Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Pippi was trembling and dazed, unable to tear her eyes from the carnal temptation that made up every beautiful inch of Acheron Simonides' lean, hard build. His words swirled around her, painting the most sinful of promises that her aching body yearned to be tainted with.
It was almost as if Acheron Simonides had intimate knowledge of her every fear, and he not only knew how to vanquish them, he was even offering Pippi freedom from it on a silver platter.
He wanted her, he had said, and he wished her to say she wanted him back.
It was the one thing she would never have even considered doing. To be involved with someone like him was the definition of insanity, a disaster simply waiting to happen, a risk that was so foolish she'd have to be an idiot to even consider it.
And yet...
"You won't have to worry about people gossiping about us or treating you differently - whether for better or worse - just because you're involved with me."
It was like hearing the devil whisper her most forbidden fantasies to her ear, and yet - she just couldn't stop listening, couldn't stop imagining how darkly wondrous it could be.
A secret, thrilling affair with one of the sexiest men in the world, and she'd never have to worry about being a target of gossip and online bullying?
"People who don't have to know...won't know. But people who you trust and care about...you won't have to lie to them either."
Pippi found herself shaking her head in a literal attempt to shake off his hold on her, but it was impossible. It was almost as if he had put a curse on her, and she found his every word alluring!
"You can tell your family you're in a relationship with me, and it would be the truth. They'd have no reason to worry about you. That's important to you, isn't it?"
It was, dammit. She would never want to give her family any reason to worry. Never. But how was it that he knew of this, too? It left her feeling torn between glaring at him and bursting into tears, and before she knew it, the words had already flown out of her mouth. "You're like the devil in disguise." She meant it as a joke, but somehow the words ended up sounding half accusing.
Even so, this only made him laugh, and the sound itself was devilish as well, with the way it made her breasts swell and her thighs tremble.
Bloody, bloody, bloody -
"I'm glad to hear you're finding it hard to resist me," Acheron purred.
Hell!
Pippi choked back a slightly hysterical laugh. God help her, but the man's gall was unbelievable. Squaring her shoulders, she told herself that all this crazy talk had gone on long enough, and it was time for her to come back to reality. Taking a deep breath, she said carefully, "Mr. Simonides---"
"Acheron," he corrected her.
"Mr. Simonides," she said stubbornly.
"Acheron." His voice was very gentle. "Or..." His gaze slowly moved down to settle on her lips, the action silently spelling out his threat to kiss her if she persisted against his wishes.
She was frowning unhappily at him now, but Acheron only found this promising. Compared to the women whose obsession with his money made them sickeningly sycophantic, Pippi's inability to pretend was a refreshing and welcome change. He only hoped two months wouldn't prove long enough to have her turn out the same as the rest.
"I just don't understand," she said stiltedly. "I didn't plan...I really don't want to ask this, but...why me?"
"I don't know," he said simply. It was the truth, and he had only spoken it because she had been similarly truthful with him. "All I know is that we want each other---" His dark gaze warned her from making any unnecessary protests that he would have no trouble disproving. "And I'm willing to pay any price for the right to fuck you."
Pippi couldn't help but wince. Did he really have to be so graphic? She should feel insulted, and yet her stupid body actually felt the opposite, with the way her nipples tightened with arousal.
Lifting her chin, she said haltingly, "There's no price---"
"I'm afraid there always is," he interrupted.
She stiffened. "Are you saying you can buy me?"
He met her offended gaze unflinchingly. "I'm saying I know what you need. A risk-free situation, in which you'll be able to keep your ideals intact, your conscience clean, and your life uncomplicated...all the while indulging your wildest, most unspeakable fantasies---"
Acheron Simonides slowly looked down at her, his midnight-black eyes turning into a reflection of the darkest piece of her soul, and her body responded to it shamelessly and instantly. Her breasts swelling and curving, her nipples tightening, and moisture - so, so much moisture building between her thighs as visions flashed in her mind, exquisitely lurid premonitions of how the two months could turn out to be ---