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)
Before I can say anything, he turns to the shower, spinning away. I want to see the truth on his face. I want to believe what he’s saying. Emilia did say she had never seen him date someone and that does make more sense now, but I don't know if I should believe what he’s saying.
I shake my head. Antonio is such a strong force of energy. It would make sense that he doesn't let his guard down often, there would be too much at stake. I can admit that he does with me. He’s done it several times. Heck, right now it feels like that’s exactly what he's doing. It's a gift I can't take for granted. Maybe that's why I feel so connected to him.
He doesn't realize it, but he has made me feel like I matter from our first moments together.
I’ve got to find my own value. He told me that and I know his words are true. He’s also right in that deep down I already realize it. That said, the way Antonio is treating me makes it easier to believe. He probably has no idea that he’s helping me to once again find my own sense of worth.
“I can't believe we just had sex out there,” I whine, distracting myself from my thoughts before I cry all over him. “Won't your men be tired of waiting? And what about the priest?”
He shrugs his thick, beautiful shoulder and I get hypnotized by the way it flexes. “I don't really give a fuck. This is a much better result than I was expecting today. I'm grateful as hell right now.”
I grin, doing my best to come out of my haze. “Antonio, I mean it. You should go tell them that we've been held up.”
He has his hand in the water, checking the temperature as he glances back at me.
“Baby, you don't want me to do that.”
For a moment, I'm caught off guard. I see him. I look at him all the time, but right now, he is breathtaking. He's everything I never knew I wanted. I hold my breath as the realization washes over me, it feels surreal that, without a doubt, I can't imagine anyone else in my life.
I shake my head, trying to focus once more. His nakedness clouds my mind, instantly putting my body into a torturous limbo of needing him to touch me. I don’t get control of my wayward thoughts because my eyes drop down to his cock—a cock that is still mostly hard, even after all we just did.
“You're wrong. I do.”
He frowns at me. “Fine.” He walks over to the wall to a sleek silver monitor no bigger than an iPad with a keyboard. He clicks a button as Victorio's face appears on the screen.
I instantly realize my mistake, screaming as I try to hide my body. I jump down, ducking as low to the ground as I can, bent at the waist to hide most of my body.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Antonio asks, staring at me.
“I'm trying to cover myself so he can't see me. It's not like your men haven't seen enough of me as it is.”
Antonio laughs so hard that it takes him a minute to regain his composure. “Woman, stop. They can look, but it's not like they can touch. They try, and I'll kill them.”
I stand behind him, knowing his broad body will hide mine, as I glare at him through narrowed eyes.
“How many women have you enjoyed over the years that they got to look at?”
He doesn't even flinch, his head still turned to look at me. The bastard has the audacity to smirk. “A lot.” I can’t figure out if I want to curse him or cry. I’m thinking maybe both. I wrestle with my emotions but before I can reply, he continues. “But none of them would lead to their death for touching, and they knew that. Hell, I even watched as they had them a few times. But you—” The threat in his voice, the sheer possessiveness, has my body at full attention as I look at him, mouth open in shock. “You, il mio tesoro, I'd kill them for even trying to touch. You are my woman. My men can never have you and they know that.”
“I guess I should feel lucky,” I tell him dryly, unable to grasp what I'm actually feeling after that rollercoaster.
“No, Lina, I'm the bastard that's lucky and I know it.”
I huff. “I really hate how you can make me want to kick you in the balls one second and the next, deliver a line that makes me melt.”
“You mean makes you wet,” he counters with a cocky look.
“It doesn't matter because I barely get a breath before you make me want to choke you again,” I snap.