Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
I frown at the bath. There’s a yellow tub that has probably been here since way before I was born—maybe even before my father was. The torn white plastic shower curtain doesn’t really help the ambience of the room either. Still, I’m desperate enough to try it. I’m still suffering from my wicked night with Antonio. I swear when I’m walking there are moments when I get phantom pains of being stretched by him—as if he were still inside me.
I frown at the small towels that feel rough and scratchy. Okay, maybe luxury has spoiled me a bit. I’d kill for one of my big, soft, fluffy bath towels at home right about now. I strip down quickly. I reach into the tub to turn on the water. The pipes creak in protest. It’s so loud that I wince. They eventually quiet, only to be followed by a vibrating sound in the shower wall that’s so loud that I cup my hands over my ears.
This can’t be good.
There’s a hammering on the wall at the same time. “Cut it out in there!” a hoarse voice screams, the sound muffled.
I do my best not to panic. I could skip the shower, but the truth is I really need one. Once I get in under the water, I rethink that idea because despite being turned all the way to hot, the water is ice cold. It’s so bad that I shiver the entire time I bathe. I want to shave my legs, but my teeth are chattering, so I don’t even try. Maybe wherever I end up tomorrow will have a better shower.
I grab the towel which is akin to drying off with a scouring pad. Luckily for me, the cold seems to have numbed any feeling I have in my limbs. I fish around in my backpack and find a clean pair of panties and once I have those, I fish out Antonio’s shirt that I stole this morning. Slipping it on, I’m enveloped by his cologne and masculine scent. I go straight to the bed and crawl under the cover, close my eyes and think about the night I spent in his arms. Remembering the relentless way that he claimed me, makes me feel warm all over. It also leaves me feeling achingly alone. There’s yelling beginning in the next room over. I guess if he couldn’t take his anger out on me, he will on his woman. They proceed to get louder and louder, then, I hear things hitting the wall.
I grab a pillow and pull it over my head to try and muffle the noise. It’s only then I discover I’m crying. I let the tears fall.
melina
Two Weeks Later
I smile as I step outside the small café I’ve been working at. It’s hard to believe that in two weeks I’ve found heaven, and yet I have. Heaven is a tiny island called Kastellorizo. It’s a quiet place where technology doesn’t run everything. It’s quaint and peaceful. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Most everyone walks or rides bikes. There’s an old taxi that makes a run here or there for the older citizens, but other than that… nothing.
The only drawback to the place is that there’s a good chance it is still not far enough away from my father. I figure I’m close to six hundred miles from Athens. That’s not great, but considering this is the island that time forgot, I’m thinking my father won’t even think of it. I feel safe here. There’s every chance that I’m fooling myself, but I can’t drum up the courage to care. I’m trapped in Greece. The minute I buy a plane ticket my father will find me. He’s that powerful and that ruthless. He won’t let me go easily—especially since he’s already brokered a deal involving me. That means my best hope is to keep my head down and stay under the radar. I’m trying to do just that. I get paid cash under the table. I’ve rented a small cottage on the seaside and I’m living a life about as different from the one I used to have that I can—and loving every minute of it.
If there’s one dark spot in the last two weeks, it’s that I truly do miss Antonio. It’s crazy, but I think he’s somehow marked me. At the very least, he’s left his mark on my body because I ache to be with him again. The loneliness gets so bad sometimes that I almost regret going to the hotel and giving myself to him.
Almost, but not quite.
It’s hard to regret the single greatest night in your life. I want to say that in the future I’ll find love and be happy, but I can’t manage to lie to myself enough to believe that. The future is out there and the promise of it can be terrifying. That means, I’m going to enjoy the here and now.