Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
I couldn’t explain why I took such an interest in Haven, but as I stare at her, I realize the answer is simple. I want to own her. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than her. She’s a fucking work of art.
Up until now, I’ve poured all my energy into work, but for the first time in my life, I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to force her to marry me, and with time, she’ll warm up to me.
I want Haven Romano because every inch of her calls to me.
A faint red blemish on her jaw draws my attention, and it reminds me of when Mattia backhanded her.
“I apologize for my man hitting you. It will never happen again.”
“I just want to go home,” she whispers, her voice hoarse and making it sound like she’s close to tears.
I struggle to keep my tone soft as I say, “Stop asking me to let you go. That’s not going to happen.” Again, I glance over the open space of the foyer before settling my attention back on her. “The sooner we get to know each other, the better. You can ask me anything.”
Haven refuses to look at me as she mutters, “I seriously don’t want to know what’s your favorite color and whether you enjoy walks on your private beach that’s covered with the bodies of your enemies.” Her jaw clenches. “I don’t want to know anything about you.”
Gesù Cristo, she’s going to make me work my ass off just to get to know her, never mind winning her over.
“What’s your favorite color?” I ask the first question that comes to mind.
She shakes her head before her eyes settle on me. A stubborn expression ghosts over her face, and I expect her to refuse to answer me, but then she replies, “Pink.”
“What do you like to do in your spare time?” I ask another question.
She glances down, rubbing over her forehead with her fingertips, and it makes me realize how slender they are. Her hands are probably half the size of mine.
I wonder if the ring will fit.
I hear her suck in a deep breath. “I’ve already told you I like to read.” Lifting her head again, she looks tired. “Can we not do this? No matter how much we get to know each other, it won't make me trust you. We’re complete opposites and from different worlds.”
“You’ll get used to my world,” I mutter. Suddenly, a thought pops into my mind, and I ask, “Do you speak Italian?”
She lets out a huff. “Very little. When you talk fast, I don’t understand a thing, so you don’t have to worry. I have no idea what you and the other man were speaking about earlier.”
“That’s not why I asked. My housekeeper doesn’t understand English.” I lean back against the couch and stretch my legs out, crossing them at the ankles. “Her name is Sofia. She comes in on Tuesdays and Fridays and only works until three pm.” Haven glances at the scenic view of the ocean, not commenting on what I just said. A few minutes pass before I ask, “Can you cook?”
She lets out a sigh. “I can make the basics, so if you expect me to cook for you, you better be okay with grilled cheese sandwiches.”
I let out a chuckle, which has her eyes snapping to my face. “When I’m home, I’ll make the food. I just don’t want you to starve when I’m busy or away for work.”
She sits up a bit straighter. “Are you away often?”
“Yes.”
When there’s a flicker of relief on her face, I wonder if I should give her space to adjust to everything.
“Are you an introvert or extrovert?” I ask.
Haven goes back to looking uncomfortable with all the questions I’m asking. “I’m a little of both.”
For a moment, silence fills the air while I just stare at her, taking in how fucking exquisite she is.
Wanting to know more about the fucker who cheated on her, I ask, “So you dated an idiot for four years? What was the relationship like?”
A frown forms on her forehead, and I can see she doesn’t want to answer me, but when I continue to stare at her, she gives in. “It was like any other relationship.”
“How did you meet?”
She lets out another huff. “We met at school. He was busy with his second year studying business. Once he graduated and started working, he met someone else and they hit it off.”
Haven wraps her arms around her, giving me the impression she’s cold.
“Is the aircon too cold for you?”
Her eyes flit to me. “Your house feels like a freezer.”
I get up and walk to the panel that’s situated on the wall behind Haven. While I adjust the temperature, I ask, “And before the idiot? Do you have other exes in your past?”