Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Before we step inside, do you remember the rules?” I asked, holding her gaze firmly.
She swallowed nervously before nodding.
“What are the rules, Angel?” I demanded.
“I will never address myself as a slave. I will never kneel, not unless you ask me to. I will always eat three meals a day, including snacks in between. I will always sleep on the bed. And never call you Master. I will always call you by your name, Lyov.” She repeated the rules quickly, looking desperate to please me.
My heart felt light, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Good girl,” I said, placing a kiss on her forehead. She melted in my embrace, and I held her to me. “Remember those rules, Maria. If you break any of them, I will be very displeased.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to displease you.”
My lips made contact with her right temple. “Good.”
I held her, both of us completely lost in each other, before Isaak cleared his throat.
Slightly pulling away, I held her hand in mine. “Let’s go inside, then.”
We took a step forward, together. I saw my men; most of their eyes were on us. I saw the look they gave Maria.
The way I held her as she walked on my right, they just knew.
Their back straightened, their heads almost bowing in respect as we walked closer.
Behold your Queen.
Chapter 9
Maria
His arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, holding me firmly against his body. His embrace was strong and protective. I liked the way my body was cuddled into his warmth. Master—Lyov, he made me feel safe.
I couldn’t remember the last time I felt safe, loved, or cherished. But in a matter of hours, he was able to make me feel all.
I liked the way his arm tightened around my hips as we walked toward the main door. My eyes took everything in. Lyov was a wealthy man, I knew that, but for the first time, I was truly seeing his wealth.
He was a powerful man.
Strong, dangerous, and deadly.
But compared to my last Master, it felt as if I would never feel his wrath.
It felt like I would forever be cocooned under the protection of his wings. Kept safe next to his heart, by his side. Never underneath his feet.
The front of the estate was gorgeous, and I found myself mesmerized. After being locked in cages and just a cold, lifeless room for so long, it felt nice to finally see something so majestic and beautiful in the sunlight.
A few men were lined up along the path to the door. They wore similar suits as Lyov, although Master’s looked more expensive…and refined. It screamed he was the King and everyone else were just his puppets. His loyal subjects.
They were at his bidding. One word and everyone would run as they were commanded. Lyov had that type of power. I knew it the moment my eyes found him—sought him out between all those other rich men.
As if it were meant to happen. Meant to be.
He found me kneeling at Valentin’s feet. His voice caressed over my skin, both burning and soothing me at the same time. And then I found him, my body calling out to his touch and wanting to feel the soft caress of his rough voice again.
Who would have known that a man like him could calm the screaming demons in my head?
Lyov could make my heart thump, like the wings of a bird flapping desperately to soar toward the sky. Only he could make my body flush red under his penetrating gaze instead of making my skin crawl.
As we walked toward the open doors, his men standing up straighter, their posture solid and unwavering—I felt safe.
We took a step inside, and the moment my feet were past the doors and into the mansion, his lips grazed my skin lightly as he whispered in my ear.
“Welcome home, Angel.”
Lyov had the power to make me breathless. And I starved for more of him. All of him. His words. His voice. His touch. His kisses. Everything that was him—I wanted it.
His lips moved down, and with so much gentleness, he kissed the side of my neck. A feathered touch. A kiss of devotion. A kiss with unsaid words. One kiss that could rival a thousand.
His lips lingered there longer than necessary, but I couldn’t complain. My eyes fluttered closed, and I leaned more against his body, letting him feel me. I wanted the comfort he brought to my fragile soul.
I turned in his arms, and our eyes met. His grey ones heated me to the core as he gazed fiercely into my face, watching me as if I were the only thing he could see in this moment.
I had his sole attention, and he became the reason for each breath I took.
His full lips pulled up at the sides as he grinned down at me. The darkness that shadowed his face was swept off, and Lyov transformed from deadly to carefree. He was no longer Lyov, a King who owned those around him, to a simple man gazing tenderly down at me.