Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Flights and flights of stairs later, we’re wheezing and out of breath when we make it to the rooftop.
She stops dead in her tracks, forcing me to turn back and face her. “So I—I’ve gathered you’re… into me.”
“I am. Obviously, yeah.”
Her laugh is sharp, almost bitter. “You don’t even know me.”
I lean against the wall. “I know more than you think.”
She crosses her arms, her coffee cup tucked into the crook of her elbow like a weapon. “If that’s supposed to make me feel better, it doesn’t.”
“Maybe it’s not supposed to.”
Her lips press into a thin line, and for a moment, I think she’s going to walk away. But then she sighs and looks up at me, her eyes full of something I can’t quite name.
I lean in, close enough to feel the faint hitch in her breath. “Tell me, Ember, when you post those book scenes, do you ever imagine someone like me reading them?”
I watch her pupils dilate and her throat move as she swallows. “I always imagined a man like you’d have a better use for your time.”
Ouch. My brother would agree. I blow out a breath. “Yeah.”
She stands up taller. “Listen…you saw how problematic Shawn is.”
I grunt in reply but don’t interrupt.
“This is maybe the craziest idea in the world, but…the hate comments have all but stopped since you’ve been interacting with me. And I just think that… well, maybe if he won’t accept a no from me, he might if he thinks you’re my boyfriend.”
Her cheeks flush.
I knew it. I won’t hesitate, not when she’s giving me exactly what I want. “First, you’re going to tell me exactly who the fuck Shawn is and why I need to fuck him up. Second, you will not fuck around with your safety. If I’m going to pretend to be your fake boyfriend or whatever the fuck, then you’re not gonna poke holes in the bucket by doing stupid shit.”
“I didn’t say you have to fuck him up—”
“As if I’d pretend to be your boyfriend and not take that step if I had to.”
Her eyes widen, before she finally nods.
I pause, letting my words hold weight. “And I’ll have a condition of my own.”
Actually more like twelve conditions, but I’ll ease her in.
Relief flickers across her face, but she quickly masks it, her walls slamming back into place. “There always is,” she says with a sigh. “What?”
There always is? What the fuck?
“We do this on my terms,” I begin, stepping closer until we’re toe-to-toe. “We’re doing this at my place, not yours. I wouldn’t fit in your shower.”
Her jaw drops slightly, a flush rising to her cheeks again. “I—what?”
“You heard me,” I say, my smirk returning. “Your apartment is a hazard. I’m not letting you live there while some asshole’s breathing down your neck.”
She takes a step back, shaking her head. “I don’t know about this.”
“Then it’s off.” My temper flares. There’s no way it’s actually off. She’s given me exactly what I want—a chance to protect her. But she isn’t making it easy.
Ember plants her hands on her hips. “You think I’m asking you to protect me, to keep me away from an actual predator, and I’m going to do this by putting myself in the close proximity of a stranger who claims he’s Bratva? How can you claim you want me to be safe and make good decisions, then make an offer like that?”
Fair point.
“Fine,” I say, letting out an exaggerated sigh. I’ll let her have her way. For now. “Stay in your place, but we’re dating. Officially. Publicly. But if we’re dating, I’m taking you on a date.”
“Fake dating,” she corrects, her voice firm. She glares at me, but there’s a flicker of something else behind her eyes. Curiosity? Intrigue? I don’t care what it is—it’s enough to keep her standing here, enough to keep me in her orbit.
“Listen, Ember. I’ll gladly keep you safe, but I want this clear. If we’re pretending to date, you’re getting the full Bratva experience.”
She nods. “Alright, but another condition of mine?”
I grin at her and nod. Relief floods through me.
“No mask.”
Chapter 12
EMBER
And that’s how I ended up agreeing to go on a trip with a badass, tattooed Bratva boy—erm, man.
I asked for epic? Turns out we’re heading to New York next weekend.
I can still hear Shawn’s question.
Are you her security?
Yes. Yes, he is, and I fucking love it.
Maybe I’m crazy. Maybe I’ve spent too much time dwelling on fantasy and fiction.
Or maybe every time I’m anywhere near him, every cell in my body comes to life.
“Wait.” I’m lying on my bed, my knees propped up, my latest book calling to me, but I’ve got Rodion on the phone, and I have questions for him. Easing into this fake relationship thing is working out better than I thought.
“So you want me to go to this… gala, whatever that is. I’ll need a fancy dress? And shoes and makeup…” My mind whirs with the details.