Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“Hi,” she giggles, leaning in to hug me. “How are you?” Her body is soft against mine, and I inhale her sweet smell until she steps back.
“I’m good,” is my reply. “A week is far too long without you, sweetheart.” Then, I step to the side so she can come in, and close the door behind her.
“Oh really?” She glances at me over her shoulder, her plump, pink lips lifting in a coquettish smile. “I think so too.”
My grin is slow and knowing. “Have you been thinking about me?”
She blushes faintly and nods. “I’m not used to my clients taking up so much real estate in my brain, but I guess there’s a first time for everything!” she giggles.
My body stiffens from just those words. God, I want to have her now and it’s insane. Does she know how close I am to bending her over my knee? Or does she want me just as much, and is this her way of pushing me to my breaking point? I can’t be sure either way, but Simona has my full attention as she sashays into my living room.
“Your penthouse is beautiful,” she gushes, looking around with awe at the glass windows that open onto an expansive terrace. “I can’t believe you actually live here.”
“Why? Don’t you think it suits me?”
She laughs and rolls her eyes playfully. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“Then what do you mean?” I move to press a tender kiss to the side of her neck and she shivers deliciously. “Just heap your compliments on me.”
She looks up at the double height ceilings, and my stark, minimalist décor. I don’t have a lot of furniture—why would I? I’ve only been back home for a couple of weeks, but what I do have is arranged so that it looks elegant and tasteful. My space is Scandinavian in design, with bright white walls and neutral accents. Floor to ceiling windows add a lot of natural light to each room, and at night, I can watch the streets of New York light up like a Christmas tree.
“You’re like a prince presiding over his castle,” she giggles while I kiss her again. “This is your territory and we are your subjects.”
I grin at the remark and wrap my arms around the curvy girl from behind, losing myself in her scent. She smells sweet and floral with just a hint of spice, and it drives my senses insane. Her skin is warm and velvety, and she giggles as I trail my tongue down one side of her neck.
I’m not used to showering women with affection, to be honest. I’m not a cold guy either, but at the same time, I’m not Mr. Lovey-Dovey. But judging by my reaction to Simona, she’s already worked a sea change in my demeanor.
I nuzzle her neck and say, “Well, if this is my kingdom then that would make you my princess, wouldn’t it?”
The beautiful woman snorts and pulls away from me. “I’m about as princess-y as an elephant wearing ballet slippers.”
I detect an undertone of sorrow in her tone, but when she turns to me, her expression is light and teasing. I blink, confused. Was that moment of darkness just my imagination?
“Why don’t you give me the grand tour?” she suggests quickly. “You’ve got me all to yourself for the next few months, and if I’m going to be spending time here, I should see what my kingdom looks like.”
“Fair enough.” I take her hand and tug her into the chef’s kitchen, which is all white cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and a huge butcher’s block in the center. “I used to employ a chef before I went abroad,” I muse. “But when I came back, I decided to learn to cook. So now, I prepare meals for myself.”
“Oh yeah?” Her bright brown eyes flash with interest. “What’s your specialty?”
“I can make a mean curry,” I say. “Do you like spicy foods?”
“Yes!” Simona laughs. “I live for spice, in fact.”
“Well, we’ll have to see about that, won’t we?” I kiss the back of her hand and lead her out into the living room again, and then down the hall. There’s a room on the right and Simona gasps again at the decadence. Inside is a pool table, a ping pong table, a few large Barcaloungers, as well as a mini-bar with a dartboard. But then, the sweet girl’s eye is caught by a bookcase packed to the rafters with board games, making her gasp. “I haven’t seen Gonnect in years!”
I chuckle. “That used to be one of my favorites. Are you any good?”
She shakes her head, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “My parents liked to play it when it first came out, but in general, I suck at strategy. I’m not smart enough to think several moves ahead.”