Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
He sat down in the chair next to mine and reached out. I took his hand and turned my head. He gazed at me with that intense, loving expression, looking at my body like he was seeing it for the first time. Ever since we came here after what happened with Maeve, he’d been insatiable, and each night was like the first time all over again. I was sore, spent, and completely, utterly happy.
We got married on the fourth day. He surprised me with a ring and ushered me to a quiet, private ceremony in front of a local priest. He swore he’d throw me an enormous wedding and party if that’s what I wanted, but I had no need for any of that.
I had a ring, I had my husband, and I had my future. That was all I cared about.
“Busy day today?” I asked.
He sighed, massaging my palm. “Always busy. Whenever I’m here, it’s like the real world follows.”
“They need guidance. It’s the curse of being an Oligarch.”
“Sometimes I wish they’d run my businesses by themselves. I hired good people for a reason.”
“Quit complaining.” I playfully slapped his hand and he grinned at me.
“You’re never easy on me, are you?”
“You wouldn’t like it if I was.”
“That’s true.” He leaned across the space and kissed my neck. I smiled, leaning into him, before he pulled away. His fingers continued to knead my knuckles. “Your mother called again.”
I didn’t look at him. The ocean was so pretty. I loved the way the sunlight glinted on its surface. I liked the birds diving down to catch their dinner and the shells lining the otherwise untouched beach.
“Penny,” Kaspar said and stopped his hand massage. “You can’t ignore her forever.”
“I disagree.”
“She’s your mother.”
“I know.”
“Penny.”
I gave him a hard look. “Do you talk to your family all the time?”
“No, but—”
“Then don’t expect me to do something you don’t even do yourself.”
He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “It’s not that simple and you know it. She’s got a direct line to Erin. If we can get in touch—”
“I’m not doing it.”
He nodded slowly and gave me a lazy, beautiful smile. I wanted to be mad at him but I understood his reasoning.
Erin disappeared with Chika after Maeve died. Nobody knew where she was. Even Darren seemed at a total loss. Kaspar was sure my mother still spoke with her, but I didn’t care enough to try to find out.
They weren’t my problem anymore. Let them fight. They could leave me out of it.
But as tempting as that was, the news I got earlier in the day changed things.
I stood up, stretching, and held out a hand. “Come with me.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you taking me somewhere as a punishment?”
“No, not this time. But you’re on thin ice.”
He laughed and got to his feet. Kaspar didn’t stand so much as unfurl his massive body. He moved with a liquid grace that I envied.
We held hands and walked along the ocean. The wet sand was warm and squishy under my toes. The water lapped up along our ankles, and the breeze blew back my hair. Kaspar smiled, at ease, confident. I loved the way he acted here, without a care in the world. This was my husband without the trappings of his office.
Back in the real world, he wore his Oligarchy like armor. He was a cold man, filled with ice. But here, alone on a small island nestled deep in the Caribbean, he could just be mine.
“We’ve talked about starting something together,” I said, looking at his full lips and sparkling eyes. “Do you still want that?”
“I’m not sure what you mean. Maybe try being less cryptic.”
My stomach did flips. “Do you still want to start a family?”
He paused and pulled me against him. “Of course I do. Why would I change my mind?”
“I don’t know. Kids are hard. They’ll complicate things.”
“I understand that. But I love you and I want to fill the world with your babies.”
I grinned and kissed his chin. I stopped walking and took a deep breath before slowly letting it out. “Kaspar, I’m pregnant.”
His eyes widened and a grin split his face in two. “You’re joking.”
“Jannah got me the tests and I took them this morning.”
He shouted with pure delight and picked me up into a massive hug. I laughed, unable to help myself. I was terrified—so scared that this would mean all my freedom would slip from my fingers—but I trusted Kaspar. We’d make this work together, as equal partners.
He put me down and kissed me.
“That was the reaction I wanted,” I said, smiling despite all my fear. Kaspar had that effect on me.
“I can’t begin to describe how happy I am. Penny, I love you with so much it hurts, and I’m going to love our child just as much.”