Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
I shake my head. "I've already told you, you’re smarter and wiser than most people I know."
"You know what I mean. I won't know what they’re talking about. I don't even know how to use a cell phone.”
“So?”
"I don't want to make a fool of myself."
I cup her chin in my hand and make her look in my eyes. "Are we doing this, Eden? Are you going to submit to me? Do you want to know what it's like to be my submissive?"
The eagerness in her eyes makes her look impossibly prettier than before.
"Yes, sir."
"Then you have nothing to worry about. Stay by my side. Follow my lead. I won't let anyone hurt you or embarrass you."
She nods. "Alright," she says softly. "I trust you. "
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Eden
He's taking me to his family home.
This feels significant… but I still remember what Quinn told me earlier. I feel like there's so much more that I still need to learn about him. I also know that I didn't come here to get into a serious relationship with anyone, and this is getting very serious, very fast.
But every day that I stay here, I am earning more money that I can use to save my sister. I have to stay focused on that. I've done my work. I've done it well. I need to stay the course.
“Will anyone recognize me? Do you think I’ll be seen?”
What if his family doesn't like me? What if I'm awkward and weird? But then I see the approval in Sergio’s gaze. I remember the way he smiled when he saw me today. How he smiles every time he sees me. And I know… It doesn't matter what his family thinks.
“I don't think anybody's going to recognize you," he says. "And that's perfectly fine with me. We’ll come back here tonight, because remember, I have a world to show you."
My heart races with excitement. He hasn't forgotten, then.
Still, I have a feeling like he's holding himself back.
Years ago, when I was still in school, I remember the teacher gathering us all around and showing us videos of animals in the wild. There was a tiger that had been tamed and domesticated. When the tiger played with little tiger cubs, its claws were sheathed, but you could still see the inherent strength it held back, evident in vibrating connections of muscle and sinew, and laser sharp teeth. But those cubs felt safe.
I feel that way with Sergio. I know he could hurt me… and because I've become vulnerable with him, he could hurt me worse than anybody ever has… but he sheaths his claws and gentles himself with me.
It doesn’t mean he isn’t really a tiger, though.
I’m just not his prey.
When we get ready to go, I feel like a girl out on her first date. My heart beats quicker, and there's a lightness in my step as we walk through the club hand in hand. People stop him as we go, but he gives curt, one-word answers. A man on a mission.
We make it to the parking lot, and he pulls out his keys. He pushes a button and there's a beep. Lights flash from a shiny car in front of us.
I wonder if he's scared to drive because of what happened with Mario. I wonder if he has any flashbacks, or if he's afraid he'll get into another car accident. But he doesn't say anything, so I don't either.
Wordlessly, he opens the passenger door and gestures for me to get in. The car is impeccably clean, the seats wrapped in luxury leather. I do as he requests and sit down. He reaches for my seat belt, leaning his entire body against mine as he buckles me in. When I'm with him like this, when we touch and I hear the rumble of his voice, feel the roughness of his hands, smell his pine-laced scent, a part of me comes alive again. A part I didn't know still lived. It's undeniably sensual, even sexual, and I have to work hard to fight against everything that tells me this is wrong.
I was created to live. I was created to love. I was created to feel.
Sergio walks to his side of the car, slides in and buckles up. The engine purrs when he starts the car.
"Are you afraid because of the car accident?"
He gives me a surprised look. Thinks. Sighs. “Yes."
He doesn't say anything else. I fold my hands in my lap.
"I don't know how to drive, but if I did, I would offer."
The corners of his lips quirk up. "I'll teach you how to drive."
"Okay, then. I'll teach you how to make bread."
He chuckles. "Thanks for the offer, but I have no interest in learning how to bake bread."
“Hmm. Crochet booties?" I say with a smile. "Perhaps you'd like to know how to can fruit. I can show you how to make pesto with all that basil you have growing…"