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)
Jesus, the word ‘gun’ shouldn’t sound so hot on his lips.
“So you’re wearing a jacket because I’m here?” I turn around in his arms and lift my eyes to his.
At this moment, I feel like my old self – the girl who was never afraid to speak her mind. The woman who went after what she wanted.
Lifting my arms, I push the fabric off his shoulders. “I don’t mind seeing the gun. Take this off, so you look relaxed.”
Nikolai obeys and lays the fabric down on the counter before locking eyes with me again.
You can do this, Abbie. Flirting with Nikolai is safe.
And God, I missed it.
Giving the man of my dreams a seductive look, I say, “The only thing that will make my view better is if you roll up your sleeves.”
Nikolai chuckles as he shakes his head at me, then he gives me my wish. My eyes are glued to his hands and forearms as he pushes the fabric up.
“Much better,” I almost purr, loving the sight of the veins snaking beneath his skin.
Nikolai captures my eyes with his and stares at me for a long moment.
“Why are you staring?” I ask.
“I missed your flirtatious nature.”
I scrunch my nose. “I’m trying to reconnect with my old self.”
His tone is soft and intimate when he says, “I’m proud of you, moya lyubov'.”
I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.
Being honest, I admit, “It’s all because of you.” I lift my hand to his jaw. “Everything feels natural with you.”
His mouth curves into the beautiful smile I love. “That makes me very happy.”
Pulling away from me, he pours two glasses of wine and hands me one. Taking the plate of steaks, he walks toward the open French doors. “Are you joining me outside?”
“Of course.”
Nikolai pauses, then points at my feet. “Take off the heels, baby. I want you to be relaxed.”
I kick them off by the doors and step out onto the veranda where the fire pit is. Taking a seat on a comfortable lounge chair, I watch as he checks whether the grill is ready.
“Tell me more about your life,” he says while he places the steaks on the grill.
“My life is actually quite boring,” I chuckle. “I attended a boarding school. After that, I got locked up for two years for sneaking out of the house. Then I was sent to St. Monarch’s.”
Nikolai flips the steaks before staring at me, anger burning in his eyes. “You were locked up?”
“Aurora and I snuck out to go to a nightclub. The place was bombed, and we got hurt.” I let out a disgruntled sigh. “Honestly, I think my father was more upset I disobeyed him than the fact that I got hurt.”
Saying it out loud makes me realize how alone I’ve been for the majority of my life. If it weren’t for Aurora, I don’t know how I would’ve survived.
There’s a dark frown on Nikolai’s face. “Your father was responsible for the bombing. He was targeting Misha and his friends.”
What?
Shock shudders through me, my mind racing to process the information.
Nikolai’s expression softens. “You didn’t know.”
I shake my head. “No.”
Surely it should hurt more than it does, finding out that my own father almost killed me?
But I’m not that surprised. I always knew he’d sacrifice me in a heartbeat for his own gain.
“I’m sorry, moya lyubov'.” There’s compassion softening his eyes. “I can’t imagine what it must be like for you not to be able to depend on your parents.”
I shrug it off as if it’s nothing, something I’m used to doing all my life. “It is what it is.” I force a smile to my face. “Well, there you have it. My life in a nutshell.”
Clearly unhappy with it, Nikolai argues, “That can’t be your entire life.”
I shrug again. “Sadly, it is. My parents weren’t involved in my upbringing, that’s why I’m so close with Aurora.”
“What are your plans after you’re done with your training?”
I let out a sigh as I stare at the scenic nature at the side of the cabin. “My father wants me to take over the business.” A bitter chuckle escapes me. “There’s probably an arranged marriage waiting for me.”
When I turn my eyes back to Nikolai, it’s to see pure rage on his face. “Over my dead body, will you marry another man.”
Yeah, I didn’t think this through. My father will kill me if he finds out about Nikolai and me.
Then again, do I really care what my father thinks?
“You know how our world works, Nikolai. I don’t get to choose my husband.”
“You have a choice,” he mutters, barely controlling the sharp tone of his voice.
“What choice?”
“You have me.” Nikolai takes the steaks off the grill, then comes to crouch next to me. “You don’t have to do a single thing your father demands of you.”