Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
I do love him, but I haven’t told him. I don’t think I can right now. I feel vulnerable enough as it is. I want this to work, so I’ve given up trying to fight it. Victor is offering me something I’ve wanted since the first moment I saw him. That said, I’m petrified that I may be too broken for it to work, so I’m not going to tell him I love him. That way if this blows up in my face, I won’t look so pathetic. God, that’s lame reasoning. I’m such a coward. It’s a wonder the stink of fear that is deep within me doesn’t choke me to death.
“Kiss me,” I tell him, and I admit to myself that I’m asking him to kiss me, just so I don’t blab how much I do love him—how I’ve always loved him.
He does, but this kiss is different. He starts at my forehead, kissing me there. His lips glide along my skin and he kisses my cheekbone, my chin, and then moves back to my cheek. From there his lips continue a previously unidentified heated path to my ear. He sucks the lobe into his mouth. I hear this sexy little growl, and my entire body shivers in reaction as goosebumps rise on my flesh. His tongue slides along the shell of my ear and I whimper from all of the feelings that hit me.
“So fucking sweet,” he groans.
“Victor…”
His name is but a breath of air that trembles out of my lips as his head drops down and he kisses along my neck, his teeth grazing the soft flesh. He sucks at my skin and my hips lift from the bed as my fingers tangle in the sheet beneath me. Until this moment, I didn’t realize that I had laid on my back.
The muscles tighten in my abdomen as his hand pulls up my shirt. His touch is filled with heat. It brands my skin. My teeth sink into my lower lip as I try to breathe through all the sensations bombarding me.
“Look at me, Gia,” he orders, and I realize I’ve closed my eyes. I force them to open. My entire body feels as if it’s on fire. I look at him, his gaze is trained on me. His eyes are bottomless, inky pools of darkness and I lose myself in them. “You don’t have to, I swear I won’t be upset, but I want you to lift your shirt so I can see your breasts.”
My heart stutters.
“I…”
“It’s up to you, sweetheart. I just want to make you feel good. That’s it. You’re the one in control, I promise. You tell me to quit, and I quit. We can always try this another way.”
God, I want to tell him yes. I trust Victor. Everything he’s doing feels good. Why in the hell can’t I say yes? Why is this so hard? I feel tears stinging my eyes. I don’t mean to, but I shake my head frantically, denying both of us what we want. I shut my eyes tight. The last thing I want to see is Victor’s disappointment.
“I’m sorry,” I cry. “I’m so sorry.” I can’t quit trembling, the tears come faster now. I feel. like I’m falling apart. “Please don’t be mad, Victor. Please. I knew this wouldn’t work. I knew it. You need someone who is normal…”
My cries turn into sobs. I lose myself in my misery. I’ve ruined everything. I knew I would. I’m so stupid for even trying…
victorio
. . .
She’s killing me. The pain in her voice is delivering death blow after death blow. I put my hands on each side of her face, applying just enough pressure to make sure she’s forced to look at me. “Look at me, Kitten,” I demand.
Her hands come up to hold my wrists. She’s gasping for breath. Each exhale sounds painful and rocks her body. “Vi-Vi-Victor, I—”
“Shh. Stop worrying. Sweetheart, look at me. This isn’t all or nothing. We have all the time in the world. I’m here with you Angelina. I’m right here and I promise you that I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
“You d-d-des-deserve more,” she stumbles out, trying to get control of her tears.
“You don’t get it,” I tell her, praying that she hears me, finally understands. “I don’t want anyone but you, Gia. I’m not a young kid. I’ve not been a saint. I know without a shadow of a doubt when I look at you, it’s you or no one for me.”
“Y-You can’t say that.”
“I most certainly can, and I do. You’re all I want.”
“I want you t-too. I pr-promise. It’s just that the thought of you seeing my…my…” She stops talking, shaking her head. “I have s-sc-scars. The thought of you seeing them terrifies me,” she says, finally getting control of her crying for the most part.