Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Why do your feet hurt?” His question is so out of left field he has to repeat himself so that I can process it.
“When I kicked my heels off, I think there was a piece of glass on the ground.” I lift my foot to look at it. “Gross,” I mutter. and not because of the small cut on the bottom but my feet are covered in dirt. “I’m dirty.” My eyes again fill with tears. What the hell is happening to me? My emotions are all over the freaking place.
“We can just clean them. Fuck. Do you have to be a princess about everything?” He half shouts at me. Trash meows, obviously not liking it. “You should have said something sooner.” Is he implying he would have tended to it?
“When? Between you trying to take my virginity before your daddy or—” Sergei picks up a cup sitting on the counter and throws it against the wall. It shatters, exploding everywhere.
Trash starts to meow louder. I wasn't expecting that reaction, but it provoked him more than any of the other things I’ve said or done. I’m going to tuck that away for later.
“Now you’re upsetting the cat too. Are you happy?” I yell back before I stand up from the couch, pretending his explosion of anger didn’t scare the shit out of me. I pick Trash up, then head away from Sergei to find a bathroom.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“Away from you.” I continue to pet Trash’s head, trying to comfort him. Or maybe it’s myself that I’m comforting.
“The bathroom is there. Your foot needs attention.” He points his thumb the other way.
“Whatever.” I lift my chin and try to walk past him, but he steps in front of me.
“You’re not going to the bathroom alone.”
“Oh, you’re into watersports?”
His eyes widen. I think I really shocked him this time. “What? A princess can’t know about sadism and watersports?”
“I wouldn’t think a virgin one would,” he says dryly. “But you just tried to get me to kill you. I’m not stupid enough to let you go to the bathroom alone.”
“As gross as it is for you to come to the bathroom with me, thank you.” I keep my tone extra smug. “You may accompany me.” Really, I just want to wash my feet.
“You’re thanking me?”
I step around him. “Yes, thank you for starting to realize I’m not as stupid as you seem to think I am.”
7
SERGEI
I never said she was stupid. Did I? I try to think back.
“Ugh.” She tries to step past me.
I take her arm.
She fights at first, then relents, though I suspect it’s only because she has Trash in her other arm.
“Come on.” It comes out gruff, but I keep a gentle hold on her. She’s already injured. Fuck.
She step-hops to the bathroom and looks around.
“Here.” I let go of her arm, grab her waist, and lift her onto the counter.
“You sure are handsy. I’m bet your father won’t appreciate it, Taletti.” She tries to sneer, but she’s too fucking cute to make it happen.
My father. Fuck. That’s who I should be thinking about. Not this scrap of a girl with the sassy mouth. He expects her to be delivered, but here I am with her at my place. I’m screwing this whole thing up. That knowledge doesn’t seem to stop me, though, because I kneel and wrap my hand around her ankle, then gingerly lift her foot toward me.
She winces, and I could swear Trash gives me a dirty look from his spot in her arms.
“It’s filthy.” I rise and grab a washcloth and some medical supplies. Reaching past her, I turn on the faucet. We’re close again, so close I can see the way her heartbeat flutters along the side of her throat. She’s nervous.
“Why do you care?” Her voice comes out breathy. The same way she sounded after I kissed her.
I bite back a groan at the memory of her taste, then I have to fight down the impulse to kiss her again. What the fuck is wrong with me? This isn’t normal. None of it is. I’ve never wanted–I glance into her eyes–hell, I don’t know what I want. But that’s not true, is it? Because this woman in front of me, this enemy, she’s making my heart thump harder and messing with my head.
“I asked you a question.” She glares at me.
I flip off the faucet and sink to my knees again, trying to focus on her foot. “You tell me. You’re the one who claims to be so damn smart.” Taking her foot again, I softly swipe the washcloth along her skin.
She yelps. Trash jumps down beside me and sits, his big eyes on me judgingly. That’s the last thing I need.
“It’s a clean cut, but it’s dirty. Just brace yourself.” I reach up and grab her hand, then place it on my shoulder. “Squeeze when it hurts.”