Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
She gasped and found herself gripping the tee stretched tightly across the heavy muscles of his chest.
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“First, baby, you don’t ever talk about yourself that way. If you feel insecure, we can work on that. You’re beautiful, inside and out—you’re beautiful. If anyone is getting a poor bargain here, it’s you, not me. The likelihood of you wanting to leave me is far higher than the other way around.”
She heard the sincerity in his voice and saw it in his eyes. He was either the world’s best actor or he believed what he was saying. To hear him calling her beautiful with such true admiration made her glow inside. There was no way to squash the blossoming joy—or hope. Still, she had to be careful. He wanted a commitment, and she wasn’t sure of him. It was probable she would never be certain of him. That was more on her than him.
“There are no guarantees in life, Zelie. None. No one knows what’s going to happen years from now, but I believe in commitment and loyalty. I’m not a man who would be unfaithful. Loyalty is everything to me. To betray you in that way goes against every code I have.”
He sighed and gently slid his palm from her cheek to her neck, then along her shoulder and down her arm, never losing contact with her skin. Her sex fluttered again. The bottom went out of her stomach as a thousand little sparks danced over her entire body. His long fingers settled around her wrist like a handcuff, but very gently.
She couldn’t help reacting to his gentleness. It was so at odds with his strength and dominant personality. The way he touched her with such reverence and care was the opposite of the dark lust and sensuality carved deep into his features and moving in his eyes. The combination was both exhilarating and intimidating.
Azelie didn’t try to hide the shiver of awareness or the way his touch could turn her into a puddle of desire or the way his voice affected her.
He tugged on her wrist, leading her across the room to the two chairs she had. She’d found them at a garage sale. The forest-green leather chairs went perfectly with her little coffee table. They were also in great condition and extremely comfortable. She’d been lucky to get them for a steal because it seemed like no one else wanted to take a chance on the color.
Andrii seated himself in that casual way he had, not relinquishing his hold on her, but exerting pressure on her wrist until she tumbled onto his lap. He scooped her legs up to drape them across one of the arms of the chair while his arm supported her back.
“I gave a lot of bad advice to a couple of my brothers on relationships. My heart might have been in the right place, but I didn’t know what the fuck I was talking about and shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t until I laid eyes on you that I began to realize what a dick I’d been.”
That was the last thing she’d expected him to admit. She liked that Andrii had no problem confessing his screwups to her. She couldn’t help but admire him for it. When he made mistakes, he owned them and seemed to readily apologize.
“Since I’m confessing my sins, Solnyshkuh, you may as was well know that I stalked you for a few weeks before I made my approach.”
That admission sent her pulse racing. If she relaxed, she would melt into his body. As it was, she was aware of his reaction to her. He didn’t try to hide the fact that he was aroused. His scent surrounded her so that every breath she took, she inhaled him. She took him inside, where he wound himself around her organs and branded his name into her bones.
“You did?” She squeaked her question.
“I did.” There didn’t seem to be an ounce of shame in his confession. “I spotted you one morning when I was crossing through the park to get to the coffee shop a friend had told me about. The sun shone on your hair, and I’d never seen that particular shade of auburn. I’d never seen hair so thick and wild. You have no idea what that did for me. To me. I’m not a man who has reactions to women the way I’ve had to you.”
She had to admit she liked that.
“You were wearing a pair of jeans, old and faded. The denim clung to your body like a glove, accenting your hips and ass. I will admit I’ve had quite a few fantasies about what I would do with you if you were mine. But just being physically attracted doesn’t mean we’d suit.”
She knew that probably better than he did. She didn’t point it out because he didn’t like her saying—or thinking—anything derogatory about herself.