Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
“No,” Marlena says despite herself. She’s got tears in her eyes, and I can tell that she’s moved by my story.
“In my line of work, I’m used to being in control,” I say with a cold laugh. “But no one can control cancer. When she died, I lashed out. I swore I would never remarry, and I closed off that part of my life.”
Marlena sits quietly, waiting for me to gather my thoughts.
“I know you think this is all a business arrangement, but I really care about you,” I say. “I’m sorry I didn’t explain what was going on before bringing you here. But you have to understand that I couldn’t bear to see you hurt. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
She nibbles her bottom lip, considering my apology.
“We’re going to find your brother,” I promise her. “I just didn’t think my heart could withstand another loss.”
She sets her glass down on the table beside her chair and stands. I watch carefully as she walks toward me, closing the distance with determined steps.
She squats down beside me and puts her arms around my shoulders.
“I’m not proud of what I did,” I say, even though no more words are necessary. “But I would do it again if it meant keeping you safe.”
“Shh,” she coos, pressing her lips close to my ear.
She kisses me there, and her lips are warmer than the sun. I reach around to take hold of the back of her neck, pulling her around so I can kiss her properly. She loses her balance and lands in my lap. We both laugh awkwardly. It seems like we’re starting fresh and don’t know how to be around each other.
She lowers her eyelids seductively and kisses me again. I fall into the embrace with all the energy of a twenty-two-year-old. There she is, the love of my life, seated comfortably in my arms. I feel a surge of relief mixed with arousal. I want nothing more than to sink into her, to feel her body come alive beneath me.
But she stops, putting a hand on my chin to break the kiss. “I forgive you,” she says bluntly. “But there are a few things I want to add to my list of demands.”
I smile, listening to all I need to hear. I don’t care what she asks for. I’m going to give it to her. She could demand all the gold in Fort Knox and I would hand it over, though I know she’s not the kind of person who thinks about material items. I relax my grip on her backside, giving her space to talk.
“You have to promise not to lie to me again,” she says.
“Done,” I reply without thinking about it. I know it will be a hard promise to keep, but she’s worth it. Next time, I’ll figure out a way to let her in on whatever’s going on without frightening her. I’m not sure how, but I’ll come up with something.
“And you have to find my brother,” she continues.
That one’s a little harder to promise. I don’t want to sour the mood by bringing up the fact that I’m not sure if he’s alive or dead. My hope is that he’s alive somewhere and that we can either rescue him or bargain with Andretti for his release.
Marlena senses my reluctance, and her body tightens. I close my eyes, lining up my words before delivering my message. “I promise to do everything I can to locate your brother. And I promise to stay positive about the whole situation.”
She relaxes again, kissing me lightly on the lips. “I guess that’s the best I can hope for.”
“I really do want to find him,” I assure her.
“I know you do,” she replies.
“But if you want me to be honest, I’m worried,” I continue, taking hold of her arms and looking her in the eye so she understands how serious I am.
Her eyes spark with tears, but I know I’ve said the right thing by being honest with her. “I’m worried, too,” she admits.
I release her hands and cup the back of her head, drawing her down into a hug. There’s more than enough heartache to go around, and we both know it. Now that she’s forgiven me and we’ve both acknowledged how worried we are about her brother, it seems that there’s nothing left standing between us.
CHAPTER 29
MARLENA
Atiny part of me feels like I’m betraying Brandon by being so turned on. But I reason that thought away quickly by reminding myself that Francisco’s men are looking for him. I’m halfway across the globe with nothing more I can do. There’s no reason to hold myself in check, and Francisco has become a guilty pleasure, my solace.
I rake my fingers through his hair, the thick strands tickling my skin. I kiss him madly and deeply, barely remembering to breathe. His tongue is so hot, it lights my soul on fire. The scruff around his lips feels like sandpaper, and pretty soon, my mouth is tingling.