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)
“You are not some woman to me,” he says, and taking hold of my chin, he forces my head back so I’ll look at him. “You are the woman. Simi isn’t some child I’ll get tired of. I know what I’m in for, Nina. I’ve been in Simi’s shoes, and I would never promise her the world only to rip it away from her.”
Just like last night, his words shift something in my chest, and it feels as if another missing piece clicks into place.
“I’m saying this so you will understand where I’m at. I don’t want you to feel pressured at all.” His large hand cups my cheek, and my pulse speeds up dramatically. “I’m in love with you, Nina. I know it’s fast, but I can’t help how I feel about you. I will give you all the time you need, and once you’re on the same page as me, we’ll talk again. I want you to have peace of mind, knowing how much I care about you.”
I suck in a breath before I ask, “But what if the way you feel is from us bonding under traumatic circumstances and it isn’t love?”
He shakes his head, his eyes drifting over my face with something akin to hunger, and it makes the butterflies return to wreak havoc in my stomach.
“I’ve been with enough women to know when I’m looking at the right one. Since I’ve laid eyes on you, no other woman has entered my mind, and that alone tells me you’re the one. Last night changed things from just caring to falling head over fucking heels for you.”
Seeing the truth in his eyes, all other questions vanish.
I’ve had men drool over me, and Anton was obsessed, but never has anyone looked at me the way Georgi does. The hunger doesn’t feel repulsive, and the affection is…a new experience for me.
When I remain quiet for too long, Georgi says, “Talk to me, moeto hubavo mishle.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit.
“Are you okay?”
Am I?
I sift through my emotions before I nod. “I think so.”
Georgi brushes his palm over the side of my head, and his mouth curves into a hot smile. “Are we good?”
Suddenly, I feel the weight of his attention. It doesn’t make shame stick to me like with other men, but instead, hope explodes in my heart and tingles rush over my skin.
I was willing to be his whore, but after rejecting me, he just made it clear that he’s in love with me and wants me to want him.
I’ve never had that before.
Georgi waits patiently until I say, “We’re good.”
He pats my outer thigh, then gets up and helps me to stand.
When he wraps his fingers around the back of my neck and we leave the office, I feel overly aware of the bear of a man beside me.
Two men are waiting in the hallway, and the instant my eyes land on them, the good and fuzzy feelings vanish, and panic returns.
“Santino was worried,” one of them informs him.
Georgi only nods as we pass them. When I glance over my shoulder, he pulls me right against his side. “They’re my bodyguards. You’ll be seeing them a lot, but you don’t have to interact with them.”
Oh, good.
I nod as we climb the stairs to the upper floor.
My eyes immediately land on Simi, where she’s rambling in Bulgarian while pointing at books, and poor Santino is just nodding and loading another onto the pile already in his hands.
“She won’t stop,” I tell Georgi. “I really think that’s enough.”
“Okay.”
I walk to my daughter and crouch in front of her. “Go say thank you to Georgi. It’s time to leave.”
She runs to the man who’s completely changed our lives, and he swings her up into the air before letting her hug him. When she kisses his cheek, I watch as he melts and the powerful mafia boss turns to playdough in her hands.
This is what I wanted for so many years.
Becoming aware of Santino standing near me, I walk closer and say, “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
“You can call me Nina.”
He nods, then scans the entire area.
When the manager approaches Georgi with something to sign, I hurry closer and take Simi from him so his hands are free. Just as I turn around, I see the total amount reaching well over three hundred thousand dollars, my eyes go wide as saucers.
“God! That’s way too much.” The words are out before I can stop them.
“I ordered a custom walk-in castle that will be installed in the penthouse, heirloom furniture for her bedroom, and some other collector’s items I thought she’d like,” Georgi mentions casually. “They’re things Raya loved at Simi’s age.”
He signs the bill and indicates with a chin lift to Santino that we’re leaving.
“Thank you for visiting our store, Mr. Torrisi,” the manager says with a wide grin on his face. “Please come again soon.”