Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Now,” he drawls, “I would’ve suggested my place—”
“Cut it out, Reino,” Dante grumbles.
The smile that curves his lips is panty-dropping hot. “See you later, firecracker.”
Jazz mumbles something I hope Noah didn’t hear.
When it’s time to go home, Noah takes Dante’s hand on one side and mine on the other, looking very pleased with himself as he walks between us. He smiles at Dante and then at me, oblivious to the strained atmosphere between us.
A memory from my childhood comes back to me. I was walking just like this between my mom and Leander. It was my first day of school. My mom was so proud. Leander didn’t like the attention she gave me. He was jealous because he’d been the only child Mom had driven to school before then.
To retaliate, he’d pinched my side so hard I had a bruise for days to come. I didn’t tell my mom because Leander would’ve only hurt me worse for telling on him.
What hits me about the memory is how my father had never been present in my life. His seat was empty at all my school plays and even at my graduation ceremony. I always believed he’d been too busy to attend the events that were important to me. I thought he only concerned himself with Leander’s education because I was a girl, and in my father’s book, mothers took care of their girls. He never got involved in my upbringing except for dictating who I had to marry. I reckoned he loved me in his own kind of quiet, absent way. I realized too late he simply didn’t care.
Dante and I don’t speak about the subject of my pregnancy again. Noah wants Jazz, Dante, and me to play his new games with him on Sunday. In the afternoon, Jazz and I pack, using the new suitcases Dante has bought. I’m only taking care of the task because I don’t want Reino or Ulysses to pack my underwear. Dante didn’t hesitate to tell me his men would pack up, so whether I refused or not didn’t faze him.
Noah helps, but it’s more of a game to him where he gets to show off his new clothes. He even asked Dante if he could have a suit like the one Dante was wearing. I didn’t hear Dante’s answer. Although Dante is always fashionably dressed, I don’t want Noah to imitate his father because it won’t end with the clothes. Noah will mimic his behavior and actions too.
Dante gets to read him one of the new books when we put him to bed. As soon as he’s asleep, Dante takes me to the bedroom we share and locks the door.
The sex is wild and punishing, maybe because he didn’t like how I challenged him earlier. I lie beneath him in nothing but a T-shirt, letting him spank me with his belt and fuck me with his fingers, tongue, and cock. I scream orgasm after orgasm out behind the hand he slams over my mouth to contain my sounds, my pleasure knowing no bounds, but since my revelation during our shopping spree, I only hate him with a deeper intensity. For letting him touch me and bringing me pleasure, I hate myself even more.
However, we seemed to have fallen into this pattern of depravity, both of us craving the other and loathing that we do. The moment he puts his hands or his mouth on me, my body always outweighs my mind. Thankfully, the moment only lasts so long.
When I set out to do the little handing over ceremony with my client on Monday, Dante comes with me. It’s just a quick presentation of the work I’ve done to show the owner where to find everything so she doesn’t have to look for items when I’m gone. As I don’t meet with the client while I’m working, I also use the opportunity to return her key. Usually, this is when I’d ask for a referral, but as I’m leaving Denver, I don’t bother.
She gives me the balance of the payment for my service in cash, which I split fifty-fifty with Jazz despite my friend’s protests. She earned that money. Besides, I still owe her for the flight ticket.
Dante tells me he’s proud of the job I’ve done, even looking as if he means it. His men drive away the last of the trash. I leave the recycling bins for the owner, having labeled them in case she forgets how to separate her recyclable trash, which she told me she’s never done.
And then we’re in a private jet on our way to New York City. Dante shows Noah the cockpit. The pilot lets him sit in the copilot chair and hold the yoke, which leaves Noah grinning from ear to ear.
As much as he’s excited, I’m nervous. I refuse the juice and snacks Reino offers me, feeling as if I’ll empty my stomach if I eat or drink.