Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 57121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
He kisses my neck, groaning. “I love you,” he snarls. “Fuck. Fuck. I love you so damn much.”
I say it again, rocking my hips faster, the room filling with the wet, sexy noises of our bodies. He fucks me fast and hard and deep, the bed protesting, but we can’t stop.
The declaration of love – so much sweeter because it was earned, real – adds to the pleasure.
I can’t take it anymore.
I drag my fingernails down his chest as the orgasm makes me quiver all over, my toes curling, my vision bursting white.
He arches up as he comes, staring down at me, directly into my eyes. I grip his face, cradling his cheeks, watching his eyes as his body tightens in desire. He explodes, then falls aside, pulling me into his arms.
“I love you,” he says again, breathing hard.
“I love you too,” I whisper, kissing him on his sweaty chest. I feel teary-eyed, flooded with emotion. “I never want to stop being your light.”
He smiles down at me, looking like the happiest man alive.
Maksim
At one AM, Anton calls me.
I pull on my robe, kissing Lia on the cheek and taking a moment to look down at her. She’s bundled up in the sheets, so beautiful, her hair fanned across the pillow. I kiss her again, then walk to the windows, looking over the city of secrets.
“How’s it going down there?” I ask.
Anton is my eyes and ears on the ground, keeping watch on Nikolai. I still don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to speak with him.
“He is doing well,” Anton says begrudgingly. “Finally making some progress. He isn’t sad over the girl anymore.”
I swallow, trying to switch off my emotions when it comes to my baby brother. Rachael and Mikey, the people he risked everything for, have moved to the West Coast to be with their family. After suffering at the hands of Conrad and his men, they didn’t want anything to do with this world anymore.
“Good,” I say, making my voice hard.
“Three nightclubs, and we have a profit. Nearly.”
“That’s good.”
“Nikolai has found an information pipeline. He works eighteen hours a day. These men like to talk to waitresses and other staff. They are morons, boss. I think Nikolai wants to be a better man. I think he can make something of himself here.”
I smile, nodding. That’s something. And the fact Anton is speaking of him like this – Anton, who would’ve happily put a bullet in his head – is everything.
“Keep watching,” I say, hanging up.
I'm still conflicted, but I don’t need to think about that now. Instead, I return to the woman who floods me with certainty. For a moment, I just watch her, like I did last year, watch her and think about how blessed I am.
THE END