Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 72969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Her breath hitches as I run my fingers up her side to cup her breast through her bra. She gasps into my mouth and clings to me tighter as I move my thumb over her hardened nipple.
I’m ready, so ready.
This isn’t the first time I’ve fucked in my parents’ house, but the first time in the kitchen.
I give her nipple a pinch—
She gasps and pushes me away.
“Daniela?”
“I’m sorry.” She runs her fingers through her hair, loosening it from its messy bun.
It falls against her shoulders.
God, she’s fucking beautiful.
“This is my fault,” she says. “I… I shouldn’t have let it go this far. I’m… I’m a married woman, after all.”
I smile and caress her cheek. “Vinnie is your husband in name only. He and Raven are home by now, probably in bed. As much as I don’t relish the thought of what he’s doing to my sister…I know he’s doing it.”
She nods. “I know. And I’m fine with it.”
“Then…?”
“I just…” She hops off the counter and adjusts her sweatshirt. “I’m sorry I gave you the wrong idea. But I… I have too much respect for the institution of marriage to be unfaithful to my husband.”
“But your marriage isn’t a real marriage,” I remind her.
She sighs and walks a few steps away before turning back to face me. “I’ve done enough damage to marriage already.” she says.
“What do you mean?”
She’s silent a moment, looking away.
“Daniela, sweetheart. You can talk to me. I swear to God, I would never hurt you. Hell, I’d never hurt any woman.”
She nods. “I know. It’s just… This is hard to say.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.”
“I want to,” she says. “I need to.” Again, a pause. “My father… He made me…entertain his friends and associates.”
For a moment the words don’t quite sink in. They hang there, weightless and meaningless, like the calm before the storm. My brain scrambles to catch up, but everything feels muffled, like I’ve been plunged underwater.
Until they smack me in the head.
And when they do, the floor drops out from under me.
Rage surges through me.
I knew Daniela didn’t have an easy life in Colombia, that she was only seventeen when she married Vinnie and came here to the States.
“They were all married,” she says. “Or most of them were. Not that it mattered to any of them.”
“Daniela…” I step toward her.
She steps away.
“Please don’t be afraid of me,” I say.
She shakes her head. “I’m not. Which is surprising, but I’m truly not.”
“I won’t do anything you don’t want,” I say. “And if I’d known…”
“I’m afraid of me,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “I’m afraid of losing myself before I’m ready for it.”
The raw pain in her dark eyes cuts me to my core.
“Daniela…” I reach out to touch her face.
She flinches but doesn’t pull away this time.
Her skin is like silk as I caress her cheek. “You’re not losing yourself. You’ve been through hell and you’re still standing.”
She looks at me through her long black lashes. “I’m not sure if I believe that.”
“Well, you should,” I tell her firmly. “Because it’s true.”
I don’t push her anymore as we stand in silence. She’s so close I can smell the lingering scent of the coffee on her lips.
“Daniela,” I say finally, breaking the silence, “we don’t have to rush anything.”
She nods slowly. “Thank you, Hawk. I appreciate your understanding.”
“And Daniela?” I add, my voice softening.
“Yes?”
“You’re stronger than you think. When you’re ready to explore that strength, I’ll be here.”
She gives me a small nod, the corners of her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Yet she manages to return my smile.
“I should go,” she whispers.
I help her off the counter and walk her to the door in silence. We don’t say much else as we reach her car parked in the driveway. Drawing a deep breath, I lean in and press a chaste kiss to her forehead before pulling away.
“Call me if you need anything,” I tell her as I open the car door for her and give her my cell phone number.
“I will,” she promises before slipping inside.
I stand there as she drives away, her taillights disappearing down the long driveway.
As I walk back inside the quiet house, I notice a text message.
From Daniela.
A kissy face emoji.
My dick gets even harder.
16
DANIELA
Three years earlier…
My maid set a dress for me on my bed.
It’s new…and tiny and revealing. It’s candy-apple red, and the fabric shimmers as it catches the light. The plunging neckline and thigh-high slit promise lots of skin. Lots of my skin.
I stare at it, bile rising in my throat.
“Señorita Daniela, your father instructed that you wear this tonight,” Consuelo tells me, her gaze lowered to the floor.
Why isn’t she looking at me? Is she afraid I’ll see the pity in her eyes?
My hands shake as I reach for the dress, the glossy fabric cool against my skin.