Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Without saying anything else, he released his hold on me and sauntered over to his friend group, pretending nothing had happened. He had no clue that his words soothed a part of me that I didn’t even know existed.
And it had just the same effect on me now.
I looked over at him and a warmth washed over me as I took in his sexy little smirk and that twinkle in his eye. Maybe I was a fool. Maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see, but I couldn’t help but think that there was something special about him. Something good. Something strong. Something that might actually pull me from the darkness and hold me in the light.
I really hoped I was right.
I swallowed hard, then followed him out of the living room and down to the hall closet. He reached in and grabbed the toboggan and gloves I’d worn several days before, along with a heavy coat. He held them out to me, and I took them and immediately put them on.
The coat was a little big, but I didn’t mind. It was warm and smelled faintly like Sergei’s cologne, and I clung to it as we headed out into the cold, night air. The ride was quiet, but it was a good kind of quiet. Relaxing even. I looked out the window, watching the city lights blur as we drove deeper into the city.
After a while, I glanced over at Sergei. He was leaning back in his seat with one hand on the wheel and the other resting lazily against the console. I thought we were going to spend the entire drive in silence until Sergei said, “You know, I never was a fan of Alek.”
“Oh?’
“Yeah, I couldn’t stand the guy. He always acted like he was better than everybody, for no reason.”
“I think he had a short man complex.”
“I don’t remember him being all that short.”
“Didn’t say he was,” I scoffed. “But he definitely had a chip on his shoulder.”
“That he did.” He shook his head. “I bet he has one of those over-the-top security systems that uses facial recognition just to get in the door.”
“No facial recognition, but it was definitely over-the-top. There are motion sensors everywhere. Pin codes at every door. And cameras tucked in corners like he thought the whole world was out to get him.”
“Figures. He always had a thing for control.”
“That he did. He wanted to know every move that went on in that house, and he would use it against me every chance he got.”
“I bet.”
“But you know what was funny?” I didn’t give him a chance to answer before continuing, “He used his birthday for all the codes. The gate at the front. The doors inside. His office. And even the safe. Everyone knows you don’t do that.”
Sergei hummed in agreement, like he found it funny that Alek could be so stupid, and with that, the conversation drifted into silence again.
After a few quick turns, I noted some places I could’ve sworn I’d seen before. My stomach tightened with recognition as Sergei slowed and pulled through the iron gate. We were at his mother’s home, and the barn lights were glowing in the distance.
He continued down the drive, and when he parked at the stable’s gate, I glanced over at him and asked, “Do I need to stay in the car?”
“No. You’re good. Everyone’s at the clubhouse tonight.”
I had no idea what he’d meant, but I didn’t question it. I wanted to see the horses and find out how the sick mare was doing. So, I pushed the door open and followed him inside. I heard the soft shuffle of hooves and the occasional swish of a tail as we passed one stall after the next, each one holding a more beautiful horse than the last.
He stopped at the stall and his lips slowly curled into a soft smile as he undid the latch. He opened the stall door, and his voice softened as he said, “There’s my girl.”
My chest tightened as I watched him step over to the mare and start stroking the side of her neck. It was clear he cared a great deal for this horse, and from the way she nuzzled him with her nose, she cared a great deal for him, too.
I stood there and watched as his tough-as-nails demeanor faded away. He was calm and compassionate in a way that tugged at my heart. He glanced over at me, and then, back to the horse as he said, “She gave us quite a scare.”
She nuzzled him again, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I think she might like you.”
“Maybe, but she’s a finicky thing.” She snorted softly, and when her ears flicked forward, Sergei let out a low chuckle. “Tomorrow, she won’t give me the time of day. But that’s alright. We take things one day at a time around here.”