Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Chapter 9
Regret
Gregor
I fall back onto my ass on the bed, running a hand through my hair. Chloe’s body and eyes are saying one thing, but everything else about her screams caution. This is going to be harder than I convinced myself it would be.
Chloe doesn’t even know she’s a temptress. My greatest weakness. Just tasting her has made me more determined to right this.
This is not going to be easy at all. The timing is totally fucked.
I hear the reminders in my head, but if I think of timing, it will never be right. Chloe and I always have something stacked against us. This time, I’m not going to let anything get in the way of what I know is mine. I won’t sacrifice us ever again.
Mind made up; I go out to one of the guest bathrooms to take a shower. I swirl my tongue in my mouth, savoring the lingering flavor of my woman. Memories of our past flood my brain.
I don’t know how I’ve gone this long without her. I make quick work of my shower before I can get too lost in my thoughts. I truly do need to get to Dubai.
I have things to settle and even more to take care of. Things I’ve kept from everyone. My lips tighten as I think of dinner at my parents’ house tonight.
Clay and I were going to introduce the girls to Mom and Dad. I don’t think this is the right time for me to reveal my relationship. My father knows me too well.
The man is relentless when he wants to be, but my brothers and I haven’t fallen far from the tree. I can’t allow my father to get wind of any part of my situation. It would just be fuel for him and his plans, for him to work this all in his favor and against the things I want and need.
“I’m not marrying anyone but Chloe,” I bite out as if my father is in the room. I release a heavy breath as I get dressed. My mind takes me all over the place.
My mother is often the silent type. She was devastated when my father refused to speak to me for almost three years. When she finally had enough, she put her foot down.
Mom was the force that drove Dad back into the lives of my brothers and me, which sent him right back to trying to run things his way.
I won’t be forced into a life I don’t want by anyone. Not my father, not Addison—no one and nothing. Which is why I won’t be attending tonight’s dinner.
My fiancée and I will be on a plane to Dubai. Things with Chloe are already fragile, but I want her at my side. We can deal with my parents another time.
I need my father to believe that I’m about to marry Chloe. If I take her there at this stage, it will all blow up in my face. I’m going about this the best way. I nod at my thoughts as I pack a suitcase for Chloe.
“What are you doing?” Her voice punches through my thoughts.
I look up to find her watching me cautiously. Her hands on her hips, my bathrobe tucked around her curvy, slender body. Her hair is combed neatly around her shoulders, reminding me of the bonnet she wore in her sleep.
“We’ll be leaving after I feed you breakfast,” I inform her, returning to my task.
“To go where?”
“Dubai, I have some things I need to attend to there. We also need some time to talk and work things out, so you’ll be coming with me,” I reply.
“Hold on,” she huffs, causing me to look up at her once again. “My life is falling to shit. My sister is being thrown out of school and you want me to just fly away with you?”
“You will have access to my accounts, and I’ve already placed my black card in your wallet.” I fold my arms across my chest as I watch her. “Clay has your sister’s situation under control. I texted with him this morning for an update. Things should be resolved by the time we return.”
It’s just a little bend of the truth. Clayton is handling Ally’s situation, just not in the way I know will give Chloe peace of mind. However, I won’t give her any of that information.
I need Chloe with me, which means I need her confidence in the way things are being handled concerning her and her sister.
She side-glances me. “By the time we return. When will that be?” she asks cautiously.
“We’ll be back in time for our engagement party and the weddings,” I say, groaning internally as soon as the words slip free.
I need to pull my shit together. I have too much on my mind. I didn’t mean to allow that last part to slide.