Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
He takes my hand and clasps the bracelet around my wrist.
“It’s beautiful. I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“Perfect fit. It was made for you.”
I look up at him, silently praying that he’s going to kiss me. He looks down at my lips, and I prepare myself. His phone rings, and he pulls away from me. “I have to take this. I’ve been waiting for this call.”
“Okay.” I nod and turn back to the mare that’s been quietly watching our interaction. I look down at the flowers and feel the flutter of butterflies in my stomach. Getting gifts and flowers may seem like little things to some girls but this is like a milestone for me.
He steps out into the night but returns a few minutes later. “I have to go take care of some business. Why don’t you let me walk you back to the manor? I don’t want you out here alone when I’m not home.”
“Should I be worried about something? Isn’t it safe out here?”
“Sometimes the wild pigs from the forest wander in to steal the feed. They can be dangerous. Best if you don’t come out here alone at night.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. Alright.”
We walk back through the garden in silence. I wish he didn’t have to leave. I’d give anything to spend more time with him. As if he can read my thoughts, we ascend the concrete steps to the veranda and he takes my hand. “I want to spend time with you. Let’s do something tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’d like that a lot and thank you for the bracelet. I love it but you didn’t need to. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”
He leans down and kisses me on the forehead. “I did it because I wanted to. Head on inside. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I go to my room and undress, looking at myself in the full-length mirror wearing nothing but the bracelet. It should feel so strange to see myself wearing a piece of jewelry like this. It probably cost more than the monthly rent back home, but for the first time in my life, I feel like maybe I have some value.
Each time this man shows me affection, I feel more beautiful. His attention is like a drug I think I’m starting to get addicted to.
5
STEPHEN
I keep telling myself to take things slow with Samantha.
From what I can tell, she’s been through a lot in her young life. She’s strong on the surface, but I can see the fragile little flower that hides just underneath. Some men in my position might take advantage of that but not me.
I don’t want Samantha as a toy I can use up and toss in the trash. I want her to be my lifelong companion, but keeping my hands off of her grows harder every day. Trying to legitimize the family business is taking a lot of my time and attention. Yet even amid business meetings and legal conferences, I find my mind wandering to the taste of her lips and the rush I felt when I held her body against mine.
My business in the city runs late into the night. I check into a hotel but barely sleep. I toss and turn, thinking about Samantha waking up all alone in my big house, so I get up before dawn to get ahead of the traffic. Unfortunately, an accident on Route 22 causes a bottleneck that makes my six-hour drive from New York to New Hampshire take eight.
I arrive home and hear the vacuum running upstairs. I expected Samantha to leave the upstairs work for another day since I told her that we’d spend some time together today. I follow the sound to my bedroom and drop my bag on the bed.
She smiles and turns off the vacuum. Her hair is a mess, and she’s wearing a tight t-shirt and sweatpants with paint on the knee. Her wardrobe takes nothing away from her appeal. She could be covered in mud and still be wildly attractive.
“I figured I’d get your room done while you were away. I thought it would be nice for you to come home to a clean room and fresh linens.”
“That’s sweet, but you didn’t need to do that now. This can wait.”
“Oh, I know, but it didn’t take long. I’m already done. Besides, this is my job, right?”
“How was your night?”
“Alright. It was quiet. I didn’t know you were going to be gone overnight.”
“I didn’t either.”
“Was there a problem? Do you want to talk about it?”
It’s sweet that she wants to listen to my problems, but this isn’t the time. I only ever go to New York to clean up my brother’s messes, and she doesn’t need to hear the gruesome details.
“If I need to make another unexpected trip like that, I’ll call you and let you know.”