Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
They were on their way to a charity ball organized by the de Konighs’ non-profit arm, but unlike most other events they attended together, Shane would be joining them as well.
When Serenity faced him, her usual composed mask had fallen into place, and her voice was polite as she murmured, “Of course.”
She started to turn away but he didn’t let her, taking hold of her hand and yanking her back to him. “You may not like your sister—-”
Serenity flushed at the way the billionaire made her sound so foolishly caught up with childish squabbles. “I’m not the one who dislikes her,” she pointed out with dignity. “It’s Shane who dislikes me.”
“Of course,” he said soothingly. “I misspoke—-”
She tried pushing him away, but it was like going against a brick wall. “I know when you’re just humoring me, Mr. de Konigh,” she muttered even as she finally allowed him to cage her in his arms. “And you’re doing it now.”
He smiled against her hair. “Am I?” Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, he murmured, “You know my hands are tied. Invitations had been sent out long ago, and your sister received hers because the charity assumed she would be coming as my date. If I backed out now, she would be suspicious, and you know it.”
Serenity still refused to speak.
Still smiling, he placed a sweet, short kiss on her mouth, murmuring against her lips, “You know I’m right, engel. Your sister is no idiot. She would know the moment she stepped inside the car that we have been doing things a boss shouldn’t be doing with his intern.” He paused. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”
She bit her lip, then blurted out, “Unless you’ve changed your mind, too?” He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. He pulled away at her words, and when she saw the shuttered look that had fallen on the billionaire’s face, her fists clenched on her lap in frustration.
“I don’t understand you, Willem.” Looking at him suddenly made her want to tear up, and she hastily averted her gaze towards the windows. “You want everyone to know we’re together, but you don’t want to make love to me.”
Willem didn’t answer.
“Can’t you tell me why?”
But Willem remained silent, determined not to let her know the truth when he was certain it would only hurt her. Serenity was too young to understand that his forbearance – which was killing him – was for her own good.
She might have forgotten the years that separated them, but he hadn’t. She was only nineteen years old, with the rest of her life to look forward to while his was about halfway done. He did not want to tie her with him until she was absolutely sure she would not mind marrying a man who could give her everything except his heart.
They had been secretly seeing each other for several months now, and while the time he spent with Serenity in his arms were the best days of his life, he also knew that it could not – would not – last forever.
In half a year’s time, her gap year would end, and she would start fresh in college. She would meet boys her age, and he would have to let her go to spread her wings. Even now, he knew it would kill him to set his angel free, but Willem was just as certain he would be able to do it.
She had to have time away from him and find out on her own if a life with him was what she really wanted.
And if it was, a voice inside him asked mockingly.
Willem took a deep breath. If it was, then he would have a ring on her finger faster than she could blink. Because he knew now. In fact, he was absolutely certain. Serenity Raleigh was his perfect match, the only woman he could imagine growing old with.
But right now, he was hurting that very woman, too.
He hadn’t known it until it was too late. As the car slowed to a stop, he heard the tiniest sound from her—-
Serenity, trying to swallow back a sob.
Willem’s chest constricted.
Goddammit.
He started to reach for her, but then the door opened, and Serenity moved to sit on the opposite row with clumsy haste just as her older sister slid inside the limousine.
“I couldn’t wait,” Shane said gaily as she took her place next to the billionaire. As soon as the door closed, she reached for Willem to kiss him. He started to turn away, but she didn’t let him, murmuring throatily, “It’s just my sister.” She giggled. “She won’t tell the queen.”
Serenity heard the two kiss, and slowly she forced herself to look at the pair.
Willem’s eyes were open, and his gaze was on her even while Serenity’s sister was kissing him.