Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 109674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
He took my hand and pulled me closer, then began to tug at my clothes almost desperately. Eventually, the dress came off and pooled at my feet. My underwear, too, was red, and he stripped me out of it as well. I was speechless. Of course, I’d hoped this evening would end with my clothes on the floor, but not like this.
Nestore cradled my face, his eyes pleading.
“Never wear red again, Amelia. I saw too much red on your skin.”
Remembering how often I had been covered in blood, mostly Nestore’s, I shuddered and understood his aversion to the color.
“Wear white. Only white.”
I nodded. I touched his chest, feeling his heart race under my palms. “Only white,” I promised in a whisper, feeling his heart slow.
“I just thought…” I trailed off.
His eyes left my face, traveling the length of my naked body. He looked almost dazed when he met my gaze again. Desire filled his eyes and kindled my own.
“Are you mine alone?” I asked, terrified of the answer. Nestore had promised me the world when we had been locked in the basement. He had promised me his firsts.
Nestore’s brows puckered as if he didn’t understand the question. His fingers on my face tightened. “I searched for you for eight hundred and one days, Amelia. I dreamed about you every night. I almost went mad when I thought I wouldn’t find you, so what makes you think I haven’t always been yours alone?”
I shrugged. “You were with other women. Maybe you think you can punish me by continuing to do so even when we’re married.”
He shook his head with a look of incredulity. “I’m faithful to you. I can’t bear anyone’s touch but yours.”
I pursed my lips, confused, but his mouth came down on mine before I could say anything else. His tongue parted my lips as his hands held my face. Our kiss quickly morphed into something needy and almost desperate.
I tore away, breathless. We stood in the middle of the dining room, and I was entirely naked. What if staff came in?
“They wouldn’t dare to interrupt us,” Nestore rasped as his palms traveled down my cheeks over my throat until he cupped my breasts.
“I told them we would have dinner together as soon as you were home.”
A sharp knocking sounded, and the door swung open. Nestore tugged me against his chest and wrapped me in his fur coat, covering my nakedness.
Mindy’s eyes became saucer-like. “I apologize!”
She turned, horrified.
“Put the food on the table,” Nestore ordered in a low voice. “And next time, you wait before you barge in.”
“Of course, Mr. Romano.” She rushed over to the dining room table, avoiding looking our way.
The feel of Nestore’s strong body pressed up against my naked flesh made me long for his touch, but the shock of Mindy’s presence had dampened the first rush of arousal.
The moment she left, Nestore released me from his tight hold, but I remained where I was. I peered up at his face, wanting to memorize every sharp angle of it.
“This place feels cursed, but in your arms, I feel safe.”
“You are safe, and this place…” He looked around. “This place carries history.”
“It carries pain and misery, too.”
“You can fill it with better memories. In a couple of years, these walls will whisper with your moans and lustful cries, with your laughter and beautiful voice.”
I swallowed hard. “That’s what you want?”
He lowered his head and squeezed his eyes shut. “I want conflicting things, but I want you.”
The scent of food—meat and herbs, and starchy potatoes—carried over to us. My belly rumbled. I hadn’t eaten in too long, but pressed up to Nestore completely naked, I wasn’t sure if my need for nourishment trumped my desire for his touch.
“You’re hungry,” he rasped against my ear, then nipped my lobe lightly.
I shivered, my nipples puckering despite the heat of Nestore’s closeness. “What about you?”
“I’m hungry in every sense of the word.” He kissed the side of my throat. “Let me feed you, then let me feast on you.”
I nodded. That sounded like a plan I could get on board with. Nestore tugged me toward the dining table. “Shouldn’t I get dressed?” I asked.
“No. Stay as you are.” A bowl of steaming potato gnocchi, another of a stew of big meat chunks, and a serving platter of steamed chard awaited us.
Nestore sank into his chair and pulled me down on his lap. The feel of his strong thighs beneath my ass made my body flush with more heat. He put meat, gnocchi, and chard onto the plate in front of him, then speared a gnocchi, swiped it through the sauce, and brought it to my lips. I opened my mouth and closed my lips around the fluffy ball. It tasted buttery and indulgent. I hummed my pleasure, causing Nestore’s gaze to darken with hunger.