Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Hey!”
I tossed it aside and wrapped my arm around her waist, lifting her off the floor as I once more pushed my hand into her hair to cup the back of her skull. My mouth fell on hers again, like a man starved.
Backing up the few steps necessary, I walked us into the steam-filled shower chamber.
Her head swung to the side when the hot water struck her exposed back. “Have I told you how much I hate you lately?”
My palm swept over her forehead to smooth her hair out of her face. “You may have mentioned it in passing.”
Ignoring my rising cock, I put her back on her feet and turned her around. Pulling her hips back so the curve of her back rubbed against my hard shaft, I reached for the shampoo.
I was determined to see to her needs and not fall on her like a rabid wolf starved of female companionship, as much as I may have wanted to. There would be plenty of time for that later.
After working a thick lather into her hair as I massaged her scalp, I tilted her head back and rinsed the soap out. Then I worked a rich conditioner into her locks. I loved how it made her long hair a silky rope.
My cock bobbed against her skin at just the thought of wrapping my fist around that rope and pulling as I entered her from behind.
With more restraint than quite honestly I thought I possessed, I resisted the urge as I reached for the sponge and the body wash.
She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Any chance you’ll let me do that myself?”
I grinned as I pumped body wash into the organic sponge and squeezed to generate the suds. “What do you think?”
After wrapping her in a large towel and handing her an extra one for her hair, I retrieved two terrycloth robes from the linen closet and held one out for her.
She slipped her arms in the sleeves and belted it tightly before wrapping the towel around her hair like a turban. “Now what?”
“Now we eat.”
I ushered her back down the hall to the dining room where the restaurant staff had laid out brunch while we were in the shower.
She placed her hands on her hips while she surveyed the round sterling silver chafer with Eggs Benedict, the crystal dish filled with crushed ice to nestle the smaller crystal bowl of caviar, the fresh cut fruit, the other sterling silver chafer with crispy hash browns, and the platter of bacon and sausages. All artfully arranged around a massive vase of white roses on my dining table.
I reached for the carafe of fresh orange juice and poured a small amount into two champagne flutes before grabbing the bottle of White Star Champagne. “Sit.”
She primly took a seat in one of the black velvet, high-backed upholstered chairs. “Just because I’m hungry and prefer this to hospital food doesn’t make this a win for you.”
The champagne cork popped and fizzed over the edge as I tilted the bottle to fill the flutes. “Noted.”
Lifting both flutes, I handed one to her and said, “V den’ nashey svad’by.”
She lifted the flute to her lips, then paused. With narrowed, glinting green eyes, she asked, “What did you just say?”
Strictly speaking, I’d said, ‘To our wedding day.’ I smiled and lied. “I said to your health.”
After giving me a wary look, she drank.
Another win.
Damn, I was on a roll today.
Since I knew that wouldn’t last, especially with what I had planned, I decided to enjoy the moment. Lifting her plate, I dished out a serving of everything offered before getting my own.
As we ate, the elevator pinged. Low murmuring voices carried into the dining room from the hall.
Vivian turned in her chair as her hand went to her towel turban. “Who’s here?”
“It’s just my staff dropping off some clothes for you.”
“I thought you said your staff brought my clothes from my apartment.”
“They did. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to provide a few additional things.”
Specifically something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
She twirled the champagne flute as it rested on the table. “I can’t be bought. I’m not marrying you, Var. I’m sure you’re exaggerating about the threats. Besides, it’s not like any of those mafia syndicates know my identity.”
I paused as I lifted a piece of watermelon to my lips. “Yet.”
Her brow furrowed. “What?”
Wiping my mouth after chewing, I leaned back in my chair and studied her. “They don’t know your identity… yet.”
Her fork clattered to the china plate. “You’d out me?”
“In a heartbeat.”
She tossed her napkin on the table and rose. “So much for wanting to protect me. I’m out of here.”
Launching out of my chair, I pinned her against the wall. “This is me protecting you. Without my name, you’re as good as dead.”