Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
The wine was there, but he hadn’t opened a bottle as Milah couldn’t drink, so he poured them both a glass of water.
By the time Milah arrived, he’d already fired up the grill and had their steaks in the oven.
“Something smells good,” Milah said, moving toward him and surprising him as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Just doing the grilling.”
“A man’s job?”
“There’s not much I can do to feed us, but grilling is something I can.” He was about to tell her that his father taught him, but he decided to keep it to himself.
Milah had no fond parental memories, other than when her father wasn’t around, but even then, her mother put training above everything else.
Turning over the steaks, he glanced over at Milah as she walked toward the table. Their lives had been totally different. He was surrounded by war but filled with love in his home. Milah had been surrounded by war everywhere. Her parents’ hatred for one another.
“I see you grabbed everything out of the fridge,” she said.
“I didn’t know what you’d enjoy today.” Her food preferences changed daily.
She grabbed a grape, putting it in her mouth with a smile. “I love it all today.”
Damon finished with the steaks, putting them on their plates to rest. After setting a plate in front of Milah, he sat down opposite her. She picked up her water and took a sip.
“Are you enjoying it here?” he asked.
“Yes, very much so. I didn’t think I would, but this place is so beautiful.”
“To us and to the future,” he said, lifting his glass.
Milah hesitated.
“What is it?” Raoul had also told him to find the strength to be calm, even when she infuriated him. In the beginning, when he first took her, he found everything about her to be infuriating. The past few weeks, he didn’t find her to be like that. Not anymore. He enjoyed her company.
He never admitted this to Raoul or to his father, but there were things about Milah he found adorable, cute, and some he loved.
Like the pups back home. They were still growing, and every single day, Milah played mother to them. Or she did until he recommended they go away together. He had no doubt once they got home, she’d be back to babying the pups. It was something his father would have loved her for. Then there was the fact she loved to cook and bake. Even though it was costing him sleep back home, he loved to watch her in the kitchen. There he got to see her smile, which was another thing he loved.
She had the cutest dimples on her cheeks when she let go and smiled. He’d seen them a lot more in the past few days of being at the villa. What he hadn’t gotten the pleasure of seeing was her dancing, and he hoped to see that soon enough.
Milah had the Russo name, but not the true nature of the beast. Her mother had stopped that awful grip of taking hold of her daughter, and Damon was so fucking happy with that.
“I … do you think we should toast to the future with us?”
“Milah, the last few days have told me that when we’re not fighting or allowing this family feud to get in the way, you and I are good together. Haven’t you enjoyed the past couple of days?”
She nodded.
“Then why can’t we have a future? Nothing is holding us back. There is just you and me.”
Milah stared at his glass, and he got to see those dimples once again. “You’re right. To us and to the future.”
He winked at her and took a sip.
“How about we go for a swim tonight?” Damon asked.
Milah nodded, popping a tomato in her mouth. She chewed for several seconds before swallowing. “I like that idea.”
They ate their food, and Damon couldn’t take his gaze away from Milah. They didn’t talk, but it wasn’t awkward.
This was their newfound freedom, he believed.
He noticed the way Milah kept sneaking glances his way, and he had to smile, he just couldn’t help himself.
Milah was falling for him, and that was all part of the plan. It wouldn’t be long before she was confessing her feelings and marrying him. Then he’d have his true revenge on the Russo family.
Even as he thought it, Damon couldn’t help but look at Milah and that smile. She was so beautiful.
Chapter Fourteen
They’d been at the villa for a week when Damon had no choice but to return home. There was no way Milah was going to stay behind, so she followed him back to his country home.
He left for the city, and to avoid Glory, Milah explored his home.
She never tried to leave, so the guards were told to let her explore, and to do that, she got to find every single nook and cranny, including the large expanse of the attic.