Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 170885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
“Who are you texting?” he asks after he swallows.
“Not texting. Reading the news.”
“Why?”
“Because I like to stay informed about what’s happening in the world.”
“But what’s the point?”
“Seriously? You don’t care?”
“Would it change something if I did?”
“Doing something is better than doing nothing.”
“Is that why you participate in all that volunteer work?”
“Yeah. I was born into a life of privilege and I try to help those who weren’t as lucky.”
“Hmm. What about lacrosse? Why do you play it?”
I put my phone down and take a sip of my tea. “I’m good at it.”
“And that’s enough reason to play it?”
“I suppose.”
“I used to play football in high school, but I didn’t only do it because I was good at it. I loved the adrenaline.”
“American football, I presume.”
“The only football.”
“The only football is the one kicked by an actual foot and is the most popular sport in the world.”
He shrugs. “You mean soccer?”
“Don’t call it that in my presence. Disgusting.”
He chuckles, the sound echoing around us with rare ease, and I can’t resist smiling.
I woke up this morning thinking my life would be flipped upside down because I missed the most important part of my routine, but it’s not as apocalyptic as I thought it’d be.
If anything, I like the easy conversation we have.
“Seriously, though. Do you really like lacrosse?” he insists.
“I wouldn’t play it if I didn’t.”
Though the actual reason is that it’s the only sport Lan didn’t play. We used to play polo together when we were growing up, but I distanced myself from that and him as soon as I hit puberty.
I needed to play something he had no interest in. Football, cricket, and my beloved polo were out. Rugby is too physical for my taste. So that left me with lacrosse.
But I don’t say that out loud. I can’t have Nikolai sensing my inferiority complex and thinking I’m less perfect.
He’s watching me with those intense eyes and I don’t like it. I need to change the subject so the focus is on him.
“Hey, Nikolai.”
“Yeah?”
“If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you go?”
“Inside you, baby.”
I nearly choke on my tea. “I’m serious.”
“I’m also serious. I take Kolya’s demands to heart, thank you very much.”
Lifting the cup to my mouth, I pause before I take a sip. “You said you always top. Did you ever consider bottoming?”
“Why?” He raises a brow. “You want to fuck me?”
I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks and I gulp the tea trapped in my mouth. “That’s not what I meant. I was just asking.”
“I don’t like it, but I’d let you if you wanted to try it out.”
“But you just said you don’t like it.”
“I’d rather let you fuck me than you running off to experiment with someone else.”
My lips part. Wow. He’d really go that far for me?
I don’t think about it as I stand up, close the distance between us, and stop between his parted thighs. My fingers sneak beneath his jaw and I look down at his beautiful eyes. “I don’t want to fuck you. But thank you for offering. Really.”
His hands land on my hips. “Tell me if you feel like it. Don’t suppress it just because you know I’m not a fan.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I really prefer being fucked by you. I like the feeling of…uh, letting go and losing control.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
He tugs me forward and I release a startled noise when I land on his lap. My hands grab his shoulders for balance. “What are you doing?”
“I lied. I don’t only want a morning kiss.” His lips ghost over mine. “I need a morning fuck as well.”
This man will fucking destroy me.
I just hope I don’t destroy him in the process.
25
NIKOLAI
Not to be a stalker, but I kind of ended up at the grocery store Bran frequents.
What? It’s his fault that I miss him as soon as we’re apart.
It’s the afternoon and guess what? He’s coming over to the penthouse this early. It’s been about a week since he agreed to stay overnight, and I’ve been the happiest fucking man alive.
Not that I’m still thinking about that night and morning or anything.
Anyway, the reason I’m outside this local organic grocery store is because of a conversation I had with him about half an hour ago. When I was in class.
Bran
What are you in the mood for tonight?
Me
What kind of question is that? I’m always in the mood to do dirty things to you, baby.
I meant food. FOOD.
You mean aside from your cum?
Jesus. Yeah, aside from that.
I’m happy with anything you cook.
You sure? If you fancy something to eat, tell me. I’ll go grocery shopping in a bit.
Nah. I love anything you cook. Do what you want. Also, you’re getting groceries right now? It’s the afternoon.
I finished classes early, so I’m heading to the penthouse.