Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Another tear spilled over, scouring my cheek in a cathartic burn as I released some of the pain that I’d carried deep inside me for years.
“Thank you for saying that.” My voice was thick with emotion, and I leaned into his hand for comfort.
His jaw firmed. “I’m saying it because it’s true. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way, Evelyn. You deserve to be cherished.”
I closed my eyes briefly, allowing the quiet tears to fall as I released the weight of my burdens. I still wasn’t ready to fully believe what he was saying, but the act of confessing my darkest secrets provided relief I hadn’t known I needed. I’d carried this terrible secret for so long that I hadn’t realized how heavily it laid on my soul.
I met his gaze and found that his pale blue eyes were full of storm clouds. His righteous anger on my behalf bolstered my strength, and I drew in a calming breath.
“My stepfather made me feel like I owed him for everything he provided for me.” I finished my explanation. “I had to behave because he gave me a place to live and food to eat. I couldn’t complain because he sent me to private school. So, I never acted out. Until I went to college, and I chose to study Photography instead of pursuing an Accounting degree. My mother railed at me about it. She said I’d never amount to anything, and I wouldn’t be able to take care of them in their old age if I was a poor artist. I stood by my decision, defying them for the first time in my life. They cut me off. Financially, my stepfather paid for the rest of my college education—probably for appearances. But they don’t speak to me anymore. I haven’t heard from them in six years.”
Massimo shook his head, and his voice was tight with anger when he said, “How could anyone reject you, dolcezza?” He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. “They never deserved you.”
I released a shaky exhale, and my tears stopped falling. “Thank you.”
“For what? For treating you the way you should be treated? Never thank me for that, Evelyn. It’s my job to take care of you. Let me.”
I nodded, choosing to place my trust in him. I was only starting to truly understand Massimo, but deep in my bones, I knew I could trust him. My dark protector would never hurt me.
He kissed my forehead again. “Good girl.”
He reached for the necklace, retrieving it from the open box. I had a feeling it would’ve ended up around my neck, one way or another, but he’d allowed me to choose to accept the expensive gift. He’d given me the space I needed to process my emotional trauma so that I wouldn’t resent him for forcing it on me.
“Lift your hair for me.”
I followed his command without hesitation, ready to accept the sign that I belonged to him. We were still in a dangerous location, and in a little while, we’d be surrounded by dangerous men once again. The necklace would mark me as Massimo’s, and no one would dare to approach me. I could quietly remain by his side while he went about his sordid business. I might not like that business, but I would be safe. Cherished.
My eyes stung again when the delicate clasp closed at my nape. This time, the emotion that surged wasn’t grief; I was overwhelmed by the intensity of his desire for me. Massimo didn’t just want my body. He treasured all of me. He wanted to know me, just as I wanted to understand him better. I craved more of this strong, gorgeous man. I wanted him to belong to me too.
I kissed the hard line of his square jaw, and my sensitive lips tingled at the light scrape of his dark stubble. I flicked the shell of his ear with my tongue before running it down the length of his neck.
He sucked in a shocked breath at my boldness, but he didn’t stop me from exploring his body, worshipping him with my mouth. I trailed more soft kisses over his chest, down his abs. I sank to my knees, bracing my hands on his hips and tugging the towel free.
His thick erection jutted toward the waiting heat of my mouth, and I opened for him. Before I could taste the bead of precum on his cockhead, his fingers tangled in my hair, holding me back.
“Look at me,” he commanded, his voice guttural.
My eyes snapped to his. He towered over me, his massive body seeming larger than ever. I was small in his shadow, but with his firm hands on me, I felt safe, sheltered. His eyes burned with lust, and a surge of feminine power rolled through me. This strong man desired me. He looked at me as though I was the only thing that mattered.