Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
She shut her eyes. “I-I can’t… There are no words…” She trailed off.
For some reason, I ran my hand over her head, touching the long, dark tresses on the pillow. She sighed, turning her head into my caress.
“I know,” I replied.
I did a quick check of the casino. Spoke with my managers. All assured me things were fine, the night was busy, but everything was under control. They also told me Aldo had been around, checking on everything. My right hand had been annoying but, as usual, highly efficient.
Effie was on her side, curled into a ball, almost defensively. But she appeared to be asleep, so I grabbed fresh clothes and took a shower. I came back into the room, finding her in the throes of a nightmare. I stood beside the bed, trying to help her. I had no experience offering comfort, but I vaguely recalled my mother’s soothing touch as a child, and I carefully touched her shoulder and ran my fingers through her hair. It was like silk to touch but knotted. It needed a brush, but she’d been too exhausted for me to suggest that. I would bring up someone from the salon in the morning to help her.
When she quieted, I looked around, unsure. I had to wake her every few hours, and I had planned on sleeping on the sofa in my office. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d crashed there. But it felt too far away in case she had another nightmare. Instead, I pulled a chair away from the window, bringing it close to the bed. I sat down and lifted my legs to the bed, then I set my alarm to wake me to check on her. I would be close if she needed me.
I’d intended to close my eyes, but I couldn’t take my gaze off her. Small and delicate-looking in the large bed, she was bruised, scared, and an unwelcome distraction. Yet, despite the bruises, the fear, and the fact that she was nothing like the women I usually preferred, there was something about her I found intriguing. Captivating. I felt a draw to her I couldn’t deny.
And one I had to forget. Nothing could come of this. She was, without a doubt, a relationship girl, and I didn’t do relationships. I did brief stints. Sex. A few dates, maybe a weekend away. A pretty piece of jewelry I let them pick out at the shop downstairs and a goodbye. No one lasted. I was never interested enough, and I was always honest from the start. I felt nothing for them but the lust of the moment. It always passed.
And this draw would as well.
Of that, I was certain.
CHAPTER 7
EFFIE
Iwoke, my eyelids flying open. I’d had the most terrible nightmare. I pressed a hand on my heart to calm the racing, only to realize, as I took in the dim room, it hadn’t been a nightmare. This wasn’t my room or my bed.
And I hadn’t dreamed the man currently asleep in the chair by the foot of the bed. It had been his voice waking me, lifting my head for sips of water, asking me my name and his.
Roman Costas.
I took a moment to study him in the muted light. Asleep, the stern countenance was softened. His full lips were parted, his breathing deep and even. His dark chestnut hair spilled over his forehead, and scruff dusted his chin. He looked younger. Not so dangerous. He was in a simple T-shirt and sweats, and I blushed thinking of how he’d dressed me the night before.
I had no idea what to make of him. One moment, he was kind; the next, he seemed angry. He refused to let me leave yet let me know he was as unhappy about it as I was.
Still, he touched me with nothing but gentleness. His voice all night was low and concerned. I swore I felt his hand running over my head, and I heard him hushing me, telling me everything was all right. It comforted me greatly.
I must have imagined that.
I needed to get up, and I gingerly lifted the blankets, pushing myself into a sitting position, a low groan escaping my mouth. Roman’s eyes flew open, and he shot from the chair as if the room was on fire.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“I have to get up.”
“What do you need? I’ll get it.”
I huffed a breath. “I have to pee.”
“Oh.” He straightened. “Right. Of course.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Do you need help?”
“No. I’ll do it.”
It took me a moment, but I swung my legs out of bed, holding in my hiss of pain. It felt as if I had been hit by a Mack truck. I pushed off the mattress, the room around me spinning. Before I could take a step, Roman had me in his arms.