Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
As if sensing her hesitation, he continued. “I’ll keep you safe. I’m not a man other men want to fuck with. I don’t ever want you to think I wouldn’t put your safety first. As dramatic as it sounds, I’d take a bullet for you. I’d kill for you if that was necessary.”
She tried to find a smile, but at the mention of him taking a bullet for her, the shocking pain of metal tearing into her flesh, the terror, the memories of the long road back surfaced.
Again, he seemed to know what she was feeling. His arms circled her and pulled her tight against his chest. She felt surrounded by a fortress. He was that strong and sure.
“I’m sorry I triggered a bad memory when I was trying to reassure you, baby.”
“It isn’t your fault,” she admitted readily. “I still haven’t gotten over what happened.”
“You won’t. How could you?” His voice was that soft, soothing velvet that stroked over her skin like the finest of paintbrushes. “You can’t expect to ever get over something like you experienced. You learn to live with it, Zelie. When the nightmares get bad and you’re having a difficult time, you can talk to me. I’ve got things in my past, not the same, but similar. I understand lasting trauma.”
“You think we can do this,” Azelie said. “But I don’t have your faith. Not because of you, but because I can’t seem to trust anyone. Not even the merry widows, and they’ve been so good to me. Consistently good to me. I still can’t talk to them about my brother-in-law and what he did. I’m not just trying to save myself heartache; I’m trying to save you too.”
His hand came up to fist in her hair, the fingers threading through the thick, luxurious strands. He gave the lightest of tugs, sending fiery tingles of awareness through her scalp.
“Right there, Zelie, that’s what I’m talking about. I know you’re trying to look out for me. Do you realize how rare you are? I’ve never had that. Never. Not even from my parents or relatives.”
Her heart hurt just hearing him. Her parents hadn’t been the best, but she had had Janine. Her sister had treated her with love and kindness. She’d never acted as if taking on Azelie was a burden. If anything, Janine had made her feel as though she was a great help to her, that she needed Azelie and felt lucky to have her living with them.
“I’m so sorry, Andrii. Some people shouldn’t be parents.” She gave him a small smile. “But then neither of us would be here, so I guess in the end, we should just make the most of our lives. That’s all I’m trying to do, just live the best life I can without hurting anyone.”
The color of his eyes softened to an intense gray. “I watched you, and yes, I know I sound like a creepy stalker, but I realized in the time I paid attention that you are an extraordinary woman. That was just observing you. Being with you just assures me how right I was.”
“Andrii, I can’t make decisions. I despise making them. I’m good with numbers, but I don’t especially like the work. It’s the only thing I am good at. I can make decisions without hesitation when it comes to numbers, but anything else, I’m a wreck. I worry about everything. You see me being nice to a couple of people and think I’m worth something. I’m not.”
“I asked you not to make disparaging remarks about yourself.”
“I’m trying to get you to see the truth about me.”
“All you’re doing is sealing your fate, Solnyshkuh. You’re telling me you need me. You won’t have worries when you’re with me because I’m willing to take those on for you.”
She couldn’t speak. His declaration was obviously sincere, but she found herself too attracted. Wanting to give him everything. She’d be so lost in him.
“Don’t look so scared, Zelie. Trust me when I say I’ll take care of you.”
The pad of his thumb swept gently, tenderly, over her cheekbone, and then traced her lips, setting her heart pounding and sex fluttering.
“I’m just as distrustful as you are. We both have good reasons for being the way we are. Let’s do this together. Say you’ll try for me. Commit, Zelie.”
He mesmerized her, a predator cornering his prey, yet she didn’t want to escape. As much as she feared she would be swallowed by him, he was the only man she had ever been attracted to, physically or emotionally. “All right.” She whispered her capitulation because there was no way to make her voice any louder.
A slow smile softened his hard features. It didn’t make him look any less dangerous, but it made him even more attractive.
“You should be outlawed,” she said. “Seriously, Andrii, I’m not certain I can think straight around you.”