Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Something wrong?” Franco’s voice drags me from my thoughts. He’s standing in the doorway, watching me. The silvery light casts his face in a glow that makes him look ethereal.
“No, I came down to find some dinner, but ended up chatting to Gio for a little while. He just left.” He nods, stepping farther into the shadows.
“Come.” Offering a hand, he waits until I slip mine into his. “I must apologize for earlier,” he states matter-of-factly, as if it was a misunderstanding that he stormed out of the room, leaving me reeling. As we make our way down a long hallway, I realize we must be going to his personal suite. My heart rate spikes as we stop at what I’m guessing is the entrance to his bedroom. He’s been silent all the way, and it’s only when he opens the door and allows me to step inside that I notice what he’s done. A small table at the window with two candles shimmering against the glass, a place setting on either side, and a bottle of red wine with two glasses await.
The room itself is dark, a contrast to the one I’m meant to be staying in. The walls are a dark brown, with wooden paneling and one filled with books, old books, that remind me of my father’s library. The only word I can think to best describe the bed is humungous. It’s a four-poster, and I’m certain he enjoys making full use of them by tying his submissives to them.
“What’s this?”
“My apology.” He stalks by me, pulling out a chair. “This is my room.” He gestures for me to sit. Once I’m settled, he slips into the seat opposite and lifts the bottle, pouring the red liquid into the crystal goblets. The rich scent of Merlot hits my nostrils and I inhale deeply, enjoying the smell of the wine.
“You know”—I lift the glass to my lips, taking a long sip before continuing—“I’d much prefer you either an asshole or not. Your current mood swings are difficult to get a handle on. As if I’m watching a tennis match. Jekyll and Hyde.”
He regards me silently for a moment and I take another long gulp of the alcohol, which seeps into my bloodstream. My body is buzzing from an empty stomach and almost a full glass of wine.
“Perhaps, act the asshole, so when I walk away, it will be less traumatic.” It seems my mouth has a mind of its own because I can’t stop it from spewing shit and the dark glare Franco pins me with has my body both trembling and quivering.
“So you want me to act like an asshole toward you?” His head tips to the side. He regards me with a look filled with curiosity. The energy in the room is palpable. Thick and unyielding, and it leaves me speechless. “Rai, I told you that’s who I am. And if you listen to my brother, you’ll know it’s not you I show that side to, it’s everyone.”
“Why do you push people away? He told me you’ve been hurt before. Is it because you’re afraid to love someone?” I should shut up. I shouldn’t taunt him or anger him, but I can’t help myself. My stubborn pride always gets the better of me and I watch as his face turns from gentle inquisitiveness to something akin to rage. But he doesn’t direct it at me. Ice fills the space between us as he gently sets his glass down. He pushes up from the chair and rounds the table toward me.
“Stand.” Immediately, I find myself obeying his order. “Turn around.” I face the window, with his heat on my back. The tense energy that simmers behind me causes me to shudder and he hasn’t even touched me yet.
In one swift move, he rips my yoga pants down my legs and allows me to step out of them. With his one foot, he kicks mine apart. Spreading me for him. A firm hand pushes me forward and I have to hold on to the window to keep from stumbling. I’m bent at the waist, wearing nothing but a tank top.
He doesn’t comment on the fact that I have no panties on. Instead, I hear the shuffle of his clothes, but I don’t dare turn to look at what he’s doing. Silence falls around us and I watch the cars on the highway in the distance. Movement behind me sends my senses into overdrive as he reaches in front of me and ties a material over my eyes. In an instant, my world is black.
For a long while, I stand there, feeling the heat of his gaze as it travels over me. The soft cotton of my top falls away when he slices it from my body with the steak knife. I’m only guessing that’s what he used because I can’t hear anything else being shifted.