Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I didn’t even think of those.
He guides me out of the mall, which is just as well because I can’t remember where the entrance is.
When we get back to the hotel, I lower my head out of habit.
“Chin up, meu amor. You don’t have to hide anymore. I’m here to protect you now.”
His words hit me square in the chest. For so many years, I had to make myself smaller so people wouldn’t notice me, and with Enzo by my side, I don’t have to do that anymore.
You’d think after all the exercise I got from shopping, I’d fall asleep quickly, but no, I’ve been lying awake for what feels like hours.
Some of my clothes arrived soon after we got back, and I was able to take a bath and put on a pair of silky pajama shorts with a matching top. Enzo’s only wearing sweatpants.
The bed is very comfortable, but with Enzo sleeping right beside me, I just can’t switch off my brain. It’s overly focused on him, thinking about everything he’s done for me.
Three weeks ago, I was poor, alone, and on the verge of ending my life. Now I’m lying beside the man I’ve fallen in love with in a hotel room after shopping my butt off.
My stomach is full.
I’ve picked up weight.
I’ve been kissed in a way that’s exceeded my wildest fantasies.
“What are you thinking about?” Enzo suddenly asks.
I hesitate whether I should tell him, then turning on my side to face him, I admit, “Just about how much you’ve changed my life.”
He lifts his arm and says, “Come closer. You’re so far away from me, you’re going to fall off the bed.”
I sit up and move to the middle, and when I lie back down, Enzo wraps his arm around me and presses my head to his shoulder.
“That’s much better,” he sighs. “I know I’m making you change everything, but it’s for the best. You’ll get used to it soon.”
I tilt my face up. “Oh, I’m not complaining. Sure, it’s a lot, but you’ve done so many good things for me, and it just makes me…”
“What?”
I swallow hard, and it takes all my courage to admit, “Scared.”
His voice is low and deep as he asks, “Why?”
“Because what if things don’t work out…you know… between us?” I shake my head. “It’s hard to explain.”
“The only thing that can come between us is if you betray me.” He brings his hand to my face and brushes his fingers along the curve of my jaw. “I’m one hundred percent certain you’ll never do that to me.”
“Do you really trust me so much?”
Even though it’s dark in the room, I can make out Enzo’s eyes, and they’re locked on me as he says, “I’m about to sleep beside you. I’ve never done that before.” He leans down and gives me a gentle kiss. “That’s how much I trust you.”
“So, neither of us has shared a bed with someone before,” I whisper. “I like that I’m your first.”
“Good. Now try to get some sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”
I nod and close my eyes while snuggling into his chest. I wrap my arm around him, like I always do with my pillow, and let out a deep breath.
I don’t know how much time passes before I feel Enzo’s body relaxing and his breaths evening out.
My eyes open, and I stare at the outline of his chest and abs.
Worry trickles back into my heart because one thing that hasn’t changed is that I’m not sure whether I can ever have sex with Enzo. What if I try, and it takes me back to that night? Fear slithers down my spine at the mere thought.
Rather than going down the dark, rabbit hole of my traumatic past, I think about the kisses we shared today. I enjoyed those a lot. I love it when he holds me, and he makes me feel safe.
Suddenly, Enzo turns and throws his leg over both of mine. He lies partially on top of me, practically squashing me beneath his much bigger body.
I let out a squeak. One of my arms is pinned between us, and my other is clinging to his side.
He snuggles his face into the crook of my head and lets out a satisfied-sounding sigh.
It takes a moment for me to realize there’s no fear, but instead, I become highly aware of every inch of Enzo’s powerful body touching mine.
For the first time ever, I begin to think of a man’s body as attractive and not something that disgusts meOnly with Enzo, though. All other men still make me nauseated and fill me with extreme anxiety.
Enzo’s arm curls around me, and hugging me tightly to him, he mumbles sleepily near my ear, “Minha.”
I begin to feel emotional, and as my chin quivers, I realize a man is lying on top of me, and I’m not freaking out.