Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Love was a weakness.
But holding Maria in my arms, it didn’t feel like a weakness anymore.
I felt powerful. In control. I felt alive.
It felt like I had found a new purpose in life.
My Angel.
***
“Did you miss me? Is that why you’re calling?” the voice answered on the first ring.
“Good morning to you, too.”
“It’s actually still night here,” she replied drily.
“Whatever, Lena.”
“Well, what are you calling for? You do realize that you just disturbed my sleep?” she smarted off.
“You do realize that I am your boss, right?” I replied tiredly.
“Oops, sorry. I forgot. What can I do for you then, Mr. Ivanshov?” Lena continued. It was impossible to miss the sarcasm in her voice.
“I am bringing someone home.”
I waited as my words were received with silence.
And then the screeching started. I took my phone away from my ear, only to hear Isaak chuckling from his seat across the room.
“Oh. My. God! Is it a puppy? Please tell me it’s a puppy! You know I always wanted a puppy.”
Hit her, Isaak mouthed while smiling.
My own smirk appeared. Lena was about to have a heart attack. But it was going to be worth it.
“No. It’s a girl,” I drawled.
Silence. Complete utter silence.
“So I need you to prepare one of the bedrooms. Preferably the one across from mine if you can. Order some clothes. She’s going to need them. Small size. And other accessories, whatever the fuck females need,” I continued.
Silence again.
“We will see you later. Have a good night, Lena. Enjoy your sleep.”
I cut off the call before busting out laughing. Isaak joined me, and I wheezed, my stomach hurting.
“Did we actually get her speechless?” Isaak said through his laughter.
I nodded before taking a seat beside him. “I think so. She really needed to shut her fucking mouth. It looks like I finally found a way.”
“Priceless!”
We were still chuckling when the bathroom door opened. Maria walked out, now freshly showered. Her hair was in a bun, and she was wearing a dress that came down to her knees.
I had made Isaak order it the night before, knowing she was going to need some clothes to travel back home.
The dress was plain and simple, with only a small black belt around the waist. Tight around her chest but flowy from her waist. The color was a soft pink and perfect for Maria.
It really made her look breathtaking.
My beautiful little Angel.
“Are you ready, Maria?” I asked before standing up.
Without even asking her, she walked closer. My arms were still by my sides, fighting the urge to just pull her in my arms. But this was her choice. Her moment.
And she didn’t disappoint me.
With a gentle smile, her cheeks blushing beautifully, she almost glided toward me. Maria stood in front of me, her head tilted back, her eyes boring into mine.
“I am ready,” she said.
Her hand reached forward, and she grabbed mine. Instinctively, my fingers grasped hers.
“I am ready,” she repeated again, more confident.
My lips stretched in a smile, finding it so hard to hide my happiness. Good choice, Angel.
I pulled her forward, and she fell into my arms, giggling. “Let’s go home, then.”
She nodded without saying a word, laying her trust in the palms of my hands.
Our hands were clasped together as we walked out of the hotel, Isaak and my other men using their bodies as our shields.
The drive to the airport was silent. Maria’s eyes were wide as she stared outside. I saw a hint of fear in the depth of her eyes, but every time I squeezed her hand in support, she would relax.
I loved her reaction to me. I knew she felt it, our connection. She felt it just as deeply as I did.
She spent her time looking at the clouds during the plane ride. We talked very little, only because we found the silence between us more comforting.
We reveled in it and fell deeper into each other during the silence.
When the plane touched down, I gently shook her awake. She smiled sleepily and held on to my arm as we walked out.
It didn’t take us long to be back into the car, this time to my estate. Maria’s new home. Now her sanctuary.
When the car came to its final destination, I helped her out of the car. She was mesmerized by the sight, like I knew she would be.
She stared for a long moment before I brought her out of her reverie.
“This is your new home,” I said, bringing her attention back to me, where it should be.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, glancing back at the stone mansion.
“Do you like it?” I asked, my thumb rubbing over her cheek.
Maria nodded before smiling. “I like it very much.”
Her gaze found mine again, her blue eyes looking so bright in the morning sun. She pressed her cheek against my touch, like she wanted more.