Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Laura stared down at her hands, thinking about her feelings for Gabe. “He … he makes me feel alive.”
Charlotte smiled. “Then that, my sweetheart, is all you need.” She tapped her on the cheek. “And you can work here for as long as you’d like to. You know me. I love the company.”
She hugged her friend tightly before helping her clean up for the night. Derek waited in the car to take her home.
When she arrived at the penthouse suite, Felipe waited outside like always. She smiled at him. He returned a slight tilt to the lips, but that was all. The man wasn’t known for his social niceties.
She entered the apartment to hearing Gabe laugh.
“You think you can bargain with me? This is my city. You want to start a war, I’ll bring it right to your doorstep, but it will be your blood soaking the streets, not mine.”
Laura removed her jacket and looked toward him as he ended the call. “Bad day at the office?”
“You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“It’s fine. It’s not every single day a girl hears her man threaten someone.”
Gabe walked toward her. He cupped her face and pulled her in close. “Have I ever told you how hard you make me?” He took her hand, placing it on his erect cock.
“This morning. Did you go and get groceries?” She let go of his cock and made her way into the kitchen.
“Are you pissed at me or something?”
“No, why would I be pissed?”
“You’re not on your knees sucking my dick?”
She giggled. “I’m hungry. It’s late and I’ll eat you later.” She pressed a hand to his chest. “Besides, you need to cool down. You look ready to hit something.”
Gabe pulled away. “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
“Hell no. What makes you think that?” She opened the fridge and pulled out the leftover lasagna she made the night before.
She smiled as she caught sight of all the new vegetables and fresh salad ingredients that filled the fridge. When she’d asked him to get them, he’d been adamant he didn’t shop. She didn’t care how they got there, only that they did.
Spinning around, she cupped his face and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“So, that blowjob?”
“Soon.” She kissed the tip of his nose and rubbed his cock. “Talk to me, Gabe.”
“What do you want to know?”
“How was your day? Aside from the cursing and hatred, and declaring war and stuff like that.”
Gabe took a seat at the counter as she pre-heated the oven. She often hated using a microwave. Everything tasted better in the oven, to her at least.
“It was productive.” He reached into his jacket pocket. “I’ve picked out an evening gown for you as we’ve been invited to a charity gala.”
She put the salad ingredients on the counter and took the invite, reading over it.
“Why are you getting invited to events like this? No offense.”
“I’m a businessman.”
“You’re a crime lord? A gang man?” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know what to call you.”
“I’m still a legit businessman. No one can dispute what I do, when or how. I get invited to rub shoulders with the wealthy, and in doing so, I get to reap the rewards. I never take a date to these events. You’re coming with me.”
“I’ll stand out like a sore thumb.”
“You’re going to be a very sexy sore thumb.”
She put the invite down in front of him. “I take it nothing I say will convince you otherwise.”
“What’s the problem?”
“Nothing is the problem. It’s not me.”
Gabe chuckled. “Sweetheart, it’s not me either. I have blood on my hands every single day. This is my life. All you’ve got to do is throw money at them, and they leave you alone. Trust me.”
She started to chop the salad ingredients and lay them out on their plates.
“It seems a little … out there. If I do go as your date, they’ll know. The mafia guys. Everyone.”
“And you’re afraid of that.”
“No, not me. I can handle it. I was thinking about you. Wouldn’t it bother you to be seen with a nobody?”
Gabe got up and rounded the counter to stand in front of her. He took her hand, lifting it to brush his lips across her knuckles. “You’re not, nor will you ever be, a nobody. You’re someone, Laura. You’re everything to me.” He pressed a kiss on her lips. “You always will be.”
“How do you know when to say the right things?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard I’ve got a way with words. It has helped me get to where I am right now.” He cupped her cheek, kissing her. “Thank you for calming me down.”
“You’re welcome.” She put a hand to his chest. “I’ve enjoyed these past few weeks.”
“As have I.”
“Gabe, I need you to promise me that when you get bored of me, you’ll tell me. You won’t wait around or … kill me.”