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’m sure she is.
Feeling a little better, I walk toward the woods and follow the path to my house.
I walk to the back so I can enter via the den, and when Abigail comes into view, her easel facing the trees, I see a soft smile playing around her lips.
I pause to stare at the vision and feel a moment of peace because she looks happy.
This is where Abigail belongs – on this island where she can paint to her heart’s delight.
Come hell or high water, she will marry me and not some random fucker her pathetic father chooses for her.
For Abigail, I will go to war against Emilio Sartori.
When I walk closer and enter the den, Abigail’s smile widens. “Hey.”
I shrug off my jacket and ask, “How’s the painting coming along?”
She scrunches her nose. “Slowly.”
At least she’s painting.
I move to stand behind her and look at the canvas. “Are you painting the trees?”
“Yeah.” She sets the palette and paintbrush down, then stands up. “What time is the barbecue? Should I make a salad?”
“It’s at two pm.” Taking her hand, I tug her closer to me. “Don’t worry about the salad. My grandmother will take care of everything.”
“I’m nervous,” she admits.
“My family already loves you,” I assure her.
As I brush a wisp of hair from her face, she asks, “Can we watch a movie, or do you have work to do?”
“I can do both at the same time.”
“I just want to snuggle next to you,” she admits.
We walk to the living room, and I gesture for Abigail to sit.
“So the whole family lives on this island?” she asks as she makes herself comfortable.
Today she’s wearing a dress, and even though it reaches her feet, her cleavage is on full display, and it’s clear she’s not wearing a bra.
Was she hiding her body beneath the oversized clothes while at St. Monarch’s?
I missed the self-assured woman who couldn’t give two fucks about what people thought of her, and I’m glad to see she’s slowly coming back.
I grab the TV remote and take a seat beside her. “Yes, it’s for safety reasons, but I love having my family nearby.”
“I’d die if I was stuck on an island with my family,” she chuckles.
I switch on the TV, then ask, “What do you want to watch.”
Abigail grins at me. “John Wick.”
“Hmm,” I grumble. “Do I have competition?”
“Oh, definitely,” she laughs. “I’m sorry to say, but no one beats Keanu Reeves.”
Smiling, I lean back, resting my arm on the back of the couch. “Is that where your love for old men started?”
“Old men. Pfft,” she scoffs. “Age is just a number.” She snuggles against my side. “I like my men mature. I’ve never been interested in boys my age.”
I select John Wick and press play.
Abigail pulls her legs up, resting them against my thigh. Letting out a sigh, she whispers, “This is nice.”
I move my arm from the couch and wrap it around her.
This is perfect.
Chapter 32
Abbie
Instead of focusing on John Wick kicking ass, I’m highly aware of Nikolai.
So I obviously lied. There is one man who outshines Keanu.
I place my hand on Nikolai’s abs, taking in the feel of his solid body.
Since yesterday, my stomach has been buzzing with anticipation. Being alone with Nikolai allows me to focus solely on him.
Honestly, I hardly think about the rape, and it makes me wonder whether I’m ready to take the next step with Nikolai.
If I don’t try, I’ll never know.
Moving my cheek away from his chest, I look at him. His eyes leave the TV to lock on mine, and there’s an instant electric current between us.
Nikolai is safe. When we had sex, it was mindblowing.
I know this man.
I want to intimately connect with him.
I need this.
Leaning closer, I brush my lips against his before pulling back.
The corner of his mouth lifts, his eyes softening on me.
I have complete control.
I close the distance again, initiating a tender kiss. Moving onto his lap, I pull my dress up so I can straddle him. Not breaking the kiss, I take hold of his hands and push his arms up, so they’re resting on the back of the couch.
“Don’t move,” I whisper against his lips.
“Okay,” he obeys, his fingers digging into the leather.
Lowering my mouth to his throat, I suck on his skin while unbuttoning his shirt. I shove the fabric open, revealing his flawless muscled chest.
My lips kiss their way to his tattoos as I tentatively push my core down on his hard-on. The feel of him hard and ready beneath me is nothing short of glorious.
So far, so good.
Moving off his lap, I reach beneath the fabric of my dress and pull my panties down my legs. I drop the lace on the floor before climbing back on top of Nikolai.
His eyes turn ravenous as if he’s starving for any touch he can get from me.