Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
He shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
“How did you get in here?” I ask the question, but I also know Nick. If he wants to do anything, he can. He’ll always find a way to make it happen.
He hasn’t moved an inch. His eyes are the only thing that shifts position as he scans my body in the ridiculous red dress that is two sizes too small. He doesn’t have to say a word for me to know he doesn’t approve.
I run my hands over my hips. “I didn’t pick it out.”
“I’m sure the Sidorov asshole loved it.”
This isn’t a conversation I want to have with Nick. The last thing I want to do is discuss my future—nightmare—with the man who could offer me a dream life if only we were truly living in a Wonderland without my demons pulling me into the darkness, refusing to ever let me free. The sooner I accept the inevitable, the better. Pavel Sidorov is my future regardless of how I feel about that.
We are not in Wonderland.
The thought of Nick and me having a future is truly complete madness.
I can’t be Nick’s Queen of Hearts regardless of how badly I want that.
“You left me,” he states.
“I could argue that by saying you let me go.”
“Fuck that, and you know it.”
He’s right. This was my choice, and I do know it. I just don’t know how to own up to the fact.
“You want Daddy to love you. How’s that going? Is it everything you hoped for?”
“Fuck you,” I say with little venom behind the words. I’m not going to tell him what’s happened so far. I’m not going to tell him about dinner or anything since arriving in this mansion. He knows the answer and the fact that he’s asking me is… “Did you come here to hurt me?”
I don’t know if he means to, but his words slice my heart in two.
“Maybe…”
“You need to leave,” I repeat. “If Bryant catches you here—”
He closes the distance between us and stands so close that I feel the heat of his breath on my face. “Tell me to rescue you from your tower and I will.”
“I don’t need to be rescued.”
“Liar.”
“I don’t.” I take a step backwards, the back of my legs making contact with my bed.
He steps closer, now trapping me between him and the mattress. “All you have to do is ask, and I will tear down this castle.”
“I’m not asking. I’ve always wanted to be inside the castle,” I admit.
His eyes soak me in from head to toe. I see a flicker of a scowl wash over his face, but it quickly vanishes. He walks back to the window in an act that seems almost dismissive. “Take the dress off.”
I stiffen my spine, willing myself to walk toward the dresser, removing my earrings. “You can’t come in here and order me around. I’m not your captive anymore.”
I hope I’m doing a good job of hiding how his simple command actually sends a jolt of excitement through my body. He has the ability to trigger my sexual need simply by being so close to me, but I don’t want him to know the power he has over me and just how weak I am to him. I need to be strong for both of our sakes. Nick being here is dangerous enough. I can’t imagine someone walking by the room and hearing us engaged in—
“You know I don’t like asking twice.”
I look over my shoulder at him and offer a smile of peace, not wanting to go to war. I know I’ll lose against this man, so best to prevent the battle from occurring. “Then don’t.”
Nick finally stands up, his cane in his hand, and closes the distance between us. The act is predatory, hungry, and I know there is no way to avoid being devoured.
He’s doing exactly as I said and doesn’t ask. Instead, he tosses the cane onto the bed, freeing both of his hands. He spins me around, pushes me up against the dresser, lowers my zipper, the dress following close behind as it’s pulled down my body.
“Nick, you can’t be here. If my father finds out—”
“Shh,” he commands as he brings his teeth to my neck and bites.
I want him to stop, but I want him to continue.
I want him to leave, but I want him to stay.
I want him to… I want him to fuck me.
Once again, Nick has the power to cause a yo-yo of emotions in me. Feelings are loud but in a different language I can’t decipher. I don’t know what I want. I don’t know what to do, or how to feel when I’m breathing the same air as this man. Life would be so much easier had he decided to never see me again after Italy, and yet, I’ve never been so happy to see him in my room as I am tonight.