Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“That's awfully nice of him.”
“He didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart, but believe me, I made it worth his while.” The money spent to rent this place out was a drop in the bucket. There's no price tag when it comes to spending a quiet evening out with Bianca, while also knowing she's safe and protected at the same time.
Bianca lifts a hand and places it against her chest. “I… I can't believe you went through all this trouble… for me.”
“Don't act so surprised. If anyone deserves this, it's you. A nice quiet evening spent together, with food and your smile, is worth any cost.” Leaning in, I press my lips to her tempting mouth; her full pouty lips are painted a glossy pink.
The smile she wears, and the twinkle of joy in her eyes while swiping her thumb over my lips to wipe away the smear, leave me wanting to bask in its warmth, like a cat sunning itself in a window. I could live inside the warmth that her joy provides.
“Let's go. I'm starving.” She waits inside the car, while I climb out, taking care to scan the area as I walk around the vehicle. There's a pair of guards behind us in a car of their own who nod to me as I pass—they'll be waiting outside the place while we eat. I hate that I've had to increase security, but it's necessary after everything that happened. The security teams assigned to Bianca and Tatum are essential right now, especially till we find Jack and Dominic.
Once I'm satisfied that no one will spring an attack, I open the door and extend my hand to help her out of the car. One look at her, and the air is stolen from my lungs. She doesn't even have to try, yet somehow she is the most beautiful woman in the world. A man like me can have any woman he wants, but there's no alternative to Bianca.
She is the rarest diamond in the mine, and only she holds my heart.
We walk hand in hand through the front door, which is locked behind us at my request. If only I didn't have to look over my shoulder, waiting for a monster to leap out from the darkness and take her away from me again. I have to swallow down my anxiety, fearing it'll bleed over into our evening.
“I don't know why, but I feel like I have to whisper,” Bianca admits with a soft chuckle as we're led to the only table set for dinner. The rest of the room is dark except for the candles on the surrounding tables, which give off a warm ambiance.
A bouquet of red roses that I ordered earlier sits at the center of our table in a crystal vase that sparkles in the candlelight. I wanted this evening to be perfect. It's been too long since the last time I took her out. I want to show her the benefits of being with a man like me, since all that's truly been seen are the downfalls.
“Callum!” Bianca gasps, “Red roses? Are these for me?” she squeals, leaning down to breathe in their flowery fragrance.
“They're your favorite, right?”
Her blue eyes sparkle in the light when they meet mine over the bouquet. “You remembered.”
“I remember everything about you.”
“You genuinely are amazing. I can't believe you thought of everything.”
It wasn't really much. Only the result of a few phone calls and some careful planning. Yet to her, it's everything, which only reminds me further how important the small things are. A woman like Bianca deserves the world, and I'll do anything in my power to make sure she feels and sees how important she is to me.
“Everything… it's amazing.” Before taking the seat I've pulled out for her, she leans over and gently kisses my lips. “Thank you for making me feel like a Queen. It's unnecessary because anywhere I am that allows me to spend time with you makes me happy, but it is appreciated.”
“That's how I want you to feel always, forever. You're my Queen, and you deserve to be treated as one at all times.” After getting her seated, I gesture to the young woman waiting by the kitchen doors, who approaches with a bottle of sparkling cider and a pair of champagne flutes. “Alcohol is off the table, obviously, but I couldn't let the night pass without a toast.”
Once our flutes are filled, I touch mine to hers. “Too many, many nights like this.”
“Yes, and to a great future full of even more amazing moments together.”
I grin, my own joy overflowing, “I hope you're in the mood for Italian.”
“That's a joke, right? I'm always in the mood for Italian. I've been craving spaghetti. Just plain spaghetti. I have no idea why.” Yes, and I heard her confessing that to Sheryl in the kitchen this morning, hence my choice of restaurant.