Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
She seems to think about what I just said, then cautiously admits, “I don’t do well with conflict.”
“You seem to be holding your own when it comes to me,” I remark because it’s taken a lot of intimidation for her to submit. Well, more than I usually use on my family.
Tess wets her lips again, and it looks like she wants to say something but then decides against it.
“Say it,” I encourage her, not wanting her to hold back.
She shakes her head then takes a deep breath, asking another question instead, “Just so we’re clear, I can continue with my normal routine?”
“Just be vigilant when you’re out in public and stick with your guards.”
“And at…” she scrunches her nose in a cute way, “home? What about my apartment? My belongings?”
Shrugging, I cross my legs at the ankles and lean back against the counter. “Bring your stuff over, and what you do with your apartment is up to you.”
“So I can keep it?”
“Of course.”
“And scatter my stuff all over your place?”
It doesn’t escape my attention that this is the longest we’ve had a normal conversation.
“The penthouse is your home, now. As long as I don’t trip over your belongings and the place remains neat, you can add whatever you want.”
Our eyes lock, and when the air begins to heat up between us, Tess raises her eyebrows, letting out a slow breath. “Wow, we’re really doing this.”
“We are.” Pushing away from the counter, I close the distance between us and lift my hands to frame her face. “Do you have any more questions?”
Her gaze jumps over my features. “Not right now.”
“Good,” I grumble. I take her mouth, devouring every delectable inch.
Chapter 28
Tess
The past two weeks have been… pleasant, dare I say.
Nikolas hasn’t bitten my head off. Well, the only biting he’s been doing is when we’re naked. The man has one hell of a sexual appetite, but I’m getting used to keeping up with him.
Even though it feels ridiculous going to school with an entourage of guards, I tolerate them because the last thing I want is to end up dead in a ditch. Nikolas doesn’t talk much about work, and I don’t ask questions, not wanting to know about the dark side of the mafia.
I haven’t told Annette or Jake I got married. I don’t know why. But until they notice the ring on my finger, I’m not saying a word.
If I’m honest, it’s because it still feels surreal.
Me living with Nikolas. Him coming home to me. Us having dinner together, sharing a bed.
It’s all starting to grow on me, though, and it’s slowly chipping away at the anger I felt.
God, who would’ve thought Nikolas would actually grow on me?
Sometimes it all feels insane, but then there are times where it feels natural as if this is the way things were meant to be.
Like I said, it’s weird.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, my gaze drifts over the chiffon dress. The light pink fabric bunches around my shoulders then takes the form of a pencil dress, stopping beneath my knees. I’m wearing black heels, a black obsidian necklace, and earrings to round off the look, and my hair’s pinned up in a messy bun.
The corners of my mouth lift. “Not bad, Tess.”
“Not bad at all,” Nikolas suddenly murmurs behind me.
My eyes find him in the mirror, and I watch as he stops at my back, his hands settling on my hips. With his gaze locked on mine, he leans down and presses a kiss to my bare shoulder. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, caught off guard by how intimate the moment feels.
The way Nikolas looks at me… there’s so much intensity as if I’m actually precious to him. It builds up my self-confidence, which took one hell of a beating during my first seventeen years of life.
A breath trembles over my lips, the moment tugging at my heart. It makes me feel vulnerable and has me whispering, “Don’t look at me like that if you don’t mean it.”
I’m tugged back, his chest pressing against my shoulder blades. He takes a deep breath of my hair, then says, “Theresa, I never do anything I don’t mean.”
God.
My heart clenches, and a kaleidoscope of butterflies erupts in my stomach. My breath hitches, and panic slithers through me.
What will this man do if I fall in love with him? Will he use it to control me? Will he break my heart?
With the questions swirling in my mind, I pick up my black clutch and force a smile onto my face. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Are you?” he asks, his words carrying a double meaning.
“For Athina’s birthday party,” I add.
Slowly, Nikolas nods, then he steps back so I can leave the walk-in closet.
Well, that was unexpectedly intense.
When we step into the elevator, Nikolas comes to stand slightly behind me, his chest touching my arm. I glance up at him from over my shoulder. When his eyes flick to me, I quickly look in front of me. The moment the doors slide open again, he smacks my ass. “After you, kardiá mou.”