Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
When she tries to put some space between us, I wrap my right arm around her to keep her in place. I stare into her eyes until they start to burn with anger.
“Now take that anger and use it. Let it make you stronger,” I order, my tone too low and intimate.
She yanks against my hold, trying to free her hand.
“Come on, Little Rose,” I taunt her with a smirk. “I’m barely using any strength.”
She lets out a growl then stomps on my foot. It rips laughter from me, but I let her go.
“This isn’t funny!” she screams, throwing the knife at me.
The blade nicks the side of my arm before hitting the floor and skidding to a stop.
Rosalie’s eyes are wide as saucers, her body frozen in shock.
I lift my hand to the wound, and my finger comes away with drops of blood. Giving Rosalie an impressed smile, I nod. “That’s much better.”
Her features tighten with disbelief. “I just hurt you, and you praise me for it? Are you insane?”
I shake my head and lock eyes with her. “I’m relieved. With training, you’ll be able to stand up for yourself when you leave. I won’t have to worry about you once you’re gone.”
Her eyebrows draw together. “Are you really going to let me go?”
I pick up the knife and rinse it off before I continue making the sandwiches.
“Yes, Little Rose.” My eyes flick to hers. “Once you’re twenty-one.”
When I’m placing slices of cheese on the bread, Rosalie says, “You’re bleeding.”
“I know.”
“Aren’t you going to treat the wound?”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to clean up after you.” Using the knife, I point to a cupboard. “You’ll find a first aid kit in there.”
“I’m not touching you with a ten-foot pole,” she grumbles.
I raise an eyebrow. “I’m starting to think you’re defying me, so I’ll spank you.” I set the knife down on the counter and prowl closer to her. “Is that what you want, Little Rose?”
She takes a faltering step backward, shaking her head so hard, the strands of hair fly around her shoulders.
My hand darts out, and I capture the back of her neck. With a tug, I have her body crashing into mine. Her lips part with a gasp, her hands coming up to grip my sides so she won’t lose her balance from the sudden movement.
Lowering my voice and lacing the words with seduction, I say, “You don’t have to test my patience to get my attention. All you have to do is ask.”
Anger wars with uncertainty on her face, then she whispers, “Let go.”
I tilt my head, and leaning closer, I allow my lips to brush over her flushed cheek. “Is that really what you want?”
Her breaths are coming hard and fast, and for a moment, I feel her grip on my sides tighten. The word wooshes from her, “Yes.”
I let go of her so fast that she stumbles backward.
I nod toward the cupboard. “Get the first aid kit and clean the mess you made on my arm.”
This time she doesn’t argue and quickly retrieves the box.
While I place the sandwiches on plates, Rosalie tears open an antiseptic wipe. She scowls at me as she moves closer and dabs up the drying blood.
“I wish the knife hit your neck,” she mutters under her breath.
I give her a playful grin. “There’s always next time.”
She lets out an annoyed huff. “You’re insufferable.”
I chuckle, and while Rosalie disposes of the wipe and puts the first aid kit away, I carry the plates out onto the patio.
When she comes to the patio, she doesn’t take a seat at the wrought iron table but picks up her plate and heads back into the house.
With a broad smile on my face, my teeth sink into the sandwich.
There’s hope for you yet, Little Rose.
Chapter 9
Rosalie
It’s my birthday, and my nerves are shot to hell. I have no idea what will happen today and whether Viktor meant what he said about not forcing himself on me.
Besides the altercation in the kitchen the other day, when he asked me if I wanted to be spanked, nothing like that has happened again.
Just thinking of his lips brushing over my cheek makes my heart beat violently in my chest. My emotions are all over the place. I’m terrified of the man and hate it whenever my stomach flutters, which seems to be happening more and more often.
Every day has been the same. I’m left alone in my bedroom and only see Viktor when it’s time to eat.
On my second night in this hell hole, his mother came to see me, but I refused to talk to her.
Standing by the window, I stare at the garden situated in the middle of the three mansions. There’s a huge fountain that’s bigger than any pool I’ve seen before, with a statue of a black horse and water splashing around his hoofs.