Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
"And that's about enough of that," I growl, silencing her with a kiss as Trystan cracks up. I kiss her until she melts against me and then release her. When I do, Trystan has vanished from the office. Thank God.
Zoya sighs, snuggling up against my chest. "I should go. We have the rehearsal dinner soon." Her gaze flits to mine. "Am I going to see you there?"
"Do you want to see me there?"
"Yes," she says, no hesitation in her tone. And then she bites her lip. "But maybe I should tell my parents the truth about Connor first."
"That's probably a good idea. He and Huck are making out all over the fucking vineyard. It's only a matter of time before your dad finds out. You should probably make sure Connor doesn't get taken eight miles out and dropped with bricks attached to his feet."
"Crap." She faceplants into my chest with a groan. "I've made a big mess, haven't I?"
"Yep," I confirm cheerfully, tipping her head back until she meets my gaze. "But it'll be fine. We'll handle it."
"Why aren't you mad about it?"
"Because you're in my arms right now, wearing my marks. It's my cum inside you. It's me you dream about every night." I shrug. "What's there to be mad about?"
Could I be pissed that she lied about Connor? Yeah. Maybe I would be if Ridley hadn't clued me in to the truth days ago. But I've known damn near since they got here that their relationship was bullshit. I've used her lie to my advantage, backing her into a corner to get her where I want her. And now, she's mine. What the fuck do I really have to be mad about?
"You're a strange man, Jareth Grayson," she mutters, pulling herself from my arms.
"No," I say softly. "I'm just one who knows what he wants."
She glances at me over her shoulder, her expression serious. And then she smiles, one full of hope. "We'll see," she says before sailing through the door.
Chapter Eleven
Jareth
"What are your plans after college, Connor?" Zoya's mom, Lauren, asks him at the rehearsal dinner.
"I'm hoping to go pro," he answers. "I have a good shot at the draft next year."
Knox immediately frowns, his brows furrowed. "You expect my daughter to abandon her dreams and follow you while you chase your dream?"
"Uh…" Connor shoots a furtive glance in Zoya's direction, at a loss about the game plan now that I know the truth.
She groans, taking a big gulp of wine before turning to face the music. Her entire family is at the head table in the dining room, with the rest of the guests split between two tables on either side. The entire room is full of laughter and raised voices as everyone relaxes, celebrating Nadia and Teo.
"I won't be following him," she says loudly enough for her whole family to hear.
They all look at her like they're waiting for an explanation.
"Um…" She actually squirms in her seat, her cheeks pink. "Connor and I aren't actually dating."
"Not dating?" Knox repeats, eyeing his daughter like she's not making any sense.
"I kind of asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend for…reasons?" she says, peeking up at her dad.
"What reasons?"
Her gaze flits to me and then away. "I was trying to avoid admitting something to myself."
Knox digests her response before he sighs. "Ah, zaika." He reaches out to rub her back, his gaze drifting in my direction as if he knows a lot more about the two of us than Zoya realizes. I'm not really surprised. The man is perceptive as hell. "Your spirit has always been so fierce, it drowns out your delicate heart."
I don't think he's wrong about that. Zoya hides behind false bravado and her fiery attitude, but underneath, she's a scared little lamb, terrified of having her heart broken. She needs to be in control, and with me, she isn't. She doesn't know what to do with that.
But like I told her, I'm not going anywhere. She isn't something to break. She's someone I intend to keep close for a long fucking time. Forever if I have my way. I just need her to realize that's what's happening between us. This isn't a momentary interlude. It's forever.
"I'm not delicate, Dad," she says, rolling her eyes.
"Never," Knox says somberly. "You are fierce warrior like your mom. But you do not know how to let yourself be loved. You do not trust your heart." He pauses, shooting a glance in Lauren's direction. "Also like your mom. The right man will teach you."
Zoya's gaze flits in my direction and then away again. "Maybe," she whispers.
I groan softly, fighting the urge to scoop her into my arms. Going slow with her is impossible when I want everything, and I want it now.
I know she does, too. I'm already knocking down her walls, worming my way through the cracks. She doesn't have to soften for me. She can be just as fierce as she wants. But she doesn't have to guard her heart, either. I'll do that part for her.