Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
She nibbled her lip. “I’m so sorry for the trouble he has caused.”
“It is not your fault.”
This made her laugh.
“Do you blame yourself for what he’s done?”
“How could I not? There must have been something I did wrong for him to act this way. My parents were there with me until I was eighteen, and I’ve turned out okay. I was left with an eleven-year-old kid, and he’s become a drug-taking … person.” She didn’t know what to say about Nigel.
“You shouldn’t blame yourself.”
“No?”
“No. It wouldn’t matter if you had given him the perfect loving home, with both parents. People turn out the way they do, and it’s on them. Simple.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple.”
“I doubt every person who committed murder did it because of their parents.” He shrugged. “You shouldn’t blame yourself for his mistakes. He’s eighteen. From what I can see, you provided for him. Gave him a loving home. Some sisters would have dumped their brothers in the system. You didn’t.”
That was true.
She had been advised that she might not be up to the challenge of dealing with her brother, but she’d told them no. Her parents had always told her to take care of her little brother, and that’s exactly what she did. It was why she was sitting opposite a man who was a known monster, but she was going to have dinner with him, become his personal sex toy, to save Nigel.
Faith had no idea what she was going to do when she saw her brother again. She was a little thankful that Gabriel wouldn’t allow her to see him. Her disappointment in him was at an all-time high.
The waiter returned with their food. The meatballs and pasta looked delicious. There was not a single speck of sauce on the plate, but the pasta was mounded high, and meatballs seemed to be nestled into the mound. Her mouth watered at the scents of the sauce and the meat. It had been a long time since anyone cooked for her.
Gabriel had opted for the steak, potatoes, and onion gravy, with some vegetables. His food looked good, but she was a pasta lover.
She sliced through a meatball first and took a bite. Hints of beef, onion, garlic, and some herbs exploded on her tongue, and she loved it. The sauce was so flavorful. Each mouthful didn’t seem to have enough. She loved good food. Her mother had been an amazing cook. Faith hadn’t thought about her mother’s food in some time.
“Is it good?” Gabriel asked.
“The best.” She pierced a meatball and didn’t care if he’d tried it before, she was offering some of her food. “Try a piece.” She expected him to tell her no, but then he opened his lips and took a bite. She watched as he closed his eyes and agreed it was delicious.
He offered her some steak, and she wasn’t interested in his food, but to be polite, she took a bite. It was shockingly peppery, and it worked with the meatiness of the steak. So good.
They finished their meal, and Faith realized she wasn’t even stuffed.
Gabriel ordered dessert. Two chocolate mousses. She wanted to decline. To get the meal over with.
“Have you been on many dates?” Gabriel asked.
“No. Have you?” She wanted to keep the conversation flowing. The truth was, she didn’t have a clue what to talk to this man about.
“No.”
She nodded. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d been with a lot of women. She had a feeling, with his tall, muscular, and somewhat dangerous-looking persona, the women flocked to him. They wanted a chance with the “bad boy.” Though, Gabriel was far from being just a boy. He was all man.
“Your brother made a claim about you, Faith.”
“That I was a virgin,” she said.
“Is it true?”
She was tempted to lie, but what good would come from that lie? He’d find out soon enough.
“Yes.”
“You’re a virgin?”
“Yes.”
The waiter brought their mousse to them. Picking up the spoon, she scooped a small amount onto it, and took a bite. Why couldn’t the food have been awful? So far, every single part of the meal could have been the perfect place for a date. She was not dating Gabriel.
“Does this change anything?” she asked.
“No.”
“But, aren’t you, like, used to women who know what they’re doing?” She didn’t have a clue what she was doing. She hated how hot her cheeks felt.
“The good thing about sex, Faith, is that it can be taught. Think of it like driving a car. No one has taught you any bad habits. You’re a clean slate and I’m going to teach you everything you need to know.”
There was a promise in his voice. Her virgin status didn’t affect him. If anything, it seemed to have made her more of a prize.
Faith knew she should hate him, or at least be embarrassed or disgusted by him, but she wasn’t. Much to her shame, she was even more intrigued by him, and that wasn’t good.