Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
But I can’t help myself. When I look back, the stare he’s giving me is downright lascivious. His eyes move from my low-cut tank top down my jeans and back up again. There’s something bold and possessive about that stare, like now that Nana and Jason are gone, he can reveal the piece of him that’s been hiding.
It’s a beast, a hungry little animal, ready to devour me. I like that mouth, those lips. I know I love the tongue. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, rolling over and letting him feast.
“How would it work?” I ask, crossing my arms to cover my chest. He tilts his head, considering.
“You’d be my wife.”
“I’m talking logistics. Where would I live?”
“I’d buy a house.”
“Just like that, huh?”
He shrugs. “You could live in mine if you’d like, but I figured you’d want something that was just ours.”
Infuriating how casually he talks about spending hundreds of thousands of dollars when I can’t even afford a few hundred. “How kind of you.”
“I’d pay the rent on this place as well or we could find a new apartment for your brother and your grandmother. That’s entirely up to you. But I’d prefer it if you didn’t actively live with your grandmother. Smoking is bad for the baby and that includes second-hand smoke.”
That gets my back up. I bristle at the comment, even if he’s right. “Nana tries not to smoke around us and she’s careful about blowing it out the window. It’s fine.”
He shrugs, but clearly doesn’t agree. “Either way, they’d be taken care of, like I said.”
I nod and rub my face. “Where would you live?”
“We’d live together most of the time, though I’d have to go back to my family’s house pretty often.”
“What about my job?”
“Work if you want. Quit if you want. Doesn’t matter to me.”
“My brother’s medication?”
“I’ll put a sum of money equal to a five-year supply in an account accessible by you and your grandmother. That way, no matter what, he’s covered for a while. Does that work?”
My stomach flips. Five years? That’s a very large sum of money. Except—
“Ten years,” I say. He looks surprised and I stare him down. “You can afford it.”
That makes him laugh. He nods and makes a conciliatory gesture. “Alright, ten years.”
I start pacing back and forth. We’re negotiating, which means I’m seriously considering this, which means I’ve officially lost my mind. Except it’s so obvious how marrying him will make all our lives easier—everyone except for him. Only I don’t care if I’m a problem, as long as Jason has his meds and isn’t stressed, and Nana gets a little slice of luxury like she deserves.
All it takes is a yes. One word, and I’ll change everything. He’s not telling me everything—Saul definitely expects more than he’s saying—but it’s all too good to pass up.
I face him again, heart racing. “What happens if I want to do this?”
“We’ll get married. There’s a waiting period in Pennsylvania, but I can be patient if you don’t mind.”
“That’s fine.”
“Wonderful. But there’s one more thing.” He stands. I don’t know how this man fits in my tiny kitchen. He fills it out with his wide shoulders and full chest and his enormous personality. I can’t look anywhere but at him and it’s almost painful. I want to tear my gaze away, to get a break from his masculine jaw and his full lips, but I can’t. It’s overwhelming.
“What?” I ask as sweat beads down my back.
“You can’t meet my family. Not at first. They don’t know about you and I haven’t figured out how they’re going to find out.”
My mouth opens. I hadn’t expected this. “I’m your dirty secret?”
“You’re related to the enemy.” He steps closer and talks before I can deny it. “Your cousin. Your uncle. I’ve asked around about you, and it’s obvious you have some clan ties on your mother’s side. And who knows about your father. Regardless of how actively involved you are, my family and my organization will not be happy about me marrying a girl like you. Which means, for a while, you’re a secret. Can you live with that?”
No, no, I can’t, I can’t live with any of this. It’s too much and for some reason, knowing that I’m a dirty secret, that his family wouldn’t approve of me, that makes it so much worse.
“Fine,” I say, looking away, hugging myself tighter. “I don’t care.”
Which is obviously not true but he doesn’t call me out on it. Instead, he comes closer, one more step. He swallows the space between us and a chill runs down my spine.
“Then you’ll marry me?” he asks, tone sultry and low. Whoever taught him to talk like that deserves jail time.
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He almost groans, which just about kills me. That noise is the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. The fact that he wants me, that he wants this, and can’t help himself, makes me want to throw myself into his arms. Instead, he comes forward until his hands are on my hips and I’m leaning back against the counter, breathing hard.