Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76390 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
As he flipped it open to the first page, she explained, “It’s deliberately unrealistic, if you know what I mean, with a focus on rounded figures and miniatures.”
Nik only nodded, his concentration fully focused on Daria’s work, which he surprisingly found both interesting and fascinating. Page after page, her whimsical and colorful illustrations leapt to life, ranging from little girls in kimonos to landscapes filled with cotton-candy skies, flowers made of cakes, and rainbows turned into bridges.
“You’re good,” he said quietly.
Her eyes widened.
She was obviously startled, but he also saw the doubt in her eyes, leading him to say firmly, “I mean it.”
“You don’t think it’s silly?” The words were out before Daria could stop them.
Nik frowned. “Is that why you don’t consider yourself a real artist?”
She wondered if he was joking. “You’ve seen what I draw. Almost everyone thinks my work’s silly.”
Nik’s eyes narrowed at her. “Just because something’s cute doesn’t mean it’s silly,” he dismissed. “You shouldn’t listen to people who think like that. They are the ones being silly.” His accent had thickened with his last sentence, and she realized that Nik actually felt irritated on her account.
Daria opened and closed her mouth several times before she could mumble awkwardly, “T-thank you.” Compliments about her looks she was used to, but her work was a different thing entirely, and the fact that it was Nik made her treasure the words even more.
“I’d love to know more about your work.”
At the words, Daria couldn’t help stealing a look at Nik’s face, wanting to make sure he wasn’t just being polite. “You really want to?”
Nik only arched a brow in response, almost as if saying he wasn’t the type to speak something he didn’t mean.
Oh. Flushing with both embarrassment and pleasure, she said shyly, “We could talk about it over breakfast?” She held her breath as soon as she asked, a part of her still waiting for him to turn her down.
But he didn’t.
After a beat, he reached for her hand and clasped it. It was the first time he had done so, and Daria furiously blinked back tears again.
Thank You, God.
Hand in hand, they walked back inside the room. After closing the door, Nik turned to her and Daria’s mouth became dry at the look in his eyes.
It was...hot, but it was more than that, too. It almost seemed like...this feeling she still couldn’t make herself say out loud.
The next moment, she wasn’t sure who made the first move. They were suddenly in each other’s arms, his mouth covering hers.
When he ended the kiss, Nik gritted out, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too.” Again, she had to fight back tears as she spoke. She wanted to say more, wanted to explain herself so there would no longer be any lies between them. But Nik seemed to sense it, and rather than let her speak, he chose to kiss her instead.
Don’t say a word, his kiss said.
And because this feeling inside her was so strong and she wanted so badly for him to feel the same way, Daria didn’t.
They took a shower together, and after, Nik toweled Daria dry and dressed her. His tender ministrations left her tongue-tied, Daria never expecting someone as aloof as Nik could pamper her this way. His actions made it so much harder not to think about what this felt. What this was called.
As they ate breakfast at a nearby café, he began asking her questions about her work, all of which she happily answered. Daria told him about her work process, which started with doodles that she then turned into digital works so she could share them via social media.
“And that’s how potential clients see my stuff, and I earn by commission from those orders.”
He was checking her online portfolio on his phone now, and the variety of her work in it was even more impressive. “You make wedding invitations, too?”
“Uh huh. Usually, it’s when the couple wants everything personalized and handmade. I typically partner with letterers or calligraphers because I’m not good with those.” She tapped his screen, swiping for the next photo. “This particular work’s one of my biggest breaks. It’s a collaboration with the House of Argenti.”
Recognizing the name, Nik tried to search his memory for the last piece of news he had of the famous fashion brand. “The wedding involves...a princess from Europe, right?”
She grinned.
His gaze gleamed with approval. “That is quite a coup.”
Daria flushed in pleasure at the genuine admiration lining Nik’s voice. “T-thanks.” She paused then blurted out, “If you marry, maybe I could do your wedding invitation.”
Nik stilled.
Shit. Awkward. Shit. Oh my God, why had she said that anyway?
She opened her mouth to take it all back, but Nik beat her to it, his voice low and husky as he spoke. “It depends on whom I’ll marry.” All he meant was that it was his bride who should make such a choice, but when he raised his gaze to Daria, he realized she had interpreted it in a different way.