Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
He was talking to the cocoa, of course. The cocoa, made from cream and sugar, shaved chocolate and just the slightest hint of real vanilla and a pinch of salt. But still—
Focus.
I’m guessing it’s late at night, though time’s almost lost meaning here.
“And you?”
I take another sip of the cocoa. The hot, creamy liquid warms me through. “Mmm?”
His dark eyes smolder at me. “If we…had protection right now.”
I set my mug down and stare him straight in the eyes. “I’ve been thinking about it. I don’t know if I need protection, Timeo.”
“Starla,” he says softly. I let my gaze wander to the way his fingers ever-so-gently cup the mug of cocoa. I remember the feel of those hands on me.
I stare into his eyes, trained on me now, and remember what it was like when he stared at me naked, as if he’d come across the most precious treasure, treasure he’d searched for his whole life, his whole life, and he’d found it.
I watch as he takes a slow sip of cocoa and remember…what it feels like when his lips meet mine.
I shrug. “We’ve been best friends forever. There are complications. But yeah, Timeo. I can do my job wherever.”
I turn away.
Timeo loves control and mastering me. His brothers are the same—traditional men who want to lead and take control, be heads of the house and all that. I know that a part of me should run, should flee for the hills at the slightest hint of any control Timeo wants to exert over me…
But I can’t.
A part of me longs to surrender to him.
A part of me knows that there’s freedom in the letting go… because I trust him. And because he loves me.
Loves me.
There’s a shortage of people in this world who’ve loved me. And maybe we needed a few nights away from everyone and everything to get down to the bare bones of it all.
But can I trust him in the way I need to? The way Eden trusts Sergio? But in a way that’s only mine?
I suspect that I’m not the only one keeping secrets.
“I want you to show me, Starla.”
I momentarily distract myself by putting the mug in the sink and soaking the pot I used for the cocoa. I shrug, my back still to him. “Show you what?”
“Your work. Show me what you show them.”
I could pull up my profile on any of the platforms. Pull up my most viral videos. Give him an insider’s look as to how many views and shares and comments I have. But I don’t want to.
“Alright,” I say softly. I look around the kitchen for what I need and get to work. I mentally gather my list of supplies.
First, the apron. I pull it from a nail on the wall and loop it over my head then tie it behind me. I set my phone up the way I normally would, with the camera facing me so he gets the full effect. “I record and then edit after,” I explain. “And sometimes I do a live because my viewers go bonkers.”
He growls, but I’m not sure why.
I pretend to hit record.
“Welcome back, my friends,” I say with a warm smile they don’t see, but Timeo does. “Today, I’m going to show you one of the easiest, simplest meals to make that’s not only frugal and healthy, but so easy, anyone can do it.”
I take a large wooden bowl from the counter and begin filling it with random vegetables. A large leek, a red onion. A small bunch of carrots, celery, baby spinach that’s seen better days, and a plastic bag of green beans.
“This is a fantastic way to use up what’s in your fridge, too.” I quickly clean and begin preparing the vegetables. Timeo watches me as I slide a cutting board in front of my camera. One of the most aesthetically pleasing things for viewers to watch is a neat countertop and the slow process of chopping.
“Your hands are so pretty,” he says softly. I look down at my hands, small and nimble, but… pretty? I keep my nails short and filed to oval-shapes — it goes with the whole “kinda former Amish” vibe. My fingers are long and slender.
“Thank you?” I say while staring at my very plain hands.
He only watches me while I peel carrots and celery, wash and prepare green beans, and show my viewers an easy way of preventing tears while chopping onions. “Don’t want to shed a tear over vegetables? Chill your onion before cutting it, or try cutting it under water. You could buy onion-goggles to protect your eyes or wear a face mask, but let’s be real. Everyone needs a good cry once in a while, don’t you think?” I bat my eyelashes. “Or you could just ask your boyfriend or girlfriend to cut it for you.”