Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
The ocean breeze sends chills throughout my body, but I revel in the rare cool evening since South Florida doesn’t have enough of these types of nights.
I step out onto the deck and lean against the railing, inhaling the salty air. I close my eyes, and I’m taking a calming breath when a strong pair of arms wraps around me from behind, making me jump.
“Shh, it’s just me,” Kane says. “You seemed upset in there, and when I went in search of you and couldn’t find you, I got worried.”
“Don’t worry.” I chuckle humorlessly. “I’m not going anywhere. I have nowhere to go.”
Kane spins me around and looks down at me, his eyes trying to read me.
“What’s the matter?” he asks when he doesn’t find whatever it is he was looking for.
“Noth—”
“Don’t lie to me.”
His tone sounds like he actually wants the truth, so I decide to give it to him.
“I’m a closet romantic,” I admit with a small laugh. “I love weddings and romance books. I always thought when I got married, it would be for love. When I was little and my dad locked me in my room for being bad, I would play with my Barbies—the ones I kept hidden so my dad wouldn’t find them—pretending she met the man of her dreams and he swept her off her feet. They would fall in love and get married on the beach. It would be an intimate wedding with a red-and-black theme because I loved red roses. And only their closest friends and family would be there to witness them vow to love each other forever.
“Then, after a few years of traveling and enjoying each other’s company, they would have a half-dozen babies and live in a house on the beach, and he would love her more than anything in this world.”
My eyes fill with tears, and I turn away from Kane, not wanting him to see me so vulnerable. Thankfully, he lets me, and for the next few minutes, I quietly cry as I accept that my life will never be like my Barbies.
“I got you an engagement present,” he says.
“Another gigantic ring?” I half joke.
“No,” he says dryly. “The Pilates studio is yours.”
I spin around in shock. “What?” I gasp. “What do you mean, it’s mine?”
He pulls an envelope out of his tuxedo coat and hands it to me. “I had my legal team look over the contract, and the papers are ready to be signed, if this is what you want.”
I slowly take the envelope out of his hand and open it, and inside is a contract between me and the seller for North Harbor Point Pilates.
“You bought me the Pilates studio?” I whisper.
“No.” He shakes his head. “I made it to where you can buy it with your money.”
I choke on a sob.
Most women would want a man to buy it for them, but Kane knew I needed this for myself. I need to purchase it with my own money, so it’s something no one can take away from me. It’s why I didn’t go to my brothers. They would’ve bulldozed right over me, buying it as their company and giving it to me to run. Their hearts would’ve been in the right place, but that’s not want I wanted … what I needed.
“Thank you,” I tell him, my hands trembling with emotion. “This … this means so much to me.”
“I know you have your brothers, but if you need any help while you’re figuring it all out, I’m here,” Kane says. “I might not be your dream husband, but I’d like to think I’m a knowledgeable businessman.”
He hits me with a lopsided grin, and for the first time, I wonder if maybe it’s possible to have everything I dreamed of with Kane.
He might not love me the way my brothers love their wives, but what he just did for me speaks volumes. I shared my dreams with him, and instead of telling me I was stupid—like Andrey would’ve done to my mom—he not only listened, but he made one of them come true.
“Thank you,” I say again, reaching up and palming his cheek. “This is the best present I’ve ever been given.”
I press my lips to his to give him a quick kiss. Only the moment our mouths connect, I crave more. Later, I’m going to blame my sexual desperation on the lack of connection I’ve had recently mixed with my emotions being in hyperdrive, thanks to Kane’s selfless gift. But right now, my only thought is how soft yet strong his lips feel against mine.
His hand comes up, and his fingers delve into my hair as he deepens the kiss, and I part my lips, welcoming it.
Our lips curl around one another, and when mine part, his tongue slides in, finding mine. He tastes like whiskey and control, and before I can stop it, a moan escapes from the back of my throat.