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)
“How do you figure that?”
“She let you fuck her. It’s an emotional act for women.”
He clearly doesn’t know Abigail.
“Stop worrying and let things happen naturally. You can’t control every-fucking-thing in this world.”
“I’m sure as fuck going to try,” I growl.
“I pity the woman who has to deal with your OCD and control issues,” he taunts me.
“Yeah, like you’ve done for over thirty years.”
“Damn, you’re right. I pity myself.”
“Fuck off,” I chuckle.
“Feeling better?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“Good, now about Camilla DuBois. The woman is fucking infuriating.”
I break down in a fit of laughter, and only once I get it under control do I say, “You just lectured me about love and relationships. Did you miss the entire conversation?”
“I don’t care about the woman.”
“Yet,” I chuckle, enjoying this way too much. “Give it time. Soon she’ll be under your skin, and before you know what’s happening, you’re fucking her brains out, and your best friend tells you just to let things happen naturally.”
“You’re impossible to talk with today. I’ll call tomorrow when you’re in a better mood.”
I’m still laughing when he hangs up. Shaking my head, I drop the device on the coffee table, then I let out a groan as I bury my face in my hands. “Christ, I’m so fucking fucked.”
I just had a twenty-minute-long conversation with Maxim, and I’m no closer to an answer.
I grew up in a happy home with parents who adore each other. There’s no reason for my apprehensiveness to get involved with a woman.
Maybe I’m just one of those people who isn’t meant to be in a relationship. I care about Abigail, and I’d rather stop things now before she falls in love with me like Anja did.
Slowly I pull my hands away from my face as the realization sinks in.
Even though I did my best to make Anja believe that I loved her, it took a hell of a lot out of me. Yes, I did a good thing, but it made me feel like shit. I fucking deceived a dying woman.
I never want to be in a position like that again.
I don’t know if what I feel for Abigail has the potential to become love. Getting into a relationship with her and allowing her to fall in love with me would be too much of a risk.
The last thing I want to do is give the woman false hope before breaking her heart.
We fucked, and it was amazing. Let’s leave it at that.
Chapter 14
Abbie
Jesus, everything’s gone to shit at the speed of light.
Misha and his friends got into trouble for stopping the hit on my life, and Viktor, their boss, shot Alek because someone had to take the bullet that was meant for me.
I’m just thankful he didn’t kill Alek. I don’t want anyone dying on my behalf.
But damn, what a freaking shit show.
As if that’s not enough, since we’ve had sex, Nikolai hasn’t even bothered to look my way whenever we cross paths.
The asshole.
I always try to make the best of everything, but the thing with Nikolai is getting to me. How the hell could he fuck me like that, only to walk away as if it meant nothing?
And Aurora’s dealing with her own problems, so we haven’t been able to hang out much. She doesn’t even know I’ve slept with Nikolai.
Then again, I’m not sure whether I’m ready to spill that secret yet.
Walking toward the combat studio, I lift my chin and take a deep breath.
It’s just another training session. You’re a badass bitch who doesn’t need a man.
Entering the studio, I force myself not to glance in Nikolai’s direction. I make a beeline for the treadmill and program the settings before climbing on. I start a slow jog to warm up before increasing the speed to a steady run.
From the corner of my eye, I see the other attendees arrive. Aurora and Misha head my way so they can train, and she shoots me a smile.
“You’re so damn lucky,” I mutter as she passes me.
While I have to face Nikolai, she has Misha training her.
“I know,” she chuckles.
“Abigail,” Nikolai calls out, “care to join us?”
Slamming stop on the treadmill, I get off and walk toward the group.
“Duarte versus Caspian. Abigail versus Paula. Fight until someone submits,” Nikolai orders.
I walk to a mat and take a fighting stance. I’ve only fought Paula once, and she wiped the floor with me, but that won’t happen today.
I’m so freaking pissed off, and getting to take it out on someone will do me a world of good.
The moment Paula steps onto the mat, I lunge forward. I jump and, twisting my body, I slam the heel of my foot against her head. I manage to land on my feet, only staggering back once before I dart toward my opponent again.
She blocks my first blow, but I catch her off guard with a punch from my left hand. My knuckles protest at the impact, but I ignore the pain as I swipe her feet from under her.