Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
And I know the chances are so slim—
I’m always looking for excuses to run. This time, I won’t. I can’t. If I spend the rest of my life running every time I draw close to anyone, where will I end up?
My thoughts come to a screeching halt when the elevator door opens, bringing us back to the most high-end penthouse I’ve ever seen. It’s more than a hotel room, more than anything I even saw at Le Luxe.
I have a question, though. “Lyam, how is this place possibly secure? How do you hide it?”
He shrugs. “Camouflage, to begin with. That forest of thick trees? The outside of the building was intentionally designed to disappear into the surroundings. Remember how we didn’t even see it when we first drove here?
I nod, wordless. This is amazing.
“So the structure blends into the forest, making it harder to see from a distance. That only keeps the most basic viewers from finding it, though. We planted natural barriers, some extra vegetation and a rooftop garden which makes it a lot harder to see from above.”
Brilliant. Anyone flying over would see the spread of green and colors of vegetation. From a distance, it would look like the ground below.
“The entrances are secret and hidden, but the most high-tech methods involve blocking radar and jamming systems with electronic countermeasures. We don’t want aircraft finding us.”
“And this is all legal?” I blurt out. “Like… there are military planes and—”
He only smirks.
Yeah. I forgot who I was talking to there for a minute.
“We’ve got surveillance cameras, motion detectors, alarms, and security teams around the clock. Biometric access panels keep out unwanted guests.”
“Right. Wow.”
“Windows are reinforced, the walls are bulletproof. We even have a fire suppression system and emergency generators. The windows and doors are reinforced with shatterproof glass and heavy-duty locks.”
“So not only are you guarding against attacks, not only are you making sure you have a place to hide where literally no one can find you, but you’re also prepared in the event of like… a nuclear attack.”
“Yes.”
Holy shit.
“Well, then,” I mutter to myself. “Guess I somehow stumbled on the exact right type of father I’d want for my baby. Someone to make sure they are as safe as can possibly be. Maybe we should pick out where we’ll put the nursery.”
Another smirk.
The elevator opens.
“This place is lavish,” I tell him.
He shrugs. “You know I like to work hard and play hard. And we had to have it designed so that it was comfortable enough for a long-term stay.”
Long-term stay.
“How long do you think we’ll be here?”
“I don’t know,” he says honestly. “We may be leaving the premises for your prenatal visits. We don’t bring people here unless it’s necessary.”
That’s a full month away.
“You’ll like it here, though,” he says, as he stretches his shoulders and neck. His voice drops to a lower, deeper register that holds promise. “I’ll make sure of it.”
My pulse begins to pound. My mouth goes dry, and a warm sensation fills my belly.
He’ll make sure I like it here, will he?
I’m glad we moved out of his house. I’d have a hard time forgetting the memory of the prison-like room he kept me in, even if it wasn’t for long. I want to start fresh with him. Maybe this is my chance.
I look around the room. It’s elegant but functional, with modern and stylish decor—marble flooring, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and in the living area, comfortable seating with panoramic views of the skyline. There’s an office, a kitchen, and two sitting areas, one with an open dining room table near the kitchen. I don’t feel right about getting these floors dirty, so I kick off my shoes. I luxuriate in the soft feel of carpet underfoot.
When I walk to the kitchen, though, I brace myself for the cold of the floor beneath my feet.
I pause on the very edge of the room and look to Lyam with wide eyes.
“It’s warm,” I whisper.
“They’re heated floors,” he whispers back.
“Are you kidding me? Why?”
I like the way his eyes crinkle at the edges, almost boyish. He’s never carefree, but this is close. He shoves his hands in his pockets and shrugs.
“Because no one likes cold feet. They’re in the bathroom, too.”
This is the Lyam I’ve missed.
My heart aches, knowing that this is the Lyam I crave.
No. No, that isn’t true.
I crave every facet of Lyam. Without his hard exterior, his tenderness isn’t the same. Without his struggles, he isn’t the man he is today, the man he strives to be.
Without his past, there is no present.
Is the same true about me?
I’m not sure how to feel about any of this. I’m not sure what he wants from me. Is he only trying to butter me up?
Or can I actually accept the fact that he’s forgiven me? That he knows I’m carrying his child, and that my protection matters to him?