Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“I’ll be sleeping in the bed,” Roman said.
“No, you’re not. That is my bed, and you’re not sleeping in it.”
He raised a brow. “Where you sleep, I sleep.”
“We don’t sleep together at your place, and it’s not happening now.”
Roman chuckled. “You’re a spoiled little princess used to getting your own way.”
“And you’re a brute and a bully used to taking what he wants. You’re not sleeping in my bed. Simple as that.”
In response, Roman eased the towel from around his waist, and Alex gasped, closing her eyes. She didn’t see anything, and staring at her husband’s naked body didn’t appeal to her, not in the slightest.
She heard rustling, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Roman was beneath her blankets on her side of the bed, with her damn diary.
Alex wanted to scream at him. “You’re naked in my bed? Your ass is, like, making an impression.”
“My ass is nice and warm. There is enough room for both of us.”
She glared at him and then moved toward the window where she had a few beanbags from her days of being a child and not wanting to use conventional chairs.
Nudging them together, she made herself a little bed, much like she had when she was a child, and then, somehow found a way to build a bed for herself.
It was so uncomfortable, not like before when she was so young. This wasn’t her bed. It wasn’t comfortable, but it would do.
With the blanket thrown over her, she got comfortable, aware of the noise the bags were making, but eventually, she got comfortable.
The light was still on, and the only sound she heard was the unmistakable sound of the pages turning.
Bastard!
****
The following morning, Roman opened his eyes to a strange room. The bed was so comfortable. He couldn’t remember ever sleeping so well before in his life.
As he sat up in bed, the events of the night before came back at him. He glanced toward the ground nearby the window, and of course, Alex was nowhere to be seen. He gritted his teeth, threw off the blanket, and then checked to make sure she hadn’t stolen the diary from him.
Alex’s writings were sweet, innocent, and interesting. She didn’t talk about every part of her life, and in the diary, it was always addressed to Mom. He’d started at the beginning, and by the time he was ready to fall asleep, he’d gotten to the part of her life when it had just been agreed for her to marry him.
Much to his surprise, the passage had started with her saying she never wanted to get married.
Roman closed the book, not wanting to read further, but the main thing was that he was tired.
He grabbed the small diary and held it as he moved into the bathroom.
Alex was nowhere to be found. He used the toilet, washed his hands, and brushed his teeth with a spare toothbrush that was still sealed in its packet. Alex must have left for him.
Her politeness was … strange.
Once he was fully dressed, he made his way downstairs. A quick check on the time, and he saw it was a little after eight.
He never slept this late. Never.
Entering the kitchen, he found Millie beating something in a bowl. Did Liam ever consider using his cook to torture people? The swing on her arm was so impressive.
“Hello, Mr. Greco,” Millie said. “Mr. Smith has already been down for breakfast. He wanted me to remind you that you’ve got to keep an eye on Alex today. He had some business to attend to. Also, your father will be coming for dinner here tonight, to discuss some important matters. Alex doesn’t need to leave, as she is going to be attending the orphanage today.”
“No. Alex cannot go anywhere for her own safety.”
“I have never seen any harm come to that girl during my watch, and I never will. Do not think to insult me again.”
His grip tightened on the diary. “I am not accusing you or trying to insinuate that you’re not capable of looking after Alex. I know you are. You’ve been doing it for twenty-one years, but these are not your regular enemies. They have a job to do, and Alex is not just a Smith anymore.”
“I’m aware of the dangers she faces, but you must also know that I am trained to take care of anyone who threatens my boss’s daughter. She is one of my own, and trust me, no one would want to take me on.” She did look threatening.
“Where is Alex?” he asked, gripping the back of his neck.
Millie chuckled. “Lost her already?”
“It wasn’t … she was gone when I woke up this morning.”
“Alex always was an early riser. She hates lying in bed. Drives her dad crazy. She’s already had breakfast and yours is keeping warm in the oven.” Millie looked past his shoulder. “She’s probably in the sewing room. That’s where she told me she’d be.”