Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I stare at Nikolai, my eyes taking in his bare chest, the tattoos, and his tousled hair.
This is the kind of man I’ve always wanted. Everything about him is perfect.
And because I care for him, I won’t give him false hope. I’d never be that cruel.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever…” I hesitate before I force the words out, “be ready for a relationship.”
“I’m not asking for one,” he assures me. “I just want your friendship.”
To clarify, I say, “No friends with benefits.”
He nods. “You have complete control over our relationship.”
One of the most powerful men I know is giving me complete control.
I inhale deeply, his words acting as a soothing balm to my soul. They make me feel safe.
“Thank you.” I wrap my arms around him and press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for being patient with me.”
Nikolai lets out a chuckle. “You can reward me for my good behavior by joining me for breakfast.”
Pulling away, I smile at him. “Is feeding me a fetish you have?”
He shakes his head as he gets up. Walking to his closet, he says, “No, I just don’t like it when my woman starves.”
His woman.
Nikolai glances over his shoulder. “Are you okay with that? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“Okay with eating?” I ask.
“No. With me telling you how I feel and calling you mine?”
Be still, my swooning heart.
“Friends can love each other,” I say. “Right?”
A hot smirk curves his lips. “Of course.” He gestures to the door. “Go get ready for the day. I’ll wait for you outside your suite.”
“Yes, sir,” I chuckle, feeling so much better after the good night’s rest and knowing exactly what’s going on between Nikolai and me.
It’s one less problem to deal with, so I can use all my strength to process and heal from the rape.
It also feels good to know Nikolai supports me without knowing what happened. I feel safe with him because he doesn’t ask questions I can’t answer.
Walking to my suite, I quickly shower and change into clean cargo pants and a long-sleeve shirt. The clothes are a size too big for me, but that’s how I prefer them now.
When I step into the hallway and shut my door behind me, Nikolai’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
I might be broken, but I still think he’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen.
“Ready?” he asks as he pushes away from the wall.
I nod, and as we walk to the stairs, bitterness creeps into my heart. My rapist stole so much from me, and I hope he’s suffering endless torture in hell.
Just as we head down the stairs, Nikolai’s phone rings. As he pulls the device from his pocket, he says, “Go ahead and grab us a table. I won’t be long.”
I walk to the dining room and pick a table in the corner. I sit down and pull the menu closer.
“Damn, girl,” a random guy says.
My eyes dart up, and seeing one of the cartel members who’s training here, I quickly climb to my feet.
He waves a hand over me. “What’s with the clothes? You used to be a sight for sore eyes.”
My heartbeat speeds up until it’s hammering in my chest, and sweat beads over my skin. My mouth is dry as I say, “Leave me alone.”
The cartel member’s eyes drift over my body. The way he’s looking at me is creeping me out and making the demons crawl to the surface.
Suddenly the table flies away from me as Nikolai shoves it out of his way.
His expression is pure rage as he stalks past me. The cartel member doesn’t even have time to react before Nikolai’s fist slams into his face.
Jesus!
I scurry away from them, pressing my back to the wall while Nikolai grabs the guy by his shirt and beats the shit out of him.
Oh my God. Nikolai’s going to kill the guy.
Just as suddenly as the fight started, it ends. Nikolai lets go of the cartel member, and the guy falls to the floor, out cold from the beating he just received.
When Nikolai turns to look at me, his features cut from pure rage and danger, I instinctively cower back against the wall.
He takes a step toward me, then pauses. I watch as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. The dangerous vibe that tenses the air around me slowly fades away, and when he opens his eyes again, he’s calm.
He stalks toward me, wraps a hand around the back of my neck, and squashes me to his chest. “Are you okay?”
“Ah…” I let out a burst of incredulous laughter. “I should ask you that.”
Nikolai pulls back and frames my face, his eyes searching mine. “Are you okay, Abigail?”
I nod quickly, then whisper, “I think so.” My tongue darts out to wet my lips. “Why did you do that?”