Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
He led me to the upstairs bedroom, the darkness outside providing a stark contrast to the warmth within.
Carefully, he sat me on the chaise and settled himself beside me. Flames danced in the fireplace a few feet away, casting their warm glow across the room. Alexander's voice broached the quiet as he posed a question that he likely already knew the answer to. "What did you think was happening?"
I didn’t answer straight away, forcing myself to remain staring at the flames as the intensity of his gaze seemed to pierce through any pretense, prompting me to admit the truth that had flitted through my mind. "I thought... I thought it might be... something much worse.”
“Did you think I was fucking her?”
My face felt hot, but I would be blaming the fireplace for that. “I had a different word in mind.”
A deep, resonant chuckle rumbled from his chest. “I think you’ve been given the wrong impression of me.”
“I don’t agree.”
“I could have her legs spread and begging for me with a few words, deliciae, without having to touch her. Even now.”
I swung my gaze to his. “That’s disgusting.”
He reached out and caught my chin. "I haven’t laid as much as a finger on another woman in a very long time, and I never will. Not when I have you," he stated, his tone carrying a firm conviction and sincerity that I couldn't dismiss.
I found myself caught between the conflicting currents of his magnetic allure and the reality of my captivity. Before I could further analyze his words, he continued, addressing the topic that had unnerved me.
“Why did you do that to her? What did she break that was so important?”
“You are adorably naïve.” He leaned in and kissed me, his lips gently pressing against mine.
Drawing back, he shook his head slightly, a subtle smile teasing his mouth.
"Nicolette’s discipline was a result of your emotional distress.”
“What do you mean? She didn’t do anything to me.”
“We both know that’s not true. She made remarks to you throughout the day that—” He stopped himself abruptly and took a breath. “She shouldn’t be alive at all. I saw that look on your face and wanted to tear her apart for putting it there.”
Confusion creased my brow, and my lips parted slightly in astonishment. It was only the second time I had witnessed this man, usually so composed, show signs of disturbance. Both instances were related to what he perceived as my suffering. At any other moment, his calm and collected demeanor was so steadfast, he might as well have been sculpted from iron, given his unyielding composure.
“How is it you can hurt me but no one else can?”
“It’s completely different.”
“Because I’m yours?”
“Yes,” he replied swiftly, either missing my bitter sarcasm or ignoring it. “I’ll do anything to keep you safe, both mentally and physically.”
Did he not realize the contradiction in his statement? He must’ve, because his next words showed he was well aware.
“I will hurt you. I won’t pretend otherwise. And more often than not, the pain will be intertwined with pleasure, even if you bleed for it. But I would never intentionally harm your heart.”
There was a disturbingly endearing quality to his honesty. His emotions and ways of thinking were not bound by conventional norms and defied simple classification.
His promises of devotion, the way he persistently declared his claim over me… it was all too overwhelming.
“What will happen to Nicolette now? Will she be okay?” Her situation was a safer anchor for my thoughts right then, a much-needed lifeline in the tumultuous sea that was Alexander.
“She’ll be fine. It's not an unusual occurrence, Lolita. It was actually requested by her betrothed."
His casual tone did little to quell the shock that rippled through me. The notion that such punishments were commonplace here left me reeling. "Why didn't he handle it himself?" I asked, trying to grasp the logic.
"Being disciplined by me is seen as a privilege," he explained. "It's a way to ensure she doesn't falter in her responsibilities."
I was dumbstruck. The concept was beyond my comprehension.
The thought that I might someday face such a punishment, the crack of a cane against my skin until it split open…
"I would never do that to you," he stated firmly, as if reading my thoughts.
His assurance didn't quite convince me, but I knew better than to challenge his perspective. My mind was more occupied with Nicolette's fate. "So, what happens to her now?"
"She'll receive care and then return to assist you. I’d prefer she cease to exist, but her father is a good man and would somehow feel responsible for her failure. Esther also intervened."
“They seem like good friends.”
"She didn’t do it for her. She did it for you.”
“Me?” I questioned disbelievingly.
“If Nicolette were to be reassigned, it would be seen as a direct affront to you.”
“And that would mean?”