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)
“Did you? Punish him?”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“I gave him a chance at restitution.”
“Did he take it?”
I nodded.
“And you think that makes you weak?”
I blinked at her question.
She kept talking. “I think it makes you compassionate.”
“Stop making me out to be a good man, Effie. I am anything but that.”
“You can be powerful, scary, and intimidating and still be compassionate, Roman. It doesn’t make you less.”
“It does in my world.”
“Then you need to change your world.”
I stared at her. The light behind her highlighted her curves through the thin material of her shirt. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and I could see her nipples under the fabric. Her hair was loose and hung down her back in waves of ebony. Her eyes were staring at me. Through me. The idea she saw me, the part of me that I kept hidden from the world, hit me, and I grasped the back of my chair, forcing myself to stay where I was. Not to cross the space between us and feel her against me. Take my anger out on her. Aldo was right. I wouldn’t forgive myself for that.
“Go to bed, Effie.”
She shook her head. “No, I want to keep talking to you.”
“I don’t want to talk to you. Get out of my sight.”
“Why?”
“I am barely holding on. Get out of my sight before I do something we both regret.”
She lifted her chin. “You don’t scare me.”
I pushed off the chair. Walked toward her. She never wavered. She met my gaze, steady and sure. “You’re mad at yourself, not me,” she said.
“Pretty sure it’s you irritating me.”
“What have I done that is so irritating?”
I leaned close, laying it on the line. “I can’t get your voice out of my head, Effie. I can’t stay away from you. You are all I think about. Worry over. Your opinion matters to me. I don’t usually give a fuck what anyone thinks, but your thoughts somehow have become a priority. You have gotten under my skin, and I’ll be damned if I know how to get you out.”
“And you hate that?”
“Yes.”
She drew in a deep breath. “You hate me?”
I let my shoulders drop. “No.”
“I don’t hate you either.”
I had her in my arms before I could think. As soon as she was close, the anger, the anxiety I was feeling drained away. I felt calmer. Focused.
“Fuck, Effie, what are you doing to me?”
“I don’t know.”
“Me either. A month ago, I would have shot that boy without a thought.”
“Why does what I think make a difference?”
I tilted my head and studied her. I cupped her face, stroking the skin gently. “I don’t know. Perhaps to win your favor. Make you see me as something other than someone to fear.”
“I don’t fear you.”
Our eyes locked and held.
“Maybe you should. You did when you met me.”
“No. I see more to you now.”
“What do you see?” I asked, trying to tamp down the new energy humming through my body. It replaced the anger, ramping up the desire I was feeling having her so close.
“I see Roman, the man.”
I pulled her closer. “Do you like what you see, Little Tiger?”
She wrapped her hand around my wrist, gripping me hard. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Yes.”
I covered her mouth with mine, kissing her. She snuck her hand around my neck, sliding into my hair, twisting the strands. I shivered at her touch, tugging her to me and deepening the kiss. She tasted of sweetness, sugar, cinnamon, and something unique. Something special. Effie.
She was hesitant at first, but I coaxed her tongue with mine, groaning as she learned to kiss me back. Everything in my life ceased to exist but this moment. Nothing mattered but her. Me. The two of us.
I dragged my mouth down her neck, kissing the tender flesh. “Am I your first kiss?” I asked, the caveman in me rejoicing when she nodded.
“Like that, yes.” She paused. “My first everything.”
“Effie,” I murmured, her words affecting me somehow. “Don’t tell me that.”
“Why?” she asked. “You should know that I have no experience.”
That statement only made me want her more.
“I want you,” I rasped. “Don’t tempt me.”
“Why?” she repeated.
“I don’t know. I shouldn’t, but I do.” I pulled back, meeting her wide gaze. “I want you more than I have ever wanted another woman.”
“I-I want you too.”
I towered over her. “I feel like a live wire,” I said quietly, truthfully. “I don’t know if I can be gentle with you.” I met her gaze. “I don’t know if I can be gentle.”
“You won’t hurt me.”
“Fuck,” I cursed. “I need you, Effie. When I’m with you, I’m calmer. I need that right now.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I. You unlock something inside me. I can’t stop thinking about you. Thinking about being with you.”
“I-I think about you too,” she confessed. “When you kissed me earlier, I liked it.”