Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I scoot off the bed and walking barefoot, my steps are silent. I go to the ensuite bathroom and finding a toothbrush and paste, I quickly freshen up before I go look for Tristan.
Passing through a lounge that opens to the back of the yacht, I find Tristan with his hands braced on the railing as he stares out over the blue horizon.
I press my palm to his back and duck under his arm so I can hug him. Tristan instantly takes hold of my jaw, and lifting my face, his lips crash against mine. His tongue invades my mouth, and with hard strokes, he sets fire to my body. When he ends the kiss, he asks, “Hungry?”
Breathless, I can only nod. You’d think I’d get used to his intensity, but it still sends a thrill through me, and we’ve been together for almost ten months.
“Come.” He pulls me to the plush couches, and when I’ve taken a seat, a server brings out a platter of fruit and a glass of sparkling water. “I thought you’d like something light,” Tristan explains once the server has left.
Taking a handful of grapes, I pop one into my mouth, and once I’ve swallowed, I say, “Thank you. This is perfect.”
Tristan watches me eat, and when I’ve had my fill, he shakes his head slowly at me. “You’re pushing yourself too hard. I don’t like it.” His voice is deceptively calm.
Clearing my throat, I reach a hand to his thigh. “It’s almost summer break, then I’ll catch up with all the sleep I’ve missed.”
Tristan tilts his head. “I still don’t like it.”
Scooting closer to him, I snuggle into his side, admitting, “I’m struggling to focus on the work, so it’s taking me longer to study.”
Tristan’s eyes lock with mine. “Why are you struggling to focus?”
“You,” I tease him with a playful smile, then I add, “I’ve just lost interest in law.”
“Why don’t you switch to something else then?”
I think about it before I reply, “Like what? There’s nothing I’m remotely interested in.”
Tristan presses a kiss to my temple. “Get through the exams, then we can talk during the summer break.”
I nod, and feeling better that I’ve talked to him about my worry, I stare out over the ocean. “It’s so peaceful out here.”
“It is,” he murmurs. There’s a couple of minutes’ silence, then he says, “Everything is arranged for the trip.”
I glance up at him. “I can’t wait.” I haven’t told my parents I’ll be spending the summer break at Tristan’s place, so it has me adding, “We need to go for dinner at my parents. I still have to tell them I’ll be staying with you.”
The corner of his mouth lifts up. “How do you think they’ll take it?”
“My mom will probably start planning the wedding,” I grumble.
Tristan’s gaze holds mine prisoner. “I like the sound of that.”
Sitting up, I tilt my head. “Marriage?”
Slowly he nods. “Yes. The sooner, the better.” My eyes widen, which makes him grin. “Don’t look so surprised. You’re already mine. I’ll just be putting a ring on your finger.”
My lips part, and for a moment, I can’t respond as happiness bubbles in my heart. “You really want to marry me?”
His mouth curves into a hot smirk. “More than anything.” Lifting his hand, he wraps his fingers around the side of my neck, and then he presses a hard kiss to my mouth. “You own me, Hana.”
TRISTAN
Mr. Cutler pours me a bourbon, then asks, “Have you planned everything for the trip to Iceland?”
I sit down and wait for him to take a seat before I nod. “Everything’s been arranged. We’ll take my private jet.”
His eyes lock on mine, then he says, “I have to be honest, I’m surprised by how committed you are to Hana.”
My gaze sharpens on him, and I tilt my head. “You obviously expected differently.”
He nods, then mutters, “With all the non-disclosures, can you blame me?”
The downside of Hana’s father being one of my attorneys. He knows too much about my personal life. I let out a chuckle.
He takes a sip of his bourbon, then asks, “How serious are you about Hana?”
“Dead.” The word is clipped, but it sums up everything.
Mr. Cutler stares at me for a while, but I hold his gaze.
Then he asks, “How’s the new business?”
Alexei employed Demitri’s uncle, Michail Vetrov as our attorney. He takes care of anything Hayes and Koslov related, which now includes all my personal business.
“Good,” I answer.
Mr. Cutler takes a deep breath, and seeing the worry in his eyes, I say, “I won’t give Hana up.” Knowing he needs to hear the words, I add, “I love her.”
Mr. Cutler’s eyes narrow slightly. “You better keep her safe, Tristan. I don’t care who you are. If anything happens to my daughter, you’ll have to face Falcon, Mason, and myself.”
Admiring his spirit, the corner of my mouth curves up. “It’s good to know I’m not the only one who would go to war for her.”