Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 170885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
But that logic apparently doesn’t apply to the smashed version of me, because I totally rode on that bike and had to stop myself from holding onto his shoulders for dear life.
Nikolai was grinning like an idiot when I hopped off on unsteady feet and swayed on my way to the mansion, muttering a thanks that I’m not sure he heard.
I certainly heard his “Sweet dreams, lotus flower.”
Sweet. Like fuck they were.
I rub the fine hairs on the back of my head as I exit through the gate. I didn’t warm up properly, but I couldn’t care less. I just need this energy gone.
Immediately.
I run down my learned path, relishing the feel of gravel crunching under my feet and the music blaring in my ears. My lungs expand with every breath, drawing in clean air.
This is my zone.
I’m fine.
Perfectly okay.
In control—
A large figure cuts in front of me and I try to stop, but it’s too late and I awkwardly crash into him.
My chest takes the shock, my AirPods fall from my ears, and my senses flood with the very distinctive smell of mint, clover, and hellish damnation.
Strong arms envelop my waist, and I can feel the rumble of his chest against mine as he chuckles. “Morning to you as well, lotus flower. I didn’t realize you missed me so much in such a short time.”
“I…did not.” I step away from him.
“Hey, you were the one who hugged me just now.”
“I fell.”
“Tomayto, tomahto.” He grins in the same way he did yesterday as he watched me tuck my tail between my legs and walk up to my place.
In a trance.
Lost.
But that’s not me today.
I cross my arms and glare at him. “What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” He motions at his usual half-naked state—black shorts and Nike shoes. “I’ll be your running buddy.”
“I don’t want one.”
“You might not want one, but you need one…” he trails off and snatches my bandaged hand in both of his, flipping it left and right. “What happened?”
The wounds tingle, turning hotter with every passing second he touches me, and I tug my hand with more force than needed. “None of your business.”
He narrows his eyes. “Welcome back, Asshole Brandon. Can’t say I missed your grouchy presence.”
“Just go away.” I search my surroundings for the godforsaken AirPods. “Weren’t you perfectly fine with ignoring my presence for weeks?”
“That was before I made the acquaintance of your beautiful, huge dick.”
I freeze and slowly direct my widened eyes in his direction. He just stands there, watching me and grinning like a damn idiot.
“Why do you look so horrified?” He steps toward me, his size metaphorically growing. “Don’t tell me you forgot all about it?”
“I did. I was hammered and don’t remember anything that happened.”
He reaches a hand in my direction and I flinch back, putting distance between us. If he touches me again, it’ll crack my newly found control.
I’m still not over the way he hugged me just now.
How can someone be so damn comfortable with touch? It’s not normal.
“I see,” he says without much emotion. “Is that why you covered the souvenirs I gave you last night?”
I storm forward and wrap my fingers around his neck. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Why would you leave hickeys in plain sight?”
“Next time, I’ll leave them in a place that’s more discreet. Mmm. Seems that, like me, you’re also a fan of choking. I love it when you lose control, baby.”
I release him with a shove, cursing under my breath. I lost the steel-like command of my actions and emotions.
Again.
That’s not supposed to happen. Not after I released my pent-up energy in the sink this morning.
Not so soon.
Not this fast.
What the fuck am I supposed to do if even those drastic measures don’t work?
How will I be able to dispel the constant sense of overwhelming nausea?
“Don’t call me that,” I snap, then bite my lip so hard, I’m surprised no blood gushes out.
“We talked about this.” He steps into my space, blinding me with his broad, muscular build and the dark ink that ripples with each of his movements. “I pull off baby better than Clara. In fact, I think it’s safe to say I do a lot of things better than her, including but not exclusive to making you come. Speaking of which, when are you going to break up with her?”
I let my lips curve into a fake smile. “Clara is my girlfriend and I have no intention of breaking up with her.”
“You didn’t seem to think she was your girlfriend when you had your tongue down my throat or when you came all over my cock, baby.”
I want to drive my fist into his face just so he’ll stop talking, but I’ve had enough loss of control for one day, so I breathe in and out slowly.