Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
She worked at not reacting, but at listening and hearing what he said. “It’s vigilante justice, Andrii.”
“I’m aware.”
He didn’t apologize for what he did. He expected her to understand that the women and children he saved were worth what he had to do to rescue them. Had someone known about Quentin and his proclivities outside his marriage and the fact that he relied on Janine’s money to stay afloat, her sister, niece and nephew might still be alive.
“I need to give this more thought. I don’t like it, Andrii. I don’t understand what drives you.” But she did. She had followed the sound of the woman screaming in pain below the clubs, and she would have done anything to save her. If she’d owned a gun, she would have shot Quentin to protect her family. That was her nature. Despite her reluctance to make decisions, she would have been utterly decisive about emptying a gun into her brother-in-law if she had found out his plan. She would have done so before he pulled out a gun to shoot her sister.
It occurred to her that Andrii was hunting Billows. The thought had been growing in the back of her mind for some time. If that was the case, that meant Billows was into some extremely nefarious activities, worse than what she’d imagined. It also meant Andrii was using her to get to Billows.
“Your mind is working overtime. Share.” He murmured it, his breath warm against the nape of her neck.
It was difficult to think straight when he was moving his lips against her skin, sending little sparks of electricity dancing through her. She detested that she was so susceptible to him. Especially now, when she worried that he was using her to get to Billows and it was probable that nothing was real about his interest in her.
Why would he be interested? She saw the way other women looked at him. He could have anyone he wanted. She came with enough baggage for ten people. It was all beginning to make sense now.
“I have to think this through.”
“Think out loud.”
That was a command uttered in that same low tone he used so often, but one he meant. Her gaze jumped to his face.
“Okay then, but I’m going to reiterate I’m uncomfortable sitting in your lap with you kissing my neck while I’m trying to figure out what’s really going on here.” She didn’t attempt to move but stated her preference.
“I get that, baby, but I think you need a little extra care and reassurance right now. This talk is far from over, and we need to get past a lot of hard issues.”
He sounded so sweet. As if what she thought and felt mattered to him. She was reluctant to tell him what she was thinking for two reasons. If she was correct, she would be shattered. If she was incorrect, it might hurt him.
“Azelie.”
Just her name but a clear prompt to get her talking. She sighed. “It has occurred to me that you started a relationship with me because I work for Billows, not because you were interested in me.”
Her stomach knotted in anticipation of his response. She knew the answer. She absolutely did.
Andrii’s fingers were firm on the nape of her neck, attempting to ease the tension out of her. He felt strong and safe when she knew better. She’d been such a complete idiot. She’d wanted to believe the fantasy, and she should have known better.
“Does it matter how you caught my interest when I ended up falling right off the cliff? You’re an astute, very intelligent woman. You have good instincts. What are those instincts telling you?”
“That I caught your interest because I work for Billows, and you’re very interested in him. That’s the reason you’re here with me now.”
“That’s hurt talking. Self-preservation. It isn’t what you know in your heart. Tell me the time we’ve spent together isn’t real for you. I’ll think you’re lying to us both, but you can say it if you really believe it.”
She parted her lips to respond, but he had already caught her chin and tilted her face up to his. His mouth came down on hers. It was a claiming. A branding. Not sweet and gentle, but a takeover. He demanded complete surrender. When he kissed her, her brain short-circuited. All thought vanished and there was only feeling. Pure feeling. Fire coursing through her. Need building rapidly. She was drowning in him. Immersing herself. Going over that cliff without looking first.
She found herself clinging to his shoulders, chasing his mouth when he lifted his head. He didn’t go far, just pressed his forehead to hers while looking her straight in the eye.
“Did that feel fake?” He took one hand and curled her palm around the thick, heavy erection he didn’t try to hide. “Does that feel fake?” He brushed soft kisses down her cheek to her jaw. “When I tell you things I’ve never told anyone, does it feel fake to you? Do you think I’m making it up for sympathy? Or to impress you? Just to get at your boss? Do you really believe that of me, Zelie? That I’m playing you?”