Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I damn sure will.” Her smile widened. “When I think of my future family, I want everyone to feel heard, valued. My husband, but also my kids. I may still tell them to do what I said, but I do at least want to take the time to hear how they feel.”
I studied her.
She really could be my Mountain Mistress.
“Anyway.” She gazed at me. “Lei, you still didn’t answer me about how many kids you want.”
“I’ll have as many as you’ll give me.”
Blushing, she stopped us. “Very funny, but what’s the real answer?”
“Monique. . .” I stepped in front of her. “I really am considering you for the position of Mountain Mistress—”
“We just met—”
“Should I care about that?”
“I. . .well. . .yeah. We’re talking about a big deal. Marriage. Kids.”
“There’s no one else that I would consider.”
“Yeah but that’s only because you had your eyes on someone else for a long time. Now that she is gone, it is a new day with tons and tons of possibilities.”
“My heart doesn’t work that way.” I gazed into her eyes. “You may not believe me, but when I begin to love a woman. . .there is no room for anyone else in my heart, past or present.”
“Yes. . .there still is someone else in your heart.”
Tension gathered in my shoulders. “For now, and. . .I feel guilty about saying this, but. . .that love for her, if it was love, it’s slowly fading away.”
Monique’s breathing hitched and her lips parted slightly.
“I don’t want to hurt anymore and when I’m with you, nothing hurts. Not my heart or brain, or even my soul.” I touched my chest. “It’s like every time you are with me, you are healing me.”
“That doesn’t mean we should start having kids together. It may mean that we’re good as friends.” Her hand trembled as she reached out and gently placed it on my hand that was already on my chest.
“Still, I never thought that I would find someone like you. Someone who sees me.” I took her other hand and pulled her closer to me. “I had some time to think in these past days as I ran around, searching for her body and feeling. . .ridiculous. . .”
“It wasn’t completely ridiculous. Yan is trying to get in your head.”
“And she did, but even more by the second day, I was tired of searching for the body and mad that I had even stole it in the first place.” I swallowed. “And. . .I fucking hated being away from you. . .”
She pursed her lips together.
“I had a lot of time to think too.” My heart ached. “I realized that life was too short to hold back on love and passion. Even if I feel guilty about it. Even if. . .I’m scared.”
She moved her view to the ground, telling me that I wasn’t the only person scared between us.
“It’s time for me to start taking big leaps of faith when it comes to us and embrace the unknown.”
She trembled against me.
I could feel her heartbeat quickening, synchronized with mine, as the weight of my words settled between us.
“In fact, forget about leaping.” I raised my hand, gently touched her chin, and lifted her view back to me. “I’m going to dive into the depths of love with you.”
A mixture of longing and vulnerability flickered in her gaze. She searched my eyes as if trying to decipher the truth behind my words.
I’m in this for the win. She’ll just have to understand.
My desire for her burned like a wildfire, and I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Are you okay with that, Monique.” I leaned forward, and in one swift movement, our lips collided in a passionate kiss.
Her mouth was soft against mine, and that tongue so sweet.
Yet, I could taste her surrender too.
I groaned.
Her hands found their way to my hair, tugging at the strands with a desperate need that mirrored my own. I reveled in the sensation of her touch, the way she traced invisible patterns on my skin as if memorizing every inch of me.
Groaning, I pulled back. “We should stop now. I’m close to fast forwarding to the other parts of our date.”
“What other parts?”
I licked my lips and chuckled. “It’s all a surprise.”
Chapter twenty-seven
The First Surprise
Lei
We continued with the special tour but I quickly moved us through the palace eager to get her to my other surprises.
I showed her the ballroom with its opulent chandeliers, polished dance floor, and the sweeping views of the gardens outside.
There was also the massive dining hall—high vaulted ceilings and gold accents.
Next, I led her to the library. It was a haven for any lover of books. Towering shelves lined the walls and was stuffed with modern works. The scent of old paper and leather filled the air. In the center, a giant-sized globe stood.