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 pay the outstanding amount, and taking my future wife’s hand, I lead her out of the store.
“Oh my God, Nikolai. Look!” I’m yanked across the road to where a petting zoo has been erected in the middle of town. “It’s a llama.” Without any fear, Abigail rubs the animal’s head.
“Careful,” I warn her.
“Aww…he’s smiling at me,” she coos.
“Llamas, don’t smile,” I grumble, the pungent smell of all the shit getting to me.
“I want one,” she demands.
“Hell no. They spit.”
“You won’t spit at me, Right?” she talks to the animal while scratching behind one of his ears.
Again I’m yanked as Abigail darts to the next pen. “Aww, aren’t they cute?”
“They’re pigs,” I state the obvious.
“Pot-belly pigs,” she corrects me as she lets go of my hand to crouch down. “Aren’t you an adorable little piggy.”
I can’t help but smile at the sight of Abigail petting a pig.
“I want one. I can name him Bacon.”
My smile drops from my face, and I shake my head. “You’re not serious.”
She gives me a mischievous smile before she heads for the enclosure holding bunnies.
Dear God. She’s going to make me look at all the animals.
Abigail frowns at me, then asks, “Don’t you like animals?”
“Not when they smell like shit.”
Her frown deepens. “Oooh, I don’t know if I can marry a man who doesn’t like animals.”
“I love them.” I wave a hand over the petting zoo. “You can take them all.”
She lets out a burst of laughter before grabbing hold of my hand again. “I’m just playing with you. Let’s go look at engagement rings.”
“And a wedding band,” I add.
I plan on marrying her as soon as possible. It will have to be this coming weekend because Aurora and Misha are getting married the week after.
A wide smile spreads over my face, which catches Abigail’s attention.
“What’s that smile for?”
“Nothing,” I chuckle as I lead her to the jewelry store.
When we enter, Abigail says, “I don’t want something big. I like a dainty ring.”
“How can we help?” a male attendant asks.
“We want to see your most expensive, dainty engagement and wedding rings,” I answer, never in my life thinking I’d use the word ‘dainty.’
He guides us to his desk and gestures for us to take a seat. “Does the lady have anything specific in mind? White gold? Yellow gold? Platinum?”
“Ah, I don’t know.” Abigail looks at me. “You’re the expert.”
“Let’s see all of them,” I answer the man. Locking eyes with Abigail, I ask, “Do you have a favorite stone?”
“Isn’t it obvious,” she grins. “I’m marrying the king of diamonds.”
Damn, I like the sound of that.
I let out a chuckle, and when the man returns with a selection of rings, Abigail tries them on.
Lifting my hand, I tuck some hair behind her ear before resting my hand possessively on the back of her neck. My thumb brushes over her soft skin, which makes her smile grow.
“What do you think of this one?” she asks as she holds her left hand up.
An average size diamond is set in rose gold, with three tiny stones on either side of the main one shimmering like stars. I would’ve preferred something bigger, but Abigail made it clear she wants something on the smaller side.
I take hold of her hand, bringing it closer to inspect the stones. There’s almost no color which tells me they’re the real thing and fall on the rarer side.
“I like it,” I give my approval.
“I want this one.” Abigail’s smile is so beautiful it steals my breath.
We continue to search for the perfect wedding band to match the engagement ring, and once my bride-to-be is happy with her choices, she says, “Your turn. We might as well get your wedding band while we’re here.”
I didn’t even think about myself. It only takes me a couple of minutes before I select a plain platinum band. No frills, no fuss.
I settle the bill, and the shop assistant promises the rings will be ready for collection the day after tomorrow.
As we leave the store with my men flanking us, I hand Abigail my black credit card. “Use this for anything you need.”
“Oh wow, you’re really brave,” she chuckles. She pushes up on her toes to press a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you, my love.”
I grin like a love-sick idiot, willing to give her everything I have to my name.
Yeah, this woman has me wrapped around her little finger, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Chapter 42
Abbie
I’m so glad I know Aurora’s number off by heart. Using my brand new phone, I listen as the line connects.
“Aurora speaking,” she answers, her tone uncertain.
“It’s me. Abbie.”
“Oh, my God! Are you okay?” Aurora shrieks, worry thick in her words.
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner. I left everything I had at my parents' house,” I tell her. “Things were a little crazy.”