Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Her eyes widened, and she jerked her head toward me. “B-but you’re injured.”
“Not that kind of time.” I shuddered and then stumbled against her accidentally. “Sorry, I’m just exhausted and in way too much pain. Doubt I could even pleasure myself, let alone you.”
“That was a really poor choice of words.”
“Was completely aware of that the minute they left my mouth; must be the deliriousness of getting hit by a bat.”
She scrunched up her nose. “Or having your wife carve into your chest.”
“Nah, that was my favorite part. I liked being marked.”
Her cheeks turned a bright pink. “I’m sure you did.”
“Let’s go.” I wrapped an arm around her both to touch her and to lean on her if I was being completely honest.
We met the butler in the hallway. He gave a small bow. “I left the whiskey with two glasses in your room, along with a few snacks. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Honestly…” I bit down on my lip and really thought about it. I had my guns. Nobody knew we were here but the guys. “Why don’t you just take the night off? Leave a few men out front for security, but other than that, you’re fine. We’re tired anyway.”
“Oh?” His eyebrows shot up. “All right then, I’ll just leave you to it. Have a lovely evening.”
Once he was gone and we were walking into our guest suite and shutting the door, Katya spoke. “Where the hell do they train people like that?”
I grunted and left her for the soft mattress. “Butler school.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup. It’s a thing.”
“Really?”
“Would I lie?” I flip onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. “You know, I can’t really touch you right now without hurting myself.”
“You said as much.”
“But…” I leaned up on my elbows. “I am curious if you could do me one favor.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What favor?”
“Can I look? I did just suffer at the hands of the bosses to marry you, and you did throw me under the bus multiple times.”
She licked her lips and put her hands on her hips. “My choice?”
“Absolutely.”
“Do you need me to pour your whiskey too?”
“Please?” I made a face.
She laughed. “I kind of like you at my mercy. Too bad I can’t take advantage of it without causing a rib to pierce your lungs.”
“That would be a great wedding night story—wife gets too aggressive, husband stops breathing.” I nod. “Tex would never let us live it down.”
“Which makes it almost worth it,” she teased, walking over to the small table that held the whiskey decanter.
I adjusted myself to a sitting position with the pillows behind me, so I could actually drink it.
She brought over two glasses, one for me, one for her. She handed me the crystal glass and swallowed her own sip slowly. “Do you regret it?”
“What?” I frowned. She looked so insecure, so worried, not like the girl I rescued.
“Saving me.” She lowered her gaze. “Do you regret it now?”
“No,” I said quickly. “I would never regret saving you. Ever.”
Her head snapped up. “Do you mean it?”
“I’m a lot of things. I’m even a liar, I’ll admit, but I won’t lie to you about this, Katya. I could never regret saving you. Ever. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” A small smile curved her lips upward. “All right, I’m going to go pick out something for you to… look at.”
I got comfortable with the pillows. “I’m ready for you.”
“No.” She looked over her shoulder before stepping into the bathroom. “You’re not.”
“Tease,” I called.
How did this weird day even exist?
And why was I so damn happy?
I needed to rein it in. This was just like another contract. I’d married her to protect her; my job was to keep her safe, to train her to become a badass, not to think this was in any way a real marriage.
How easily I’d gotten sucked into her vortex, though, how absolutely terrifying.
Seconds went by, and the door to the bathroom slid open. She walked into the light and then stood right in front of me.
She was wearing a skin-tight piece of white lingerie that was see-through except for the patterns of lace flowers covering up different parts. She did a slow turn, the entire back was missing, and I could see ass cheek.
Shakily, I set my drink down on the nightstand. “Come here.”
“You said…”
“I want to touch you.”
“See, you are a liar.”
“All men lie,” I said, gently pulling her toward me, my hands on her hips, my mouth reaching for hers.
She leaned down, meeting me for a kiss. “You shouldn’t start what you can’t finish.”
“Oh, I’ll fucking finish, all right.” I jerked her head down and thrust my tongue into her mouth. She’d woken something up in me. I had no clue what it was, maybe just need.
A life raft.
Hope.
Care.
Who the hell knew?
A knock sounded at the door, then it opened suddenly. We broke apart. It was the butler from earlier.