Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Give those to me,” he growls. His voice is thick with a primal power that assures me he’s the type of man that’s used to getting his way. He’s the type of man that just looks at a stack of bills, and they pay themselves.
“Let her go.” Jess starts my way, but again, I wave her off as Erik slowly swivels his head, looking toward Jess, then me.
His jaw flexes, his nose just crooked enough to give him that ruddy sexiness that seems to have embedded itself into my fantasies, because all I can think about with his hand on my wrist is him holding them above my head while he pushes inside of me.
“Jess, why don’t you go for a walk. This is between me and him.”
“I didn’t catch your name…” She tips her head toward the door for me to go, but Erik grabs the stack of papers from my hand, rolls them into a tube, flattening it, before shoving it into the inside pocket of his jacket.
“You don’t have to pay any more bills,” he says, running the tips of his fingers under my chin. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re why I’m here.”
Jess slumps back onto the couch with a shake of her head. “I told you not to do this,” she mutters, her fingers pressing into her eyes.
“Jess, it’s okay. This is Magnus’s brother, Erik. I didn’t want to tell you that the other day. Not until I figured out what to do.”
“And what did you figure out?” she says, her eyes now on Erik. “You want something from my niece in exchange for you helping me not lose my house? Is that it?” She shakes her head, “No, no, no. Andrea, that is not happening.”
“She’s made me an offer I can’t refuse. I’m just here to collect.”
I rest my hand on my belly, trying to settle the fluttering inside, ashamed that deep down I hoped this would happen. I wanted him to come, to save us, because we’ve exhausted all other options at this point. And although I’ve never been one to dream of a white knight riding in to save the day, I want what this man can offer.
Choices. Freedom.
Except, maybe that’s not what he’s offering. Maybe he’s controlling and selfish. Maybe he will take away all my choices and only give me the freedom he deems fit.
Even with that, somehow with him, it feels like what I want. To let him take control, take away the choices and the responsibilities and just make everything right again.
“You can tear down the house. Blow it back to God if you want. You’re not taking her. Not if I have any say.” Jess crosses her thin arms, her voice hard but tired. Erik answers with a sniff, turning back to me, his eyes dancing with mine for a moment before he speaks, ignoring Jess’s protests.
“Your house won’t be torn down. I’ll make sure of that.”
Jess’s eyes plead with me, but I can’t deny the thrill of bartering myself for our cause. It’s a bit tawdry and surreal, but how dangerous can he be?
For a moment, I wish I had figured out how to call Cassie. Interrogate her a little more about the Leonard men. I told myself it was because they were on some remote adventure in South America, and I didn’t want to bother her, but the truth is, I like the feeling of danger and uncertainty.
I don’t doubt that his careful and protective text messages are only one part of this powerful man. Behind them, I know what he will want, and for the first time, it’s something I want to give.
Something I managed to not give to anyone else. I’ve made some wildly bad choices when it came to boyfriends in the past, but even so, there was only so much I was willing to give, no matter how much they pushed. It was my leverage. My power over them. And now I’m using it, because I want something, yes, and at the same time, I want him to take it.
I’ve worked my whole life. From babysitting when I was thirteen, to shoveling snow, to working at the ice cream shop when I turned sixteen. I’ve waited tables and washed dishes. My mom was always running from one potential rich man to the next, promising our life would be different if only she could land her own white whale.
She’s still fishing, and I’m still working.
But I think with this man, I’m the bait, and this is the whale that’s about to swallow me whole.
Erik’s hand finds the back of my neck, pulling me forward in a possessive squeeze.
“You said you would do anything.” His lips and warm breath brush against my ear.
“And what does anything mean to you?” I ask with a shiver, wanting to know the answer but scared it’s not what I have to give.