Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“You must be her,” she says and throws her arms around Ella.
Ella looks at me with shock, then it changes to something close to happiness as she hugs Zelly back. “I’m Ella. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You’ve been driving my brother crazy these past two months.” Zelly doesn’t even look in my direction and keeps her entire focus on Ella. “Anytime you feel like doing it again, let me know and I’m happy to help.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I need to escape,” Ella says not so quietly, and I move between them.
“All right, that’s enough.” I try to nudge Zelly out of the way, but she walks around me, and Ella giggles at our behavior.
“Seriously. Say the word and I’m your partner in crime.” Zelly winks at Ella before going back to the garden and grabbing the basket of vegetables. “I’m taking these to the kitchen, but I’ll see you for dinner?” she asks Ella, who nods back. “Excellent. I’m excited to have someone to talk to that’s not invested in my marriage status.”
“What does she mean?” Ella asks me as we walk around to the front of the house.
“She comes of age in a few weeks and will enter society. I’m negotiating her betrothal on behalf of my late father.”
“That must be a big responsibility,” Ella says, thinking it over. “Can’t she marry for love?”
“In a perfect world, yes, but Zelly and I come from an important family, so it’s equally important she marries someone at or above her station.”
“Is it the same for you?” She stops as we get to the front door, and I turn to face her.
“No, but it’s different for women, and that’s why I have to look out for Zelly. I have to make sure that her future and financial status are secured.” I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and let my fingers linger on her neck. “But I’m lucky that the woman I’m going to marry is the woman I love.”
Chapter Fifteen
ELLA
“Gorgeous, you have to learn to trust me.”
Leo has been repeating these words to me for the past few weeks, and although I want to trust him, I really do, there’s too much on the line. He has done nothing but try to prove how much he wants me to be with him and that he loves me. For some reason, I still haven’t said the words back, but I do love him. I’m just scared.
It’s been strange to be away from my family estate for so long. Cinder has always been my whole world, but it’s been nice to feel free. Even if I’m with a caveman. Leo can be possessive, but he lets me go anywhere I want. All I have to do is ask, and the only requirement is that he gets to be by my side. It’s sweet.
I don’t have much experience with love other than Oliver. He loves me but in a family way where it’s kind of expected. With Leo, it’s chosen because he picked me. There aren’t any rules, obligations, or strings. Leo wants me and nothing more.
He slipped down to his office early this morning while I showered. Even after that, I can still smell him on me. The man has branded me in every way possible.
Staring down at the ring on my finger, I remember how sure he was when he gave it to me. It wasn’t a random ring he went out and bought but one from his family. I tried to tell him we don’t have to get married and we could give it time. He wasn’t too happy about that, and we ended up getting into one of our little fights.
I don’t think you’re supposed to enjoy fighting, but Leo makes it so good. At times I do it on purpose. It’s shameful, but when he flips out and gets possessive, my whole body comes alive, and I end up pinned to some nearby surface.
Before Leo, I spent years letting time pass. Each day was the same as the one before, but now I’m alive, and a fog has been lifted from my eyes. How could I not say yes to that?
“Hey!” Zelly chirps, and I spin around from inside my closet to see her standing there with a bright smile.
One of the best parts of living with Leo is Zelly. I adore her. She’s feisty and pushes back on things, which is refreshing to see. Leo doesn’t get mad when she does it, either. If anything, he pretends to be annoyed, but I can see the love between them. It’s sweet, and it reminds me of when my dad would say that he wished he’d given me a sibling.
I think that was what he thought he was doing when he married Fiona. But I would have rather been left alone than deal with her sons. Fiona was the exception, and I miss both her and Oliver dearly. I’m not sure what’s going to happen if I don’t come home, and I worry about Fiona daily. When I mention it to Leo, he tells me to trust him. I don’t think my stepbrothers would hurt her unless they knew it would affect me. They haven’t been able to get close to me since I left the Cinder estate, so I can only hope Oliver is taking care of Fiona.