Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Who was he?” I ask my own questions instead.
“He was trained well, so I’m guessing an assassin.”
I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. I have no idea what these four men do here in the giant lodge. They said they’re retired but never said what they are retired from. All I know is that they’ve been nothing but nice to us since we got here. I'm pretty sure Clover is in love with Charles. She isn’t only my friend, but my assistant, too. By the looks of it, I don’t think she has plans of ever leaving here now. I can’t say that I blame her. I’m happy for her. She needs to slow down. We all do.
Being Aurora Davenport is definitely starting to wear me down, and I’ve only been at this for five years. Being a pop sensation was not originally in the cards for me. But then a few of my videos went viral. I never would have thought that my singing would bring me this level of success. I don’t want for anything anymore, besides privacy.
“Do you think it was an assassin for one of you guys or me?”
His eyes roam down my body and then back up.
“You.”
I drop my head and stare at my feet. Diego insisted I needed socks, so now I’m wearing two pairs of his, and I’m still in the shirt I snagged from his closet. I’ve been making myself right at home in his room. He never tells me to get lost, but then again he’d have to actually talk to me in order to do that.
Socks aside, someone is trying to kill me. And I know exactly who it is. “I never thought he'd go this crazy. I can’t believe he would hire someone to kill me because I wouldn't go out with him! The whole thing has been insane.”
“I would.”
My head jerks up.
“If you were mine, I’d kill anyone that got in my way to get to you. Are you scared now, my krasota?”
Something clicks in my brain at his question. Maybe he’s the one that’s actually scared. He’s been keeping me at arm’s length the entire time I’ve been here. But he’s also kept a close watch over me. So maybe he’s interested, but worried, too?
Does he think that I’m going to hurt him? That in a few days I would up and leave? That was likely true. We’d only planned for this to be a short escape for us. When we get back to the city, we’re supposed to start recording a new album, and I have no doubt a tour will follow. A few years ago, the thought of traveling and touring excited me. Not so much anymore. The thought actually fills me with dread. I know I should be grateful for everything I have, but I can’t help but dream what it would be like to live a normal life again.
“Are you scared of me?” I ask him the same question. I don’t think I’m going to get an answer, but he surprises me.
“Terrified.” With that, he stomps out of his room and leaves me alone. I follow after him. I don’t make it two steps out the door before I’m being lifted. Diego picks me up by my hips and puts me back into his bedroom. “Put pants on, or you don’t leave the room.”
“Why? Would you get jealous if I walked around like this?” I tease him. It doesn't work. His face gets even stonier. I huff out a breath and find my pants from the other day. I put them on as he looks everywhere but at me.
Life has opened so many doors for me. Things that people only dream about happening. Usually anything I want is dropped right into my hands.
Except Diego. I want him, and he's running scared. But I’m not a quitter, and I’m not going to let him get away. I have a few scars myself that I know without a doubt he could help me heal.
I have a new ‘mission,’ as Clover likes to call it when it’s time for a game plan. This time the plan is to break down Diego’s walls. He doesn't have to take them all down. I just need to chip away at them until there’s enough room for me to slip in there with him.
2
DIEGO
She finally gets her pants on. I’ve only been trying to convince her to wear them from the moment she took them off. Why does she insist on teasing me? Of course I look at her long legs and hold my breath for a glimpse at her panties. They’re pink with white stripes, and they look so, so soft. But nowhere near as soft as her skin, or the waves in her hair.
She’s a beautiful princess, and I’m the ogre keeping an eye on her. The sooner this is over with the better. Because smelling her cherry scent and looking at her big, innocent eyes and listening to her angelic voice is breaking my mind.