Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“I think it's wonderful,” Gareth said. “It's good to think outside the box, go outside the norm.”
I beamed, pride washing through me from his compliment as we continued to sip our drinks, while the instructor walked around to congratulate us on all of our hard work over the last two hours. The other couples mingled amongst each other, and I noticed that not many were volunteering to come to our table.
And I couldn't really blame them. Gareth did look fifty shades of intimidating, especially with his white dress shirt sleeves rolled to the elbow exposing the ink on his arms. Pair that with how much of a giant he was and his usual scowling demeanor, and he wasn't the most approachable of people. To outsiders at least. To me?
He was the easiest person to talk to, just as he was the easiest person to be quiet around. He was the kindest, sweetest, and most perceptive man I’d ever been around. And yes, I knew he had a dark past, one that he recently started sharing stories about, but nothing could change my mind about him.
I'd grown up around some of the vilest people imaginable, and I knew it would take time for him to realize that there was nothing he could do to change my opinion of him.
And it was during that train of thought that I realized there really was nothing he could do that would change my feelings toward him, and that only further solidified what I’d been grappling with the last couple of weeks.
“So, what do you think?” Gareth asked a half hour later as we climbed into the back of a large black SUV, one of Gareth’s drivers quietly driving us toward home.
I scooted closer to him in the back seat, smiling at him. “I loved it. I loved taking notes. I loved listening to the history of the cocktails and where they originated from, and I loved creating something on my own.”
“I'm so glad,” he said.
“I think...” I took a deep breath, excitement fluttering through me. “I think I want to try going to college. Whenever I can get a job to save up some money,” I hurried to add, not wanting him to think that I was asking him to provide for me. He’d already done enough.
He furrowed his brow and shook his head. “You don't need a job, Serenity. If that's what you want to do, just tell me where you'd like to attend, and we'll get you enrolled.”
“Just like that?” I asked snapping my fingers.
He leaned down, nuzzling me before kissing me softly. “Just like that. I know you're more than capable of securing your own employment and making your own money, but you're a Maxfield. You’re my wife. And I'm sure you've noticed by now the pleasure it gives me in serving you.”
Searing heat slid down my spine, the warmth trickling into all sorts of delicious places at the way he looked at me. My mind and heart were a swirl of emotions, and I couldn't hold it in any longer.
“Can I say something,” I said quietly. “And you promise not to say anything back?”
Gareth studied me for a moment, contemplating what I was asking him. I appreciated him taking the time instead of instantly answering me, knowing that the man would never make me a promise he intended to break.
“I promise,” he said finally.
“I’m in love with you,” I said, and his eyes flared wide. “I know it’s soon, and I know that I have a hell of a lot of traumas to heal, but I don't want to hide anything from you. I can't deny it a second longer. I love you, Gareth. Not only because you've saved my life in more ways than you'll ever realize, but because you brought me back to life when I felt like there was nothing worth living for. You make me laugh and gasp and ache and feel safe and yet adventurous and wild at the same time. And I don't need you to say it back. This has nothing to do with an obligation on your end, I just really wanted you to know how I feel.”
I could tell he was struggling not to respond, but I admired his willpower as I saw an array of emotions flitter over his face, and then he locked him down one by one.
“I won't break my promise to you,” he said. “But can I ask when I'm allowed to at least address what you just said?”
“I just don't want you to say it back. You can say anything else. I don't want to you to feel like I'm trapping you.”
“I would never feel that way,” he said. “And I know you’d never do that to me. I will say this though, I don't think I'll ever be worthy enough to deserve you. I was cut from the same cloth as the people that hurt you all your life, even as much as you'd like to deny it. But, like I said before, I'll spend every day trying to be worthy of you.”