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)
“Maybe give me a little credit. I already know all your sizes and sent them to the stylists, along with that style board you pinned.”
I shake my head. Of course he did.
He’s sliding into my fantasies the way he slid into my DMs, like a book boyfriend come to life, and I… am not really sure how I feel about this.
We’ve talked every single night since that run-in with Shawn and my self-defense lessons. I’ve had photo shoots, and he’s been busy with “work.”
I haven’t asked him what that work entails, and he hasn’t offered details. Maybe it’s better that way.
I swallow hard. “Who will be there? Will this be like… you know… swimming in shark-infested waters, or…”
“It will be exactly that.” He says something under his breath in Russian that sounds very much like a curse. “Which is why we need to make sure we’re on the same page about you doing what the fuck you’re told.”
Right, right, we’ve been, uh… working on that.
I shiver.
The more I talk with him, the more we get to know each other, and the more I really do believe he’s legit.
“Your followers are getting impatient, you know.” I twirl my hair around my finger. They’re so eager for an update from him they’ve been messaging me nonstop. “Are you going to post anything else?”
“I do have that video I could post…”
My cheeks heat as I remember being strewn over his lap, that massive palm of his across my ass. “Don’t you dare!”
I’m unprepared for how his low, dark chuckle does delicious things to me.
“No one would know it was you.”
“I would!”
“Listen, let them talk. You’re the only one whose attention I wanted.”
I swallow hard. “And now you have it?”
I hear him sigh on the other end of the line. “I do, but not in the way I want.”
“I told you,” I say in a whisper. “I’m not ready to go to your place yet.”
Maybe I’m scared of what will happen if I do. But this weekend, we’re heading to New York, and we’ll share a room…
“I respect that.” Three little words that somehow ease my worry. I wish more men got it.
“I’ve got a job to do,” he says cryptically. “Check in before you go to bed?”
“Yes, sir,” I say teasingly, just to hear the approving growl on the other end of the phone.
I can tell how hard he’s working at holding himself back from absolutely smothering me. It’s hard for me to know what part of the book boyfriend fantasy would actually be nice in real life.
So far, I’ve got a checklist.
Pinned up against the wall and kissed?
Five stars. Way better than anything my mind’s conjured up.
Trapped against the wall, so close his breath warms your neck. His voice drops to that low, commanding tone, his hands hovering just shy of your hips, letting you decide if he can touch?
Get me a fire extinguisher.
The inescapable stare, his eyes on you everywhere. Realizing he’s memorizing every detail about your day, down to where you get your coffee?
Uhm…
Letting himself into your home to leave a “thoughtful gift?”
Red flag!
My phone buzzes with a message. For a second, I fear that it’s Shawn. I want to block him, but I’m afraid if I do, I might miss something crucial, and I need to be vigilant. Thankfully, it’s just my book bestie.
Bookbabe
Hey, girl. Where’ve you been? Have you been in touch with Bratvaboy?
Um yes
Bookbabe
Shut UP
Hahaha
Yes, we call him Bratva boy behind his back, and no, I haven’t told anyone he’s actually real, and I’ve seen him without the mask on. And no, I have absolutely not let him find out.
I strip down to my workout bra and panties and reach for a pair of PJs. I toss them onto my dresser as my fingers fly over the keys of my phone.
Bookbabe
WHAT’S HE LIKE?
What’s he like? God. How do I answer that? Hot and magnetic, dominant and bossy as fuck. Funny, somehow sweet… Intense.
Literally? Like a book boyfriend come to life.
In all the ways, sister. All the ways.
I feel kind of shy talking about him.
Bookbabe
OMGGGG but is he like legit Bratva? He can’t be, right?
My cheeks flush. I stare at the cozy jammies on my bed and think about it.
I’m not sure
It’s a lie.
Deep down inside, I know he is. I obviously can’t tell her, but I know now there’s no other possibility.
I toss my phone down when a prickle of awareness skates down my spine.
For some reason, I feel like… I’m not alone anymore.
“Hello?”
I head into the hallway and stare, my heart racing. Rodion said he had a job to do…
I hear the door click open just before the lights shut off.
My pulse quickens. Oh god.
Please be Rodion, please be Rodion…
“Hello?” My voice is hoarse and barely audible. I quickly go over what he’s taught me about self-defense, but why can’t I remember it now? “Rodion?”