Page 69 of About Love and Revenge

He changed the subject, which is kind of weird. After all, Odin is one of the most direct people I've ever met, and he can even be rude at times. Instead of setting a deadline for me to leave, the day after I came to his apartment, he quickly explained to me about Naim and how risky it would be for me to be alone.

He also made me tell him everything that happened during theattack. Whether the men said something important and if I remembered their faces.

The truth is that I remember very little. I was so terrified that I went into survival mode without any concern for what was being said.

Odin confirmed that the men who tried to kidnap me were indeed on the sheik's orders, but I don't understand. I know he lost money on the deal he made with my father, but he must have access to a lot of other women, so why me? I just want to move on with my life.

Now, little by little, I'm getting myself together.

It's not so easy to stand on my own two feet, as I've always had someone who makes decisions for me, but Odin, although he's by my side all the time, is forcing me to make choices for myself.

It’s uncomfortable.

Taking responsibility for my decisions means I also have to bear the consequences, and I'm not used to that.

The preparations for the benefit party are in full swing. I've never attended a masquerade ball, and I'm as excited to organize it myself as I am to dress up.

One of Odin’s secretaries has become my personal assistant for the event. Cassandra. She is a pleasant person, relaxed and straightforward at the same time.

The first time we met at lunch, I realized that she was curious about my relationship with Odin, but I didn't allow her to ask anything, just talking about matters that related to the decoration of the event. When we said our goodbyes, she looked amazed by the security guards waiting for me outside the restaurant.

Odin is obsessed with protecting me, and I would like to say that I'm not afraid, but that would be the biggest lie in the world. The thought of being taken away by the sheik's men still terrifies me. I hear the door unlock, and against my will, my treacherous heart races.

Every night is like that.

I usually get out of the living room and go to the bathroom before Odin arrives. Besides giving me hours of incredible sex—because he's always after me and he's insatiable—this dispels the idea that I was expecting him, like a wife would.

Despite this, it's difficult to fight the intimacy forming between us.I'm not just talking about the hours of pleasure but small everyday things.

At first, I even tried to get my own room. One night, I went to the guest room and pretended to be asleep when he arrived, but he walked over and unceremoniously took me back to the bed we've shared since I've been here. I made an angry face, but he didn't seem to take me too seriously, because he kissed me like he does every night, and we made love for hours.

No talking, not even letting me fight with him.

I watched a romantic comedy once, where the couple had a kind of friendship with benefits, as they called it. They shared an apartment and had sex, but there was no real relationship between the two. I've tried to pretend that's what’s happening between us, but the only problem is that Odin seems to work hard to spoil all my plans to keep him at a safe emotional distance.

I don't know if he realizes how he acts with me, but I do.

I grew up in a house where one member of the couple was absolutely devoted and the other ignored them. So I know the difference between a man who takes care of his wife and one who treats her like dirt.

And the way he treats me is blurring our boundaries.

In addition to the endearing nicknames, there are the kisses when he arrives, tight hugs, gifts, both expensive and silly, like when he brought me a stuffed panther from a trip to Philadelphia, saying that's how he saw me, beautiful and wild.

Every little thing makes its way into my heart, and I don't want it. I'm not sure he acts like this with everyone, and I don't want to imagine our relationship as more than what it is: an intense physical attraction, where we give ourselves to each other in sex. Where hunger and desire don't let up.

"No shower today?"

I think he's been messing with me, and he's already noticed my escape attempts.

"What for, if you're going to slobber all over me soon?"I know what my words will do.

As I expected, he comes and picks me up, wrapping my legs aroundhis waist. "You are a tease."

"Did I tell any lies?"

Instead of answering me, he bites my mouth and sucks my lips. Within seconds, every nerve ending in my body is melting. I hold his hair and deepen the kiss, already starting to take off his suit and undo his tie.

"In a hurry?"

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