Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
That’s when Steven looks at me as if reading my mind. I can’t help but smirk.
“Did you need something? We were just leaving,” Alina says, glancing between us because the tension is palpable.
“Yes, I was hoping to grab your number before you leave. So we can catch up sometime.”
My jaw tightens but I don’t let it show.
I mean, what right do I have? She’s not mine. We made it very clear. The voice of reason doesn’t do much to control my possessive grip on her hip.
“Oh. Uhh…” She turns to me. I wait for a moment, not saying anything. That can be her decision. Something passes through her gaze, but I can’t read it. Does she want me to step in? Does she want something from me? “Do you mind?” she whispers. Does she want me to stop her?
Because I won’t. I don’t have a right.
“Not at all.” I nod, indicating she can do whatever she wants. I don’t hold her back, and I have made no promises. We’re just here for a good time. Or so I keep telling myself.
“Pass me your phone. I don’t live here though. I’m based in London. I’m just here visiting my mother.”
Steven smiles at that and hands her his phone, and I want to wipe the smug expression from the prick’s face.
Maybe I’ll hack his phone later and see what Steven has been up to lately.
Alina takes his phone, and the whole time, I’m drilling a hole into his head with my stare. I want to watch him squirm uncomfortably. Especially if it’s unreasonable for me to hit him. And I don’t even know why I want to hit him. She’s not mine.
He’s smiling, and his gaze flicks up to mine, not even watching as she puts her number in.
He thinks he won.
I lean in and kiss her bare shoulder, kissing my way up her neck to make a point. She doesn’t push me away, but I do notice as she fumbles with her own number before she hands the phone back to Steven.
Fuck you, Steven.
“I’ll be sure to call,” he says. She nods, and before she can say anything else, I’m dragging her out. She laughs when we get outside, and it’s like music to my ears.
That fucking laugh.
I love it.
And yet I grumble when I ask, “Why are you laughing?”
“At you being all ‘I’m totally okay’ but acting like a possessive boyfriend.”
“I am not.” My tone is curt, and she just laughs.
I don’t even wait until we get to the car. The minute the cold air hits us, I spin her and slam my lips to hers. I don’t care if we’re at the entrance of an event. She’s mine, and this naughty little vixen needs to be reminded of that.
Mine.
I break away at the thought, and it’s not missed by Alina, who clears her throat as someone walks in behind us. An older couple most likely discussing the spectacle they just witnessed.
Now she laughs as she throws her hands up in the air, but it lacks humor. “What are we doing, Will? Honestly.”
My eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean? We’re having fun, aren’t we?”
“We’re beyond that point now. And if it’s been nothing but a bit of fun, maybe we should just leave it as that. I’ll catch my own cab home.” She goes to walk away but I grab her wrist.
“We’re not done tonight,” I say adamantly, never wanting to see that expression on her face again. She looks… tired of me.
And I never want there to be a world where this woman isn’t drawn to me as much as I am her.
“Will, I leave soon. This has been fun but I don’t even know what I’m getting myself involved with when it comes to you. Why are you really here in this town? How do you know the locals? How have you slept with half of them?”
I curve an arrogant smile. “Now who’s acting like a jealous girlfriend?”
She throws her hand in the air and goes to walk away, forgetting that I still have a hold of her other wrist.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt out. Her head whips in my direction because when, if ever, have I apologized to anyone for being a smartass? It’s always been the easiest way to keep everyone at a distance, but I’m realizing now that maybe I want Alina a little closer. “Please let me explain.”
She sighs and glances at the bridge a short distance away. “Let’s go for a walk. I don’t want to do it around here where another one of your fan club girls might corner us.”
I sigh, grateful for her ability to put me at ease, though the conversation we’re about to have will be anything but comfortable.
We walk over to the bridge and she stares down into the water. I notice immediately that the air is cold, so I take my jacket off and put it over her shoulders.