Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“My career. I might not have brought him into the fold, but I allowed him to continue to spiral downhill, and for that, I’m sorry.”
It’s not the declaration I wanted. Nor is it the answer to what happened to Roman, but I guess his remorse is a start. He wasn’t the one to hurt him, but he feels the loss, and he takes responsibility for his part. It’s time I acknowledge that no one made Roman do what he did.
“Roman’s death isn’t on you, Gideon. Roman’s drug use…” I try to gain composure. Talking about him and that time always pulls me under, but this time, I need to swallow that down and offer an olive branch. “There is only one person to blame for his death, and that’s Roman.”
We both become quiet after that, and that’s when I’m able to appreciate the night sky.
Fireflies flitter around, lighting up the horizon around us.
“This is truly magnificent.”
He smiles. “I thought you might like it.”
I turn to look at him, and I realize he’s watching me. His eyes are filled with an emotion I can’t place. It’s too dark to know what it means, but it feels like something special is happening here.
“Tell me about your favorite score to play,” he says, breaking the heaviness of the moment.
And I do. It’s easy to forget where we started when we talk like this. When he listens. It’s easy being with him, and the scariest part is that falling for him could be just as easy.
It could also be my demise.
“Sasha,” a voice says from across the room. It’s hard to hear, and a part of me thinks I might still be sleeping. “Time to wake up.”
“Not yet,” I groan, swatting away the sound, but as my hand lifts into the air, I hear my name again.
Burying my head under the pillow drowns it out, but something tells me Gideon won’t stop annoying me until he gets what he wants, and what he wants is me awake.
“Why are you up? Better question, why are you talking to me at this ungodly hour?”
“It’s nine a.m., hardly ungodly,” he mocks. “Plus, breakfast is ready.”
It’s morning. How the hell did that happen? It happened because you were so relaxed that you slept like a log, and it’s all because of him.
Pulling the pillow away from my eyes, I’m met with a familiar pair of cerulean. “I’m not hungry.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re still eating.” Gideon stares at me from across the room, and in his stern gaze, I can tell there is no room for argument. He leans against the wall, arms crossed as if he’s waiting for me to object.
I won’t. I know better than to do that. “Why do you have to be so annoying?” My heart skips a beat as I watch Gideon laugh. It fills me with warmth. A thought I don’t want to read too much into, but it does nonetheless.
I’m pathetic.
“I’m not annoying.” His lips tip up into a grin, and now I’m truly screwed. His smile is dazzling, reminding me of a morning sun rising up over an ocean. Glimmering silver, like little diamonds. “I’m just trying to make sure you eat.”
I roll my eyes are him. “What’s your obsession with me being fed?”
All at once, his smile drops, and he looks away. Something passes over his gaze, but I can’t place it.
Seeing his change of demeanor has my stomach plummeting. He looks serious again, and I don’t like it. “Fine. I give up. I’ll get dressed and eat.”
He nods. “Meet me downstairs in five minutes.”
“Just because you weren’t a complete ass yesterday doesn’t mean you can boss me around today,”
Gideon shakes his head at me before turning to walk out the door. “Just get up, firefly. We go home tomorrow, and I want to take you somewhere.”
“Another surprise?”
He looks back, and his gaze looks mischievous. “You can say that.”
“Fine,” I huff. “Now leave.”
A few minutes later, dressed in tight black yoga pants and a baby blue tank, I head downstairs.
I walk into the kitchen, and I’m immediately hit with a wave of heat from the oven. On the table are eggs, toast, croissants, and fruits. The spread makes my heart flutter. All the breakfast foods I eat at the manor. He pays attention.
The smell of the eggs and the toast fills my nostrils as I take a deep breath in.
Everything is cooked to perfection. The eggs are not too runny and not too dry—just the right amount of fluffiness that makes my mouth water. The toast is lightly browned with an edge of crispness around it—exactly how the chef prepares it at home.
Home?
It’s not your home, Sasha.
I take a bite of the eggs and find Gideon watching me from across the table.
“What? Do I have something on my face?” Placing my fork down, I lift my hand and wipe at my lips.