Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
6
MELINA
Where better to end the night than the place it began?
It’s a lot to take in. The arrangement set to marry Nasir and join our empires as one. My dad worrying about everything and having to get blackout drunk just to settle his nerves. And Malik.
I understand my task and want to throw myself into it fully, but my heart wants something different. I’ve spent so little time with Malik, yet he’s managed to rock my world completely. He isn’t the first attractive man to approach me, yet he does it with such stoic confidence I can’t help melting away and giving in to his every whim.
He’s shaken me to the core, but with the massive slab of meat between his legs rock hard and ready, I believe I’ve done the same to him.
Try as I might to rationalize what happened, I can’t. I keep drifting back to the point where he was inside me. The few glorious moments that sent me over the edge. It’s why I’m here and not tucked away in bed.
As much as I want to throw myself at his feet, I can’t. This is still uncharted territory. What if his affections aren’t sincere? What if this is some plot orchestrated by his boss? Every box has to be checked before I allow myself to embrace Malik fully, and what better way than to make him look for me?
But that isn’t true, either. Him seeking me out won’t answer any of my questions. If he’s here to pry for secrets, it would be in his best interest to find me.
So, why am I doing this? To create the illusion of mystery to a man my dad and I couldn’t find any information on apart from his service in the military and a few nicknames people used to call him? Even that seems far-fetched.
Which leads back to ‘the heart wants what the heart wants.’ And right now, it just wants him buried balls deep inside of me.
“What do we have here?” A voice comes from behind me. An instant spike of fear shoots through my body. The club’s empty and has been since I arrived. The only reason I’m in here is because Malik said this whole place was built for me and my dad.
Why not take advantage of the luxuries Omar Ali has so generously offered?
“Bar’s closed,” I say and spin around in my chair.
“Can’t be closed if you’re here,” the guy says. He’s quickly closing the distance between us with a shit-eating grin splashed across his face. “Come on, a girl as pretty as you shouldn’t drink alone. This is a dangerous place. Didn’t you see the guys with guns earlier?”
“I’d rather not. I should be going, anyway.” The only dangerous thing I can see is the creep in front of me. And with the way he’s slinking closer to me, I’m not getting any let me save the damsel in distress vibes from him.
“Come on,” he presses on. “One drink. It’s not gonna kill you.”
By the sandals, short pants, and stained white t-shirt, this guy isn’t part of Omar’s crew. His accent should’ve been a dead giveaway. An American tourist who’s only here to make us feel comfortable.
How ironic. I’m in a strange land with dangerous people, and it’s a western local who poses the greatest threat.
“I’d prefer to go…” I can’t finish the sentence before a fire stokes in my heart. Fuck that. Why should I leave? Or feel unsafe in a tower dedicated to me? “Better yet, you should go.”
“Feisty.” He raises his hands in mock surrender, but his feet keep dragging him closer to me. “Let me grab a bottle or two, and I’ll be on my way. How does that sound?”
He doesn’t stop walking until he’s an arm’s length away from me. My first thought is to throw a punch and start running. My second is to reach into my purse and grab one of the myriad of tiny weapons I carry at all times. Pepper spray, the small stiletto dagger, or the cap gun would all suffice.
Yet, my body locks in place, and I find myself unable to move. His eyes drift up and down me, lingering on my breasts before finally making their way back to my eyes.
“Nice dress you’re wearing.” His hand raises from his side and inches closer to me. I watch it move, stuck like a deer in headlights.
Come on, Melina. This is your chance. Show them you can handle this.
I want nothing but to be a pillar of strength. Leveraging myself as a bargaining chip to unite Omar and my father. Stand tall among these titans and conquer the world at their side. How can I do any of that if I can’t even handle a single creep who makes me feel uncomfortable?
What a joke.