Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
My heart is still pounding against my ribs as if it’s trying to get to Aurora.
None of what’s happening around me registers, there’s only the woman in my arms.
The past weeks I’ve had to train her have been downright torture. I’ve had to fight my feelings for her constantly, and the fucking emotions just kept growing.
Every time she accomplishes something, my chest fills with pride.
Whenever she struggles, my protective side wants to jump in and help.
I’m forced to spend every day with her, and at night she’s in my dreams.
She’s driving me insane.
Reaching my suite, I lower her feet to the floor and let her lean against me while I dig the keycard from my pocket. The moment I have the door open, I move her into the room and kick the door shut behind me.
My arms wrap around Aurora as she cries uncontrollably.
“You’re going to be okay,” I say, hoping the words will calm her down.
Suddenly she pushes away from me, shaking her head as she covers her mouth with a trembling hand. She walks toward the window before changing direction and heading back to me.
Only when she moves past me do I realize she’s going for the door.
“No!” I grab hold of her and pull her toward my bedroom.
“L-let g-g-go.”
She struggles against my hold, but I drag her into the room without much effort. I shut the door and lock it, shoving the key in my pocket.
“Why?” she shouts as she yanks free from my hold.
I don’t have an answer, I only know I can’t let her leave.
Dodging the question, I say, “You need to calm down.”
Her eyes start to burn with anger as they lock with mine. “Calm down?” she gasps. “I’ve been going through hell since I got here, and on top of that, I have to deal with your shitty attitude. And then…” her face crumbles, and she closes her eyes before she forces the words out with a strained voice, “And then I get locked in a crate.” She shakes her head. “I’ve had enough. I can’t do this.”
“You can,” I bark, my tone unreasonably harsh.
She can’t give up.
She wraps her arms around her middle, and stepping closer to the door, she demands, “Unlock it.”
“No.”
“Misha!” she screams with so much desperation I almost lose my mind.
The wild look in her eyes makes worry pour into my heart, and not knowing how to calm her down, I do the only thing I can think of. I step forward and wrap my arms around her, squashing her to my chest.
“Let g-go,” she cries as she strains against my hold.
I practically engulf her body with mine, and knowing I’ll hurt her if I tighten my arms to keep her from breaking free, I say, “Please stop. Just for a minute. Catch your breath.”
Aurora’s fingers fist in my shirt, and her body convulses as a silent cry rips through her.
The sight brings me to my knees, and I slump down onto the polished tiles, pulling her into my lap so I can cradle her.
“Just breathe, moy malen'kiy olen'.”
Finally, she stops struggling, and I feel the fight drain from her body as she leans against me.
“Good,” I praise her. “Let me just hold you.”
Christ, will I be able to let her go?
Every time something happens to her, I lose my shit.
How long will I keep lying to myself? Yes, we’re enemies, but I can’t make my heart stop caring about her.
Caring?
Ha, you passed caring weeks ago.
My arms tighten around her, and I press my mouth to her hair, taking a deep breath of her floral scent.
Fuck.
Chapter 17
Aurora
I’ve had enough of this place.
I tried. I really did. But this is insane.
I can’t deal with all the fighting.
While Misha hates me, my feelings keep growing for him, and it’s just becoming too much to deal with.
And I definitely can’t stand being locked in a crate again.
I’m done.
When I push away from Misha and climb to my feet, he asks, “Do you feel better?”
My eyes snap to his as he rises to his full height. I’m confused as hell when I see concern on his face.
Shaking my head, I mutter, “I thought you didn’t care.”
He just stares at me, and it makes my already worn emotions spiral back into chaos.
I lose my shit and scream, “What am I doing here, Misha?” I throw my hands in the air. “You’ve treated me like shit since I got here. You’ve threatened me, and let's not forget, you practically strangled me.” I shake my head at him, my eyebrows drawing together. “Why are you doing this?”
Again he just stares at me, but the expression on his face tightens while his eyes fill with emotion.
Desperately I shake my head. “No.” I take a step back. “Don’t you dare look at me like that.”
God, no. I can’t handle him playing with my emotions right now. It will be a death blow.