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)
Rage flashes over Nikolai’s face, and I watch as he struggles to calm himself again, so he doesn’t scare me. “No one hits on my woman right in front of me.”
“You almost killed him because he was hitting on me?” I gasp, finding it both hot and unsettling.
“Yes.” Nikolai wraps his arm around my shoulders and leads me to the other side of the room while he instructs the guards who have gathered to remove the cartel member from the dining hall.
He pulls a chair out and waits for me to sit before he takes a seat next to me. His hand grips mine possessively, and all I can do is stare at him.
His eyes scan over my face again. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He glances in the direction where the guards are dragging the cartel member to the door.
A server moves the table back into its original position.
Nikolai’s eyes swing back to me, and I quickly nod. “I’m fine. I’m more worried about you.”
Even though his lips curve up, he still looks murderous. Shaking his head, he says, “As long as you’re okay, I’m fine.”
I let out another bust of laughter, then ask, “So you’re the jealous and possessive kind?”
He tilts his head. “If keeping my woman safe means I’m jealous and possessive, then the answer is yes.”
I swear I swoon a little as warmth trickles into my heart.
“You don’t think you overreacted a bit?” I ask, making sure to keep my tone playful, so I don’t upset him.
Nikolai shakes his head. “The fucker is alive, isn’t he?”
Staring at Nikolai, I realize he’s still the same person I flirted with before the rape. He’s still the ruthless blood diamond king I was fascinated by.
Just because he’s patient and loving with me doesn’t make him less dangerous.
He’s just not a danger to me.
His fingers brush over my temple as he asks, “What are you thinking?”
“How lucky I am that I’m no longer your enemy.”
He chuckles, a hot smile spreading over his face. He pulls me closer and kisses my forehead before pushing a menu into my hands. “What do you want to eat, moya lyubov'?”
Shaking my head at the sudden change in conversation, I decide on French toast and bacon.
Even though Nikolai just beat the shit out of a guy for talking to me, I feel even safer with him than before.
While Nikolai places our orders with a server, I stare at him again.
Maybe I should open up to him? He’s done nothing but support me.
God, he might already know what happened to me. If that’s the case, I’m sitting here worrying over nothing.
Shit, should I speak to him about the rape or not?
Nikolai turns his attention back to me, then gives me a loving smile.
He said he loved me.
He’s been honest about his feelings. Maybe it’s time I do the same.
Chapter 27
Nikolai
After a long day, I’ve just taken a shower when I hear a knock at the door.
I grab a towel and wrap it around my waist before walking to the living room. “Who is it?”
“It’s Abbie.”
My lips curve up, and when I open the door, Abigail’s eyes go wide as saucers.
“Oh…ahh…oh.” She tilts her head as her gaze drifts up and down my body.
“I just got out of the shower. Come in.” I wait for her to enter the suite before I shut the door behind her, then say, “Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a minute.”
She nods, her eyes not leaving my body.
I’m fucking relieved to see she’s still attracted to me, and I can’t stop from grinning as I walk to the bedroom. I leave the door open as I drop the towel, and grabbing a pair of sweatpants, I pull them on.
When I return to the living room, Abigail’s standing in front of the windows, staring out over the gardens.
She turns around, and her eyes get stuck on my chest again, then she shakes her head. “Ah, I wanted to ask you a favor.”
“Anything,” I murmur as I move closer to her.
She takes a deep breath before asking, “Would you mind if I slept here?”
A smile spreads over my face. “Of course not.”
I take a chance and wrap my arm around her before gently tugging her closer.
She tilts her head back, uncertainty dancing in her eyes. “You’re not going to ask why?”
I shake my head. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
She looks at me as if I’m one of the seven wonders of the world.
Christ, I really want to kiss her.
Abigail keeps staring up at me, and when I slowly lower my head, she doesn’t try to pull away. Not wanting to move too fast, I press a kiss to her cheek before lifting my head and meeting her eyes.
When she places her hands on my sides, I take it as a good sign, but not wanting to cross a line, I ask, “Can I kiss you?”