Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I love you, Abigail,” I whisper. “Christ, I love you so much. You’ve crawled beneath my skin and dug your way into my heart. There’s no getting you out.” I press another kiss to her hair before I stare at her sleeping face.
The last of the bruises are fading, and soon there’ll be no sign of them.
I’ve avoided relationships because I didn’t want anyone messing with my perfectly constructed life, and now I want Abigail to mess up every part of it.
I want her clothes scattered in my bedroom. Her hair blocking my drain. Her toothpaste in my sink. I want to be able to look around my house and see signs of her everywhere.
With my mouth pressed against her hair, I inhale her scent deep into my lungs.
But I know she’s not ready, and I’ll be patient. I’ll wait forever for her if that’s what it takes.
‘First, they crawl beneath your skin, and before you know it, your entire fucking world revolves around them.’
Dad’s words echo through my mind, and the corner of my mouth curves up.
He was right.
My entire world revolves around Abigail.
Careful not to wake her, I stand up and carry her to my bed. I place her on the mattress before taking her sneakers off her feet.
Grabbing the shirt behind my neck, I pull the fabric over my head while I walk to the ensuite closet. I take off the cargo pants, and when I have a comfortable pair of sweatpants on, I head into the bathroom to brush my teeth.
Finally, I switch off all the lights and crawl into bed beside Abigail, gently drawing her into my arms.
It feels right.
This is where she belongs – with me.
As if Abigail agrees with my thoughts, she snuggles against my side and throws her leg across mine. Her arm wraps around my waist, then a contented sigh escapes her again.
I brush my fingers through her silky hair, and closing my eyes, I let out a satisfied sigh of my own.
Yes, this is where you belong. In my arms.
Chapter 26
Abbie
It takes me a couple of minutes to wake up. I can’t remember when last I slept so soundly.
I hear Nikolai’s heart steadily beating beneath my ear. I feel his skin against my palm and cheek.
I’m sprawled over his body, feeling rested and calm.
Just how powerful is this man that he can even keep my nightmares at bay?
“Morning,” he whispers. “Did you sleep well?”
I nod, my cheek brushing against his chest. “Like the dead.”
“That makes me happy.”
I remember Nikolai finding me last night after I was woken by a nightmare. He brought me here and allowed me to cry my heart out without asking any questions.
Does he know?
For the first time since the rape, I consider telling Nikolai, but instantly my stomach churns, and my muscles tense.
“Get out of your head, moya lyubov',” he says before his fingers find my chin, nudging my face up so I’ll look at him. “Stay with me in the present.”
I stare into his eyes until the demons retreat to the shadows, then murmur, “Thank you for last night.”
The corners of his mouth lift. “Don’t thank me, Abigail. I’m grateful you allowed me to comfort you.”
Jesus, is this really the same man I drove insane with all my flirting? Over the past month, he hasn’t lost his temper with me. He’s become a solid rock I can depend on.
“I used to annoy the living shit out of you. Why are you so nice to me?”
I hold my breath until Nikolai lets out a chuckle. “Yeah, one minute I wanted to strangle you, and the next you held my heart in the palm of your hand.” His eyes are intense as they stare into mine. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Surprise ripples through me.
Could it be?
Really?
His fingers brush over my cheek. “I love you, Abigail.”
But why? I’ve been an absolute disaster. We haven’t been intimate since the ambush.
Nikolai must see the questions in my eyes because he answers, “I love you because you drive me insane. You have no filter.”
My mouth curves into a smile. “It sounds like you should hate me.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll never be able to hate the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Only then do the words sink in.
Nikolai Vetrov loves me.
Or the past version of me.
I push away from him and brush my fingers through my hair. “I’ve changed.”
“I know.”
“I’m not the same person you fell in love with.”
I feel his hands on my shoulders, and his chest presses against my back. Nikolai kisses my shoulder.
“I love all of you, Abigail. The whole and the damaged.” He turns me to face him, the serious expression on his face telling me he’s being honest. “I want you any way I can get you.” His fingers brush over my cheek again. “And right now, it’s as a friend.”