Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 114(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
It’s just another country, but for me, we might as well be on another planet. The only times I’ve left my hometown were for a family vacation in California and to compete in Nationals. Malcolm, on the other hand, looks perfectly comfortable navigating his way through a country where he doesn’t even speak the language. I’ll add that to my ever-growing list of things I love about being with him.
“I know you’re jet lagged so we can check into the room and catch up on some rest. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow, and I want you at your best,” he tells me as the driver unloads our luggage from the van.
“I know I need to sleep, but I don’t know if I can. This is Paris! Aren’t you excited to get out and see everything?”
“There will be plenty of time for that. Paris can wait.” Malcolm wraps his arm around me and kisses my forehead.
We arrive at our room, and I marvel at the lavish furnishings and silk wallpaper. “I hope they didn’t put Everet King and the other boys in rooms like this one. They’ll be spilling beer on the upholstery by midnight.”
“Those idiots? No. Those idiots are at the Marriott Courtyard. You would be, too, if I didn’t book this suite on my own.”
“Well, it’s beautiful. Thank you for this.”
“Anything for my little girl.” He caresses my face and drops down on the bed. “Come lie with me for a while. When we wake up, we can order room service.”
The idea of getting some rest is growing on me now. My first intercontinental flight was a grueling experience. I climb onto the bed and rest my head on his chest. He strokes my hair and I close my eyes, wondering when the reality of it all will finally hit. Maybe it will be tomorrow when the opening ceremonies begin.
I open my eyes around midnight, and it takes a moment for me to remember where I am.
Malcolm is out cold. I don’t want to disturb him, but I feel like I’ve been eating sand and desperately need a drink. I slip out from under his arm and grab the room key from the table before setting out to find a vending machine. The little room with the ice and snacks is just a couple of feet away from our room, and I go inside to purchase a bottle of water and a protein bar.
While inside, I hear a boisterous choir of both male and female voices coming closer. I bolt from the room and head straight for my door.
“Marissa,” a male voice calls out from behind me.
“Everet King. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the Courtyard?”
“That’s where I’m staying, but I met these two lovely ladies at a nightclub and they invited me here. What do you think, Graves? You want in on this action? We can make this threesome a foursome. Just say the word.”
“No thank you, but have a good time,” I say as I put the key in the door.
“Isn’t gramps asleep by now? He probably won’t even know you’re gone.”
He’s barely finished the sentence when the door handle is ripped from my hand. A shirtless Malcolm barrels over the threshold with murder in his eyes. “What did you say, punk? Do I have to break bones for you to learn your lesson?”
The two drunk girls step away from Everet and stare at Malcolm. One of them licks her lips and whispers something that sounds like German into her friend’s ear. Now, I’m the jealous one. She has no right to be looking at Malcolm that way. I turn my attention back to the advancing altercation when I hear Malcolm say, “Come here. Let’s finish this.”
“I would like nothing more than to fight you, old man, but I have more important things to do. First, I’m going to fuck these bitches. Then, I’m going to win the gold. After that, maybe I’ll steal your girl too.”
Malcolm shoves Everet into the door across the hall so hard he bounces. The girls gasp, then laugh hysterically. One of them steps forward and tries to wrap her hand around Malcolm’s bicep. He steps away from her and toward Everet, who holds up his hands. “Not tonight. Seriously. You’ll get me and Marissa disqualified.”
Malcolm groans and clenches his fists by his sides. “Take your drunk fucking ass out of here before I decide that I don’t give a shit and take you apart piece by piece.”
“Come along, ladies. I have a job for the two of you.” Everet laughs and takes one girl under each arm. The three of them stumble down the hall, but Malcolm doesn’t move until they disappear from sight.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” he growls.
“He said those girls invited him to their room. They sound German or something.”