Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
My lips form a pout. I’ve never wanted someone I dislike so vehemently to approve of me so much. “I’m plenty sturdy.”
Silvan smirks, leaning in to steal a kiss. “I know you are,” he murmurs against my lips. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks, anyway. It only matters what I think, and I’m intent on keeping you for the long haul.”
He says that so casually, just like he said the pregnancy thing earlier. Like he doesn’t realize it’s a lot, like it doesn’t even cross his mind that it may be less assuring and more frightening to a girl who has just come around to admitting I don’t hate his company today.
Maybe marriage and kids and all that seems easy to him because of the peculiar example of happiness his parents seem to have set, but that's not how it is for most people. It's certainly not how it was for my parents, or any couple I've ever met.
Maybe having money makes things easier, but surely it doesn't make that much of a difference. Plenty of rich people go through marriages like some people go through cars, ditching the old one as soon as it doesn't run like it's new anymore and trading up to a shinier model.
It's hard to explain my fears without insulting him, though.
It's hard to express that while he's painting me a perfectly lovely picture of our future together, I'm convinced he's using fingerpaints and one strong storm could wash it all away.
I like what he's selling, I just don't believe in it the way that he does.
Part of me wishes I did.
I bet it would be lovely to be so sure of something, to believe wholeheartedly in the impenetrability of a relationship with someone I've basically just met.
When my gaze drifts to his, he's watching me with a frown of concern. "You okay?"
I force a polite smile and nod even though I don't think I have to do that with him. It's an old instinct, but not an easy one to shake.
"You sure?"
I nod again, but he's closer now, invading my space like he needs to investigate so he can see for himself if I’m okay. I don't want him poking around, to be honest, so I do the thing I know will distract him.
I lean in and kiss him.
His hand slides around my neck and he pulls me in closer. He always does that, pulls me in like he can't get me close enough no matter how hard he tries.
He deepens the kiss, his grip on the back of my neck tightening before letting go. His fingers sink into my hair and he cradles the entire back of my head in his palm so he can use that to control me instead.
My heart starts to pound like it always does when he kisses me. His other hand slides up my thigh to the hem of my skirt. He slides it underneath, then higher and higher, until he’s caressing my bare thigh and I’m lost in this dizzy little haze of lust he's so adept at shrouding me in.
I break away from him to catch my breath, and so things can't escalate.
I was bizarrely turned on after breakfast, so I was actually a little relieved he wanted to fuck me in the car, but just because it felt good didn't mean it didn't also hurt like hell. He was so rough with me last night, my insides feel bruised, so when my body had to stretch to accommodate him again, it wasn't the most comfortable I'd ever been in my life.
I don't know how this post-virginity thing works, exactly, but I don't want to break the thing, so maybe he shouldn't fuck me again at lunch time. He'll probably want to again later when we're sleeping in the same bed, so we need to at least give my body a little break before then.
He doesn't seem to mind, though.
He's satisfied with the kiss for the moment, so he settles his strong arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side.
Before long, we’re at the burger place.
I’m relieved to emerge from the hazy limousine and at least have the world open up a little bit to let in food.
He holds my hand as we walk inside, and I watch a girl at a table with another girl stop with her burger halfway to her mouth to stare at Silvan as he walks in. Her bright-eyed look droops when she sees his hand in mine, but she still looks up at his face to see if it’s as good as the rest of him.
She must be so disappointed when it is.
I crack a smile, almost feeling bad for her.
Silvan notices and asks, “What are you smiling about?”
“You just attract a lot of attention in public spaces. This whole sexy Viking thing you’ve got going on. I think you need to cut your hair.”