Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
I almost curtsied. Thankfully, I stopped myself. I set down my coffee and started to explore what the options were. There were Eggs Benedict over salmon under a silver cloche. I looked at Anton and he gestured that I should take it. I added fresh berries to my plate, as well as some salad greens. I eyed the tiered serving tray with pastries.
“Go ahead.”
Anton was smiling at me. I bit my lip.
“Maybe after,” I said. “Sir.”
He let out a sharp laugh.
“Please, do not hold back. You should eat your fill. You missed dinner for the most part,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee. Then he casually asked; “Did you sleep well?”
I nearly choked on the first bite of my eggs, which were delicious. I said nothing. I took a glass of tomato juice with a piece of celery sticking out of it. I took a deep sip to cover my embarrassment, before realizing that it was not tomato juice.
It was very spicy, and I was pretty sure there was alcohol in it.
“What… is that?” I asked, looking at my glass with fascinated horror.
“Haven’t you ever had a Bloody Mary before?”
“No, I haven’t,” I said, my cheeks burning. I was not going to call him sir again. And I wasn’t going to show how inexperienced I was either! I took another deep sip and his already knowing smile widened. He was so smug!
I was eating standing up, as was he. I squelched the urge to stomp my foot. Barely.
Warmth spread through me as I sipped. He only smiled wider. Before I knew it the drink was empty, and the straw was dancing in slowly melting ice.
“Another?” He asked solicitously. I nodded, lifting my chin proudly. I would enjoy my Bloody Mary. He said nothing, just poured me another drink. He leaned onto his folded hands and watched me.
This time I ate a few bites before taking another sip. The flavor was rapidly growing on me. It was delicious. In fact, it was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted.
Suddenly I was in a very jovial mood. I smiled at him and started eating in earnest. I finished my meal and most of my second drink, the coffee largely forgotten. Anton graciously offered to bring some pastries in the limo with us when we set off for the day. He topped off my spicy red drink and sent me into the bedroom to get changed.
I was floating on air as I got quickly showered and dressed in the clothing provided for me. It was another wool sheath dress with matching coat, this time in a gorgeous rich camel color. It complimented my skin beautifully; I realized as I looked into the mirror. There were matching kid leather gloves, soft taupe tights and brown calf height low heeled leather boots that I did not remember trying on.
The leather was sumptuous. Everything was sumptuous. I touched the leather and wool with a sense of awed reverence. Not unlike the way Anton looked when he cupped my cheek the day before, I realized.
Somehow, everything he had purchased for me fit perfectly. It was magical. The sales women had known what they were doing, I thought with admiration.
I applied a bit of the makeup and skincare provided. It was nice to pamper myself a bit, once I got used to taking time for myself. And my skin could have gotten dry from the cool weather, as it did sometimes during the colder weather in Moscow, particularly with all the flying we were about to do.
I skipped the blush since the apples of cheeks were already pink and healthy looking. The truth was, I was glowing. I gave myself a smile and tousled my hair so it didn’t look overly styled.
With the elegant clothes and heavy gold jewelry that had been waiting for me, I could have looked stuffy or mature. Instead, the ensemble was classic and effortlessly cool.
I felt good. Really good. The spicey drinks might be helping with that, I thought with a shrug. I was having fun and enjoying myself. And I really loved the way I looked and felt when I looked in the mirror.
That was a first, and it was lovely. I felt… feminine, for lack of a better word.
I tucked my phone into a soft leather handbag that matched the boots and gloves, along with lip gloss and a small tube of hand cream. I didn’t have a wallet with me, I realized. I was completely dependent on Anton. He had my passport and all the money.
It gave me pause. I felt my stomach clench. But it passed quickly. Anton would take care of me, just as he had taken care of my father. He was a natural provider. It was in his nature to be protective of those he cared about who were not as strong or powerful.