Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“I think you’re right. My neck’s gonna hurt,” she grumbled into my chest.
I almost laughed, but I didn’t like the thought of her in any kind of pain. I moved us out of the shower and got a towel. She stood submissively as I dried her down like a child.
She looked tired. I threw the towel aside, gathered her into my arms, and headed straight to bed. There was no question now that she was going to spend the night with me. I watched her naked on my bed and felt my chest swell with emotion. I made myself a promise. One day I’d put a ring on her finger. And she would be mine. All mine. And only mine.
Her eyes were closing.
Marie had left a tray of food for her and wanted to try to get her to eat something before sleep could take her.
“Sure you don’t want to eat before going to sleep?” I asked.
“No,” she replied softly, and completely naked, snuggled deeper into the pillow.
Chapter 43
Zola
Iawakened to a pain in my neck and unfamiliar surroundings and a warm and solid body behind me. Ah, Dante. I smiled at the memory of our time in the shower. I tried to turn my head and look at him and winced at the stiffness. As soon as I moved he opened his eyes. They were so startlingly blue they made me blink.
“Gosh, your eyes are so blue,” I exclaimed.
He grinned. “The better to see you with, Zola, my dear.”
I giggled. The idea of him as a wolf was too delicious. I couldn’t help myself. “Oooo … what perfect teeth you have, Mr. Wolf.”
“You shouldn’t have said that,” he warned.
I screamed and tried to escape, but he had me in his grip.
“Wait, wait. I have to go to the toilet,” I pleaded.
He let me go and I quickly wriggled out of bed and went to the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and tried to move my neck. It was uncomfortably stiff just like Dante said it would be. I took in my appearance. My hair was a complete mess. I glanced at the spacious shower room, and my knees went weak with the memory of the way he had fucked me so passionately.
Knock, knock.
“I’ll be right out,” I said and ran his hairbrush through my hair. I opened the door and found him deliciously bare-chested, but the playful look was gone from his face. It was etched with concern.
“You’re in pain, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine,” I lied.
“No, you’re not.”
He took my hand and dropped a couple of tablets into my palm. Then he held out a glass of water.
“Pain reliever,” he explained briefly.
He stood in front of me and watched me down them.
“Breakfast?” he asked
“Breakfast sounds good.
“Let’s go find some clothes for you to change into,” he said. “I’ll help you.”
“I think I’ll be fine,” I told him. “I don't want to become completely reliant on you.”
“It’ll just be for a couple of days. Three days tops.”
“Still.” I smiled.
“Off you go then,” he said.
I hesitated and chewed my bottom lip. “How could you be so sure I’d choose the room next to yours?”
He laughed. “I didn’t. I believe you have clothes in all the other rooms too.”
My jaw dropped with shock. I stared at him speechless. This man was an enigma. I didn’t deserve him. The old me would have said, I’ll pay you back. The new me was filled with gratitude.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“No problem,” he said. A cheeky look came into his eyes. “Are you going to ask me for a bill so you can pay me back?”
I shook my head. “No. I’ll never say that again. I could never pay you back for everything you’ve done for me even if I spend the rest of my life trying to.”
A message pinged on his phone.
He frowned and picked it up. As I watched him read the message I could see and sense his emotions change.
“Is everything alright?” I asked.
He lifted his gaze and nodded. “Yes, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to join you for dinner.”
“What's wrong?” I asked nervously.
“Nothing is wrong. I just have to personally see to some issues at the office since I wasn’t available yesterday. I’ll be back in no time.”
Suddenly I felt clingy and overly dependent, and it wasn’t a good feeling. I always remembered my grandmother saying nothing scares a man more than desperation in a woman so I stepped back a little.
“Ok.” Before I left I allowed myself to just touch his arm … for assurance.
But he grabbed my wrist and entwined his fingers with mine. “See you later.”
“See you later, alligator,” I quipped, and he laughed.
It was a good sound. A very good sound.
Chapter 44
Dante
The two private investigators standing in front of the suburban house in Brooklyn nodded when they saw me. After exchanging salutations, we walked in. I took my seat behind the desk and addressed them.