Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“I don’t think it,” he snaps. “I know it. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.”
“And weakness is the ultimate failure in your book?”
He gives me a sidelong glance. I can’t help it, my heart does a somersault in my chest. I look away.
“Of course it is.”
His words hit me in the solar plexus. Why do I feel that bite so deeply? I need food and a good shower and some sleep. I feel like I’ve been put through the wringer and hung out to dry in the midst of a thunderstorm.
“So what am I to you, then? Just a means to an end?”
“Yes,” he says coldly, his eyes a good stare on the road ahead of him. “You’re beautiful, I’ll give you that. And cunning as fuck. But that doesn’t change who you are to me or the purpose of our marriage.”
With that, any candle I held for this asshole just went poof in the wind.
I won’t roll over and take this though. “You’re a fucking coward. Hiding behind your walls because you’re scared to feel. I know how this works.” I turn my head away. “I’ve done it myself.”
“Oh, you have me all figured out, do you?”
Not all, Ollie. Not all.
I don’t respond.
“Don’t pretend you know me, Renata. All you know is the man who kept you prisoner. That was back when I thought there was a shred of goodness still left in you.”
Now that stings.
“I see right through you,” I say, talking through a haze of tears, but he doesn’t see. “You’re terrified of being hurt. Guess what? We’re both damaged.”
He scoffs. “I’m not afraid.”
I stare at him in surprise because, for the first time since I met him, Ollie just lied through his teeth.
“You’re lying,” I say softly. I can’t help myself. My voice trembles slightly. “There’s more to this, isn’t there?”
His eyes widen slightly before he catches himself. I caught him off guard. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I can sense it… when people lie to me,” I insist, my heart pounding. It’s more than sensing—it has to do with body language and the eyes, but it’s the easiest, simplest explanation. “You don’t want to admit it, but you do feel something for me.” I pause and rest my hand on his leg. “Don’t you?”
His face hardens as if his defenses all just snapped right back into place. That only confirms my suspicions. “You’re delusional. Take your hand off of me.” We pull to a stop near the runway. “This conversation is over, Renata.”
“For now,” I say in a singsong voice.
I struck a nerve. The truth is there, right there, hanging between us, and if there’s anything I’m good at, it’s uncovering the truth.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ollie
I hate this. All of it.
Being in such close proximity to Renata Carerra, all five foot, one hundred pounds of dynamite, sitting next to me. She’ll be my wife. And while I know exactly why my brother and his wife decided this was the best move, I’d rather marry a total fucking stranger than this woman.
Before her betrayal… this would’ve seemed like the best gift, all neatly tied up in a bow. But now that she can’t be trusted, I’ve just been given the world’s worst assignment: Keep a close watch on a woman who gives you a reason to breathe. Make sure she doesn’t betray us. Oh, and also, have sex with her, but you’d better not goddamn enjoy it because that will only make you weaker. Deal with her in your bed, in your thoughts, in your fucking dreams, but make sure you don’t fall in love with her.
Sure thing, guys. I’m fucking on it.
I take our bags and jerk my chin at the plane. “Go,” I snap. The air is fucking tense.
“What did you take with you?” Her voice is a challenge, a test of her will against mine. She wants control, answers, but I’m the one that gives orders around here.
“Does it fucking matter? Get on the plane.” The sooner we get to The Cove, and the more distance we put between Renata Carerra and her homeland, the better.
“I want to know what they packed,” she says, standing on the tarmac with her arms crossed on her chest.
Is she fucking kidding me right now? “And I want you on that plane before I count to three, or I’ll drag you on that plane, and you’ll be in big trouble.”
Yeah. Good one, Ollie.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Just because you’re going to be my husband doesn’t give you the right to boss me around.”
I kick up my foot and dust her ass with it. “Fucking go. And yes, it does.”
“You just kicked me!”
“I didn’t kick you. I encouraged you to move your ass before I blister it.” I’ll fucking take her pants down right here if she keeps this up.