Total pages in book: 262
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 268603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1343(@200wpm)___ 1074(@250wpm)___ 895(@300wpm)
Grey, stop. Stop.
I need to get a handle on my morbid thoughts.
Concentrate, Grey. Focus on where you want to be.
With Ana.
I want to give her the world.
I turn back to my screen, to my vows, and start to type.
Ana looks up when I enter the library, and gives me a sweet but tired smile. She’s been reading a manuscript.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” she answers, as I sit down in the armchair beside her and open my arms. She doesn’t hesitate; she uncurls her long legs from beneath her and hops over to me, complete with manuscript, and crawls into my lap. Wrapping her in my arms, I kiss the top of her head and breathe in her scent. She is heaven on earth.
Ana lets out a soft, contented sigh.
She’s so good to hold.
A balm to my senses.
My Ana.
We sit in a comfortable, companionable silence. I could never have imagined doing this even three months ago. No. Two months ago. I’m changed beyond recognition. The residue of doubt and fear I felt earlier melts away. She’s safe, in my arms.
And I’m safe…with her.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The senior management meeting has gone well; everybody is up to speed on what each division is doing, and what steps need to be taken next. I’m leaving my company in safe hands—but then, I never doubted that for a moment. However, if I’m honest, it still makes me anxious. This is the first time I’ve taken a vacation for more than a few days. As everyone leaves the boardroom, they shake my hand and wish me well. “I’ll be here tomorrow,” I remind Marco.
“Christian, you deserve a break,” he says. “Enjoy your honeymoon.”
“Thank you.”
Blowing out a breath, I scrape a hand through my hair. Why the hell am I so apprehensive? Ros sidles up to me when everyone else has left. “The house. It’s yours.”
“It’s done?”
“Signed and sealed.”
“Great. Thanks for orchestrating. Keys?”
“They are being biked over.”
“I’ll give them to my brother. He’s going to oversee the renovation.”
Her eyes widen. “Renovating, too? You have a great deal on your plate, Christian. I think it’s about time you took a vacation.”
“You know, I’m ready and looking forward to it.”
“Where will you go?”
“I took your advice. Europe.”
She brightens. “Gwen and I are really looking forward to Saturday.”
“I’ll be glad when it’s over.” I give her a tight smile.
“Christian!” She looks taken aback. “You’ve got to enjoy the day!”
“I want Ana to enjoy the day.”
Ros’s stance softens immediately. “You have got it bad.”
I laugh, because she’s never made such a personal comment before. “Guilty as charged.”
She grins, her eyes warming. It’s a good look on her.
“I’ll certainly enjoy my honeymoon knowing that you’re heading this place up and keeping the GEH wheels turning.”
Her grin broadens. “Don’t look so anxious. You’ll be in Europe, not on Mars. If I need you, I’ll call.”
“Thanks, Ros.”
“Now, excuse me while I get on with today’s business.” I step aside and she struts past me. And in that moment, I’m so grateful she’s on my team.
“Christian, you’re like a caged lion. What is it?” Flynn asks. He’s sitting in his chair, regarding me with his usual professional detachment, while I pace up and down his office, treading a path into the thick pile of his rug. I come to a halt at his question and glance through the window to see Taylor waiting by the car. He’s watching the street from behind mirrored aviators.
“Nerves?” I hazard a guess, and returning to the couch, I slump into it.
“That’s a reasonable reaction to the fact that you’re getting married in a couple of days.”
“Is it?”
“Of course it is. It’s perfectly natural to be nervous. You are publicly going to declare how much Anastasia means to you. It’s all getting real.”
Yes. It is.
“But it’s just taken so long to get to this point and at the last minute we forgot the rings.” I throw my hands up in frustration. “What does that say about us?”
“That you’re both busy people?” he offers, his tone mollifying.
But his observation doesn’t appease me. “Everyone keeps telling me to enjoy myself.” My brows knit together.
Flynn looks pensive but remains mute, waiting for me to elucidate.
“I just want it done!”
“Do you? Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
What! I glare at him as if he’s sprouted an additional head. “The wedding? Of course I do!”
“I thought so.”
“Then why ask me if I have doubts?” I snap.
“Christian, I’m trying to unpack the source of your restlessness.”
“I just want it over.” I fire the words at him, exasperated. But Flynn says nothing and continues to observe me with a calm and measured expression while I wait for him to offer up some insight. When he doesn’t, I know he’s testing me.
Damn.
“It’s taken so long. I’m not a patient man,” I mutter.
“It’s been a few weeks, it’s not that long.”