Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry. I wanted to say, let’s go sit on the couches, so you can be more comfortable. I also want to clean your wounds.”
“I need to shower first.” He waves a hand over the kitchen. “Look around the penthouse and familiarize yourself with where everything is while I clean up.”
“Okay.”
My eyes track Georgi as he leaves the kitchen, and for a couple of minutes I stand still, replaying everything he said.
God, I hope this is real.
My footfall is soft as I walk over the dark tiles toward the sunken living room. The leather couches form half an oval shape, all facing the black stone wall that stands free in the middle of the room. An electric fire burns beneath a large TV.
I trail my fingers over the expensive leather of the couch as I walk to the towering windows, looking at all the city lights that shimmer like a field of stars.
I can feel the wealth all around me. I might have lived in a mansion, but it pales in comparison to this penthouse.
I walk toward the dining room, running my fingers lightly over the polished table, imagining a candlelight dinner, the flames reflecting off the crystal. I picture Georgi sitting at the head of the table while Simi makes him laugh.
The thought is so tender it catches me off guard.
As if I’m running away from it, I hurry down the hallway until I reach his study, and the moment I step inside, I feel as though I’ve crossed into some private part of him. The scent of his cologne is strong in here.
Without realizing what I’m doing, I inhale a deep breath.
There are several books, and looking closer, I see they’re thick, beautifully bound catalogs of expensive watches, Bugatti, and Sotheby’s auction catalogs.
I glance around, noticing things I didn’t see when I was in here earlier. There’s a computer and framed photos on his desk. Moving closer to peek at them, I find myself staring at the happy memories, Georgi chose to display where he works.
One is of his parents in a kitchen. His mom is cooking, and his dad is watching her with a loving expression on his face. The other is of Raya in a beautiful gown. I think it’s her prom photo.
The last is of all four of them posing for the camera.
They look happy.
I realize why he’s so different. He was raised in a loving home.
That’s what I want most for Simi.
Chapter 20
Georgi
It takes me longer than usual to shower, but once I’m dried off and wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, I leave my bedroom barefoot.
Coming down the stairs, I don’t see Nina anywhere, and check the kitchen before I head down the hallway. When I reach the doorway to my office, I find her standing by my desk, a wistful expression on her face as she stares at one of the photos.
Lifting my right hand to the top of the doorframe, I slowly stretch the aching muscles in my arm and shoulder, my eyes locked on the tiny woman who’s taken my life by storm.
Tonight went much better than I expected. Nina opened up to me, and I feel we covered a lot of terrain.
But getting her to trust me is only step one. Now she needs to become comfortable in my space while I hunt for Boris and Anton. Once I make them pay for what they did to us, I’ll be able to offer Nina the vengeance she needs to find some kind of healing for the hell she survived.
Only after that, she might be able to form a relationship with me. I’m hoping for friendship.
As soon as I think the thought, a disgruntled expression settles on my face.
That’s the biggest fucking lie I’ve ever told myself.
I’ve been shoving my attraction toward Nina way fucking back because of the rape, but it hasn’t lessened.
No, it’s multiplying by the second.
Seeing how strong she is for her child. The way she keeps getting up after every brutal blow. The hope in her eyes.
It all makes my feelings for her grow rapidly.
But what really made a difference was when she looked for comfort in my arms. She wanted my arms around her, and that shifted things.
I’ll give Nina all the time she needs, but once she’s ready, all bets are off.
Right now, I’ll be what she needs, but the time will come when I’ll push for a romantic relationship.
Nina’s body jerks hard, her head snapping up, a startled gasp bursting over her lips. “Oh…uhm…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to–”
I shake my head to silence her, and lowering my arm, I gesture down the hallway. “I said you can explore. You did nothing wrong.”
The expression on her beautiful face eases as she comes toward me.
Wanting to see if she tenses up, I don’t move out of the way, and Nina has to brush past me. I’m surprised when she actually stops close to me and lifts my shirt to look at my ribs.