Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Rumi is distributing food to three plates. Since they’re about to eat, this is probably a good time to make my exit.
“Well, I’m sorry for the abrupt departure. It’s been cool living with you guys this semester, and I hope your next roommate is an awesome fit.”
Sabrina must have simmered down—or at least realized she couldn’t fish for an invitation if she was still mad at me—because she says, “Well, you’d better have us over.”
“And if Silvan has any similarly hot, rich friends in the market for a live-in girlfriend, hook a girl up.”
I crack a smile. “I’ll keep you in mind. I’ve only briefly met one of his friends, and he’s definitely taken.”
“Are you sure you’re not moving too fast?” Kendra asks me. “You haven’t even met this man’s friends. Girl, what are you doing?”
I offer a little smile and, in an uncharacteristic move, give her a quick hug. “Thanks for looking out for me. I appreciate it, but I’ll be okay.”
She pulls back, and her dark eyes meet mine. “You sure? Hot guys can be crazy, too.”
I nod. “Believe me, I know.”
“Well, we’re just a text away if you need us.”
In the car on the way to Silvan’s new apartment, I debate texting my mom, but I don’t know what to say. I need to let her know my address has changed, but I have no idea how to explain it.
It might be easier than I’m expecting. She’s made terrible choices for guys over the years, so maybe moving in with someone after a week and a half won’t seem that crazy to her. Or, if it does, at least a relatable kind of crazy and not the sort where she schedules an intervention.
Before I can talk myself into it, we pull up on the side road Hugh didn’t pull onto earlier where the front entry doors are.
When Hugh lets me out of the car, he hands me a key card like the one Silvan used to scan in earlier. “This is a very secure building, so you’ll need this to get in.”
“Thanks, Hugh.”
He nods, looking past me. “As I’m sure Master Silvan has already told you, each card is registered to its resident, so there will be a log of when you specifically come and go.”
My heart sinks, and my gaze darts to him. He’s still looking ahead at the door, his posture stiff and proper.
I recognize he probably wasn’t supposed to tell me that, so I offer a small smile. “Thanks, Hugh.”
My expression is grim as I scan my key card over the reader before opening the door.
I knew this place would come with strings.
I head for the elevators and get out on the top floor.
I go right and try to imagine coming home to this every day.
I feel like I should be here to clean or something, not to live.
I don’t have a key, so I almost knock on the door, but I decide to try turning the knob first.
It’s open.
I let myself inside and lock it behind me.
Silvan is standing at the counter in the dining area with a bottle of champagne, pouring it into two glasses.
I wonder if he knew I was here because Hugh told him, or because he gets some notification when I scan into the building.
He’s only wearing a pair of gray sweats, so his chest is bare. My gaze gets caught on his muscular arms and when he turns, a stray butterfly flutters through my stomach.
“Welcome home,” he says, handing me a glass.
It’s easy to forget his creepy, controlling tendencies when I’m looking at him.
“Thank you,” I say, reaching for the glass and taking a sip.
He nods toward the white marble table at his right, my left. “I got you a present.”
I look over and find a big white box with a gray silk bow on top. “You did?”
“Mm-hmm. A new home requires a new present. Plus, I didn’t want you to worry about unpacking tonight. You can do that tomorrow when you get home from school, or I’ll have Ilona come over and do it for you if you’d like.”
“That’s okay, I’d prefer to unpack my own things.” I put my champagne flute down on the table and take the lid off the box. Inside is a pair of blue pajamas made of the softest silk. I grab them and rub the fabric against my face, it’s so nice. “Oh, these are awesome.” I shoot him a playful look over my shoulder. “I thought you wanted me to sleep naked.”
“I do.” He smirks. “Those are for lounging around the apartment before bed and in the morning when you wake up. No curtains out here. Can’t have the birds checking out my girl’s ass every morning.”
I laugh because he’s so ridiculous.
He comes up behind me and rests my body against his, locking his arms around my waist. “I think you missed something.”