Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
I showered and then slipped on my nightgown. As soon as I snuggled down into the sheets, my body let go and my muscles released all the tension they’d been holding. This bed was magnificent. I’d only just gotten comfortable in bed when rain started tapping on the window.
My first night in the house, and clouds filled the night sky. How terrible.
The rain clattered on the roof, and a giant bolt of lightning struck somewhere close by. I jumped out of bed so fast that I fell, twisted in the sheets, and stumbled to the floor. With the next bolt lighting the night, my bedroom door burst open. My new husband entered the room with fear in his eyes. “Are you okay?”
Inelegantly, I stood in just my nightgown. I tried to tug it down over my thighs, but it was a little too short.
“You’ve got to be more careful.” He closed the gap between us. We were both half naked, bodies inches from each other. I swear he’d turned off the AC. Sweat built around the base of my neck. Damn, was the room a hundred degrees? Just then the weather gave us another warning that it was nearby. The resounding boom sent me off my feet, and I let out a scream. I pressed my hands to my chest with wide eyes that darted toward the window. “Shit, Yelena. You’re scared of the storm?”
I timidly lifted my eyes toward his dark ones. “I didn’t mean to startle you awake. I’m fine.”
He shook his head, moving even closer until our faces were nearly touching. “I didn’t ask that. I asked if you’re afraid?”
My brain short-circuited, and I couldn’t process his words. “Of what?”
“That’s an interesting question. With two words, you’ve said so much. Were you yelled at for being scared?” I answered with a nod.
The storm ripped through the darkness. “I’ve got you.” His lips brushed the top of my head, and then he stepped back. Was he leaving me?
He locked the bedroom door and then led me to the bed. “I’ll stay as long as you need me to.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want you to rest. We have a big day tomorrow.” He sat me on the bed, and I lay down. After scooping up the covers, he climbed in behind me. “I will always protect you.” Sleep came easily in his embrace.
Chapter Four
Silas
The sun pierced through the curtains, stirring me awake. The weight of her body on mine kept me in place. I had no intention of waking my wife just yet. Gingerly, I turned to see her face. Her eyes were closed softly, a gentle sigh coming from her slightly parted lips. Even in her sleep, she was perfect. I brushed strands of her chocolate hair away from her face.
“Silas,” she whispered.
Her eyes were closed, her breathing steady, so I whispered the truth while she slept. “You’re my world, Yelena.”
“Don’t break my heart,” she sighed, returning to her light breathing a second later.
“Never.” I rubbed her back gently, fighting off the arousal burning inside me. We lay there for at least half an hour until my damn phone rang again. Yelena immediately stirred, making me want to launch my phone. Who the hell would intrude on my alone time with my woman?
I reached to mute and send it voicemail, but my assistant’s name popped up on the caller ID. It was way too early in the morning for this, but something massive must have happened.
“Ms. Bell, what’s so important that you’re calling me at seven in the morning?” I asked, annoyance laced in my voice.
“Sorry, Mr. Harrison. I just wondered if you managed to fix the problem with the Christiano Corporation.” I wanted nothing to do with Santos Christiano, but that was personal and none of my assistant’s business.
I rubbed my temple and then said, “That’s not something you need to be focused on.”
“They want a meeting, and it’s on my list of things for this morning.”
“Well, I already informed them that I’m busy.”
“Busy? What could be more important than a hundred-million-dollar deal?”
“My wife,” I replied.
“Wife,” she gasped. She knew that I’d been in search of a woman for months. She shouldn’t be surprised.
“Yes, now if you’ll excuse me. Finish the two projects you have, ignore Christiano, and then take the next three days off.”
“Yes, Mr. Harrison.” I didn’t care for her questions, and I’d have normally scolded her, but my wife was sleeping. She was too involved with my business. Her job didn’t include getting into the financial aspect of the company. I paid a CFO for that. If that prick harassed me about it, I’d tell him the same damn thing.
Just as I ended the call, Yelena sat up and moved out of my grasp. “Who was that?”
“My assistant.” Her brow raised, arching with unspoken concern.