Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Well, what?” I take the mug from her hands and lean into her. She puts her hands on my hips as I lean onto the counter, pinning her there.
“Did you take his offer?”
“Neutrality,” I say, rolling the word around my mouth. “You think that’ll work?”
“I think it’s Simon’s way of saving face.”
“I told him to fuck off.”
She rolls her eyes. “No, you didn’t.”
“I know.” I lean in and kiss her. “There’s only one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“I live in a condo.” My eyebrows raise. “Your sculptures won’t fit.”
She bursts out laughing and throws herself at me. We kiss hard in the kitchen, and her clothes come off before long. It’s like we can’t help it. All my relief explodes out on her, and I’m licking her nipples, biting her lip, fucking her against the island, until we’re both lying spent on the couch.
“A house,” she says, damp with sweat, slightly pink from exertion, and more beautiful than ever.
“What?”
“I’ll buy a house. I’m rich now, you know.”
“I’m rich too. We’ll buy it together.” I kiss her neck. “I love you, Laura. You know that?”
“I figured it out.” She’s beaming as she kisses me back. “I love you too though.”
“How long before your family starts meddling in our life? A few days? A few weeks?”
She snorts and shakes her head. “I’m honestly surprised Elena isn’t here right now asking a thousand questions.”
“It’s okay, you know. I mean, I’m happy you’re close with them. I’m not going to stand between you and the people you care about.”
“Even though you want to kill them all?”
“Well.” I raise my eyebrows and shrug. “Maybe just Simon.”
She laughs and we stay like that on the couch together. Possibilities spread out around us. Potential futures, potential joy. I want to experience it all—but mostly I want to experience her.
Yeah, I could stay right here forever.
Actually, I could stay wherever she is, for as long as she’s there.
Chapter 42
Laura
“Hello, Laura. Did you miss me?”
Jackal’s standing in front of the bed. Behind him are two black boxes wrapped with black bows. A shiver of excitement runs down my spine.
“Yes, I missed you.”
“Good girl.” Jackal doesn’t move. He watches me, head cocked, his face hidden behind the mask. My Marco. My Jackal. Two boyfriends packed into one. “It’s time to play a game.”
“Will it hurt?”
“It might. Does that scare you?”
“No. I think I like it when it hurts.”
If he’s smiling, I can’t tell. He says nothing, only steps aside and gestures at the boxes. I drift toward them with an eagerness that surprises me. I haven’t seen Jackal in nearly a week, and I’ve been craving a night with him just like this.
Only it’s hard to choose. I look between his gifts, unable to make up my mind.
“Pick.” He’s standing right behind me. Looming, so damn big and strong. I can feel the heat rolling off him. His suit clings to his powerful chest.
I reach out and pick up a box.
“The left-hand path,” he murmurs behind me. “Do you know what that means? The left hand is the dark side, black magic, broken taboos and shattered morality. You always choose the left, don’t you?”
“It’s more fun,” I say and slowly unwrap the bow.
“I knew you would, baby,” he whispers, and his hands press against my arms as I pull off the lid of the box.
Inside is a black velvet cushion. On top of it lies a diamond-studded collar with a metal loop on the front for a chain. And in the middle of the choker is another box, a smaller box.
I stare and my body goes very still.
“Put on the collar,” he whispers. “Then open the box.”
“Marco,” I groan.
“Jackal,” he corrects gently. “Put it on, little demon.”
I pick up the collar and wrap it around my neck. My body’s tingling and chills rush along my skin. I never imagined something like this could happen to me as I fasten the collar, making it tight on my throat, but it’s right. I’m his—I’m all his—and now he knows it.
“The box,” he says, stroking a finger down my spine.
I whimper, shaking my head. I blink back tears. “Please,” I say, although I don’t know what I’m begging for.
“Open it.” A command now. Firm, but not angry, with a little teasing undercurrent. “Or are you afraid, baby?”
“I’m not afraid.” I pick up the ring box and flip open the lid as if his little challenge was all the push I needed.
It’s beautiful. My breath catches, and I can’t find words. A cluster of diamonds sparkling in the low hotel lights. A white gold band. He reaches around my body and holds out my hand, takes the ring with his other, and slowly slips it onto my finger.
I close my eyes and stand still, feeling his body pressed against my back, the weight of the collar around my throat, the ring pressing down against my skin.