Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“We’re here for a nice, romantic dinner, and I don’t want to think about anyone but you. You’re the most beautiful girl in this room or any other room, and those people are probably wondering what agency you model for or what movie you’re about to star in.”
“Ha, thank you but I doubt it.”
He takes my hand and stares into my eyes. “Don’t ever doubt it, baby girl. You’re the hottest girl in the world.”
As we eat our dinner and the wine flows, I start to feel more comfortable by his side. The idea of supermodels and actresses wanting to be with him doesn’t bother me when I see the way he looks at me. We’re connected in a way that those people will never understand. Heck, sometimes I don’t understand it either.
“My mother will never let us hear the end of it if we don’t go see that tree,” he says.
“Don’t you want to go see it?”
“I do. We just need to make one stop on the way.”
The limo rolls away from the curb and toward a side of the city I’ve never been to before. It’s the exclusive neighborhood where the millionaires live. My parents are well off, but even they could never afford to live in a place like this, which makes me wonder what we’re doing here.
The limo rolls to a stop in front of a towering white stone building.
“We just need a few minutes, Dimitri,” Torin tells the driver.
“You know him?” I ask as he helps me out of the car.
“Dimitri? Of course, I know him. Why wouldn’t I know my own driver?”
“Your driver? I thought you rented a limo for the night!”
“No, baby girl. Dimitri drives me all over the city when I’m working. He works for me.”
My head swims as I try to consider Torin Tasios being chauffeured around all day.
“Is that why you don’t have a car?”
“In this city? Why would I want to own a car here? Now, if we’re going to live in the country, I’ll have to look into buying one.”
“If we what?”
He takes me inside the modernistic lobby of the white tower and leads me to the elevator. He inserts a key, and we’re off to the penthouse. The doors open onto a large living room with a full wall of windows facing out on the city skyline.
“Torin, d-do you live here?” I stammer.
“Yeah, baby. This is me. Have a look around while I make us a drink.”
I stumble around the huge space, staring at the art on the walls and the floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookcases. His place doesn’t feel cold and naked like the lobby. It feels as if a rich man took his country house and slapped it inside his city house.
“This is impressive. It’s beautifully decorated. I love the old-world charm.”
“It’s funny how much old-world charm costs in a place like this. My Russian grandmother would never believe it, but this is what makes me comfortable. Besides, I wanted you to see it.”
“I’m happy you decided to show me where you live, but why now?”
“Because it’s time for us to make some decisions.”
“What kind of decisions?”
“Well, do you want to move to the city and live here like this or do you want me to buy a place outside of town so you can keep working at the school and living in the country?”
“Are you asking me to live with you?” My heart pounds in my ears.
“No, baby girl.” He takes my hands and drops to his knee. “I had no idea that visiting the town I grew up in would lead to my home. You. You’re my home, Tess. Wherever you are. So, will you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”
“For real?” I mutter as my eyes fill with tears.
“For real. I love you, sweetheart. Marry me.”
“Yes, I will marry you.”
He pulls a ring out of his pocket. Even in this dim light, it’s the largest diamond I’ve ever seen. He slides the ring on my finger and takes me in his arms.
“I love you, baby girl. I’m gonna make you the happiest girl in the world.”
“You already have. I love you, too.”
EPILOGUE
TORIN
The message indicator flashes, and I glance down at my phone while Tess checks out the appliances recently installed in the new kitchen. I read the message once, then again.
“Dario Pankatrova ran into some trouble of his own making. He’s with his brother now.”
I shake my head, but I’m not at all surprised. Anyone who’s dumb enough to come after someone like me is too reckless to last long in this world of ours. I never want to celebrate the death of any man, but I have to admit that the timing is good. I never took my eyes off him after our peace agreement. Like I said, he was reckless and stupid, and men like that can never be trusted completely.