Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 48585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“I’m taking care of it,” he assures me with a smile that leaves lingering questions. “You don’t need to worry. I promised you I would protect you.”
“That doesn’t exactly answer my question,” I frown. “Luc, I can’t stay locked up inside this hotel suite forever. This is no way to live. I feel like I’m still being imprisoned by Leonardo’s hold over me, even though he’s not here and I’m not trapped inside his estate.”
“I know,” he sighs. “And I promise that I’m working on it. But for now, let’s get some rest, okay? I think we could both use it.”
I wait for him to leave again, almost as soon as he’s gotten here, but to my surprise, Luc turns and walks towards the bedroom.
“Coming?” he asks as he holds out his hand to me.
“Wait, you’re staying the night?” I ask as I try not to get my hopes up.
“Yes.”
It’s the first night that we’ve slept in the same bed, wrapped around each other as I nestle into Luc’s arms until the morning sun appears over the top of the buildings on the Vegas Strip. And it’s the first night in more nights than I can remember that I’ve slept so soundly I almost don’t want to wake up. If I could snapshot tonight and keep it forever, I would.
CHAPTER 6
LUC
Iknow it’s difficult for Valentina to be kept inside the hotel suite for several days in a row. I feel bad for her, having gone from one place of confinement to another, but this time, it’s for her own safety. So far, Leonardo hasn’t made his move, but I know it’s just a matter of time before he does. He’s not a man who will just let this go. He’ll come for her, or me, or all of us. Until then, I need to make sure that Valentina stays safe. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to make things easier on her in the meantime. I don’t want her thinking that I’m just like Leonardo. So, I came up with an idea—a romantic dinner date in the hotel room to make up for both her inability to go out and for all the time that the two of us have missed together during the past several years.
“What is all this?” she asks with surprise when I arrive back at the hotel suite with my arms laden with bags.
“It’s a surprise. Go take a nice relaxing bath, and when you’re finished, the surprise will be ready.”
Valentina looks at me with suspicion, unsure of what I’m up to. But after assuring her it’s something good to look forward to, she gives me a small peck on the cheek and then turns to go draw herself a nice bath. Unlike Leonardo Conti’s cold estate, the luxurious and comfortable suite at the top of Vincent’s flagship hotel offers a welcome change of scenery. And right now, I intend to make it even nicer.
After hearing the bath water stop and giving it a few minutes to make sure she will not come out and ruin the surprise, I set everything up. In half an hour, fine dining will arrive, and I’ve already packed candles, flowers, and an expensive bottle of champagne for our romantic in-house date. I even picked up a fine linen tablecloth and asked the hotel staff to bring up a few artificial greenery topiaries to make it look like a candlelit picnic outside. The hotel staff delivered the topiaries, and I had already laid out the food when I heard Valentina drain the tub. I light the candles, pour the champagne, and wait for her to emerge.
Her face, as soon as she appears at the end of the hallway and sees what I’ve done, is the best reward I could’ve asked for. Valentina’s eyes light up with surprise, and her smile spreads all the way to her high cheekbones.
“This is incredible!” she gasps as she walks toward me, still smiling. “But why did you do all of this?”
“I wanted to make up for missed time,” I say as I hand her a champagne glass that is still fizzling with tiny, popping bubbles. “And I wanted you to feel like this isn’t such a terrible place to stay in for a little while longer.”
She takes the glass and smiles.
I offer her my hand, and we both take a seat to enjoy the aesthetic that I’ve created for our nice dinner. After a few bites of tasty food, and a few moments of enjoying the cozy, romantic atmosphere, conversation once again flows naturally between us. It’s rather incredible how, even after all the time we spent apart, it feels like we are right back in that first moment at that first gala, as if we haven’t missed a beat. She’s the only one in the world with whom I’m unguarded. The only person who I can reveal my deepest thoughts and feelings, even my fears and vulnerabilities. It’s as if the words just flow from my usually carefully constrained tongue without her even having to press me about anything. There’s a sense of freedom between us—free to be who we truly are with each other. And I can tell by how Valentina opens up to me as well that she feels the same way. She’s emotionally intuitive and deeply empathetic, and the more that we talk, the more I can see a subtle boldness and courage within her that is trying to emerge.