Page 98 of About Love and Revenge

She hesitates a little but then smiles. “Sex?”

“Who's the wanton now?”

“With you I always will be. I can't keep my hands off you for long.”

I pull away to look at her. What's the name of this confusion between desire, affection, and the lack that she makes me feel every time we are apart? “You don't have to keep your hands off me. I am your boyfriend.”

“That's only for now, although women don't seem to take it very seriously.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Me? No.”

“Because I am. All the time. Men can't take their eyes off you.”

She simply rolls her eyesat me. Fuck, I'll never get tired of her sassiness. “You cannot be serious.”

“Yes, I am, and I've come to the conclusion that it's past time we announce our relationship to the world.”

“We always appear in public together. We've gone out to dinner several times.”

“Not like that—in a way that leaves no doubt we are a couple.”

A flicker of worry lines her forehead. “What about Naim?”Just saying the unfortunate man's name makes her shudder.

“Don't worry. Nobody will hurt you.”

“How about you? I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me.”

“He's not my first enemy, Elina. I know how to take care of myself, and I will protect you too. Now, enough about that bastard. I'm thinking of going to a local ranch. They serve typical American food there. None of the luxury of New York. What do you think?”

“Do they have desserts?”

I smile. I've noticed that she loves sugar. “Maybe...”

“Then I think I'm very interested in seeing this ranch.”

Odin

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“Are you having fun?”

She took some time to let loose, but a smile has been fixed on her beautiful face for a while now.

However, since we've been together, I've learned that Elina has conditioned herself to hide her true feelings. I don't want her to have to pretend with me.

I visit this ranch often. It belongs to local farmer friends.

Many years ago, when my companies were not yet spread across the country, I came to visit a factory in Helena, the capital of Montana, and the owner advised me to extend the trip and spend another two days in Whitefish.

Like Elina, as soon as I arrived, I fell in love with the region. At that moment, I promised myself I would buy one of the farms here. After all, sometimes I need a break from the hustle and bustle of New York.

The neighbor who owns the property we are on has now become a friend, though I resisted his overtures as long as I could.

He and his wife and children form what in my head would be a perfect family. You look at them and perceive love.

I’ve planned something similar for myself for after I finish with my revenge, though I don't have any hope of falling in love. Still, I could tryto build new memories. Ones that don't keep me from sleeping at night. Just having some peace inside my tormented head would be a big deal.

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