Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Nolan brushes his fingers down the side of my neck and down my arm until he reaches my hand. My horror grows when a smile tugs at his mouth.
“The first time I saw you, I knew we were meant to be together.”
Oh God. No.
He gives me a loving smile that’s nothing short of creepy. “You feel it too, right?”
I remain frozen, unsure of how I should handle this situation.
“When I heard your father wanted you to marry the arms dealer, I had to step in.” His other hand rubs up and down my arm.
I thought he was kidnapping me for a ransom, but seeing the love-crazed expression in his eyes has my terror turning into something so intense I can’t process it.
His fingers squeeze mine tightly while he leans a little forward. “We can finally be together.”
My breaths continue to burst over my dry lips as I stare at him in horror.
Nolan climbs to his feet, and moving closer to me, he pulls me up before wrapping me in a gentle hug. Keeping one arm locked around my back, he brushes his other palm over my hair.
His tone is downright creepy as he murmurs, “You’re so innocent and beautiful. Now that I have you, I’ll never let you go.”
My mind keeps racing, my heart thundering against my ribs while another wave of nausea rolls over me.
How do I get out of this insane situation?
What would Grace do?
Chapter 2
CIARA
My mind is all over the place, my emotions a turbulent mess as I watch Nolan open the fridge and say, “We should be good for two weeks, so I won’t have to leave you alone anytime soon.”
What does this man want with me?
Is he going to torture and kill me?
God, I can’t process any of the shock!
He glances at me from over his shoulder. “Are you hungry?”
With jerky movements, I shake my head, my heart thundering against my ribs.
My body is wound so tight that my muscles are starting to ache. My tongue darts out to wet my lips, my voice hoarse when I ask, “Can I have water?”
A smile spreads over his face, and because he looks less threatening right now, I take a good look at my captor.
He has strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes, and his skin is covered with hundreds of light freckles. On the taller side, Nolan is regular-looking, and when he smiles, he actually seems normal.
I watch as he pours water into a glass, and when he walks toward me, I lift my hand to take it, but he shakes his head.
When he reaches his other hand out to me, I pull away, giving him a cautious look.
“Hold still,” he murmurs, his tone actually sounding affectionate.
With every inch of me on guard, I struggle to keep from moving as he places his hand behind my head before bringing the glass to my mouth.
What the hell?
“Drink, my love.”
I begin to tremble again, and filled with a world of confusion, my lips part, and I take a few sips.
Satisfaction bleeds over Nolan’s face, his pupils dilating as he watches me drink.
Fear creeps over my body, and I fist my hands together on my lap, the tension in me building to breaking point.
After he sets the glass down, he brushes his other palm over my hair. Then he leans closer, and my eyes snap shut as he presses a kiss to my forehead.
“You’re perfect,” he whispers. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Unable to move a muscle, I sit frozen, my breaths bursting over my lips.
I hear the other chair scraping over the floor, and opening my eyes, it’s to see Nolan taking a seat right in front of me.
For a moment, he stares at me with so much adoration it actually looks like he loves me.
I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
He raises his hand to my face, sending another wave of fear trembling through me.
God.
Resting his palm against my cheek, he continues to stare at me for torturously long minutes before he says, “You’re so perfect, Ciara.” A smile curves his mouth again. “And all mine.”
There’s a sinking feeling in my gut as I stare at him.
Because he seems calm, I take a chance to beg, “Please don’t hurt me.”
Tilting his head, he gives me a loving smile. “I won’t punish you unless you try to escape or disobey me. Just be the sweet, innocent woman I know you are, and everything will be fine.”
His words have my body tensing even more and fear pouring through my veins.
My thoughts immediately go to Grace and her marriage to Brayden. He forced himself on her, and I saw how it broke her.
Grace is so much stronger than me, though.
I’m not sure I’ll survive being raped.
My chin trembles and tears rush to my eyes.
“Hey…” he coos as he leans closer, caressing my cheek and the side of my head. “Shh…”