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)
Yet…
A hand gripped my jaw, the hold gentle but commanding. A strength to my weakness. “Open your eyes, Maria.”
My eyes snapped opened, and I stared up at Lyov. His eyes were narrowed dangerously, and his gaze swept over my face, intently watching my expression. My teeth nibbled at my bottom lips, nervous, scared, worried.
I didn’t want to lose him.
Lyov seemed almost angry, but when he sweetly tucked my hair behind my ears, his eyes softened the slightest bit, but never losing that dangerous look on his face. His grip on my jaw didn’t loosen, and he brought my face closer to his. I had to stand on my tip-toes until our faces were only half an inch apart. Our noses touched, and if I leaned a tiny bit, our lips would touch too.
“I can almost see the wheels turning in your head. The way you lost that happy look on your face, I don’t like it. Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” he said. My heart fluttered and stomach clenched.
“If it makes you sad, then it does not concern you. Because, Angel, the only thing you should think about from now on is making me happy.” Lyov growled the last part, as if the thought of me thinking of anything else other than him displeased him greatly.
“If I make you happy, then what happens?” I whispered as I fought the urge to cry. I felt unstable—drowning in an ocean of feelings I didn’t comprehend.
“Then you will be happy too,” he simply replied. Lyov cocked his head to the side with a thoughtful look. He released my face, and his hands went to my hips again. We fell into silence…and I liked it.
I could feel his men watching us. We weren’t alone, but instead of pulling away, I melted into his embrace.
My voice was muffled in his chest when I spoke again, but I knew he heard it before his hand tightened around my hips. “Your happiness is my happiness, Lyov. I will try to be the best for you. I promise. Until my last breath.”
Lyov pulled away and sighed before giving me the smallest smile. It was a rare one, and I liked that too. “Good. Now let me show this place. This is your home now. You are free to go anywhere as long as you stay in the estate, on our grounds. If you want to go outside the gates, you are allowed, but you will need to let me know so I can assign someone for your protection.”
He waited for my response. I nodded and listened attentively. “Everything I do is for your safety, pretty Angel. Do not think I am chaining you down, because even though I want nothing but to tie you up and make sure you never leave my bed—I want your wings to spread open so you can fly.”
My heart soared, as if my invisible wings really were spread out and I was flying…higher and higher into the bright sky. I soared toward Lyov.
He gripped my hand in his, our fingers entwining together as we continued inside. Our steps faltered as a woman stopped in front of us.
She raised her eyebrow at Lyov and then looked at me, her eyes searching my face. She then smiled. It was honest and sweet.
“I thought you were playing me,” she muttered under her breath before pouting. “But it looks like you were telling the truth. You really brought someone home.”
Lyov groaned in annoyance, but when I peeked up at him, he didn’t look annoyed. Actually, he looked like he was fighting a smile.
The woman was wearing a black dress that came just above her knees. Her curves were outlined in the dress, and she towered a bit over me. Her black hair was tugged back in a ponytail, and her kind brown eyes were smiling down at me.
“Lena,” she said after a second of silence.
I shook my head. “No. My name is Maria.”
My eyes widened, and I moved closer to Lyov. No. What have I done?
My hand came up, and I clenched his arm, afraid he would pull away from me and be angry. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought back a sob that was threatening to break free from my throat.
“I’m sorry, Master,” I whispered.
You don’t speak unless I fucking command you, dirty slut. Keep that fucking mouth closed until it’s time I shove my dick down your throat.
Slaves were never allowed to speak. It was the rule. An important one. If broken, we were punished—and the punishment would hurt. We would bleed. We would be starved—until our masters were satisfied we’d learned our lessons.
My legs weakened, and I started sinking down to my knees. Always beg for forgiveness on your knees.
I heard a growl. Low, dangerous, and angry. Lyov. It dragged me out of the darkness clouding my head.