend down and kiss the top of her head. I feel her arms come around to hold me, and she relaxes further against my body. “I’m here, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I don’t think I’m going to convince my father to leave.” She looks up at me, and I nod.
“It’s almost impossible to walk away from this life.” I touch her cheek again because I can’t help myself.
We might have embraced in a hug that someone could take for friendly, even comforting. Two people in a stressful situation relying on one another. But when I look at her, I don’t feel anything friendly. I feel possessive.
“Do you have the pen I gave you?” She nods and reaches in the front of her overalls. “Good girl.” Her cheeks flush at the endearment, and I like her reaction. I’m going to remember that. “If you need to talk to me, click the top, and I’ll come here. Okay?”
“Okay.” She bites her bottom lip, and I feel like there’s something she’s not saying.
“What is it?” I ask, my fingers stilling on her cheek. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“That I’m scared but I’ve never felt more safe.” The edges of her lips turn up in a smile, and my heart beats faster.
“I feel that way too,” I say softly. “But I’m not afraid of the men around us. My fear is that I could lose something that I wasn’t sure I could have.” My thumb brushes over her bottom lip, and I bend down. “Something that I didn’t think was possible.”
When my lips press against hers, I can feel her body push closer to mine. Her mouth opens, and her tongue comes out to taste me, tentatively like she’s shy. I groan at how good it feels and then my hand on her waist moves inside her overalls. When my fingers find the edge of her panties, I grab her ass.
The moan she makes is so sweet and delicate that I have to stop myself. It takes all my strength to let go of her ass and take my hand out of her overalls. Giving her one last kiss, I step back and take a deep breath. It’s as much to get myself under control as it is to fill my lungs. I’m almost certain she sucked the soul out of me with that kiss.
“Wow,” she says and puts a hand to her forehead.
“Yeah,” I agree, and then we grin at one another.
Fuck, I want to kiss her again, but we can’t get caught out here. I need to go back to the house to meet with Marco, but I have to see her again.
“Meet me tonight,” she says, as if reading my thoughts.
“Where’s safe?” I look around, and although this spot is okay, it’s too risky out in the open.
“There’s a boathouse on the other side of the estate. It’s another hideout Pru and I use, and it will be safe.”
“I’ll try and get away after dinner,” I tell her, and she nods.
Before I can stop myself, I put my hands on either side of her face and pull her in for another kiss. It’s nearly impossible to let her go the second time, but I manage to do it.
After that I make my way back to the house and curse everything that’s keeping us apart.
Chapter Six
NOLIA
Why don’t I have any sexy underwear? I dig through my dresser drawers and come up with nothing. He’s going to think I’m so lame in teal-colored panties, but that’s the best I’ve got. They aren’t even silk or lace, just plain cotton. All I have to choose from is teal or white.
I huff and shut my dresser in frustration before I catch sight of myself in the mirror. I’m fresh out of the shower so my hair is still wet. All I'm wearing is a bra and underwear, but at least they match. For some reason, I want to be sexy. Never in my life have I wanted that, but when Luca kissed me, my whole world tilted. Now I’m thinking about things I never have before.