Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Channel twelve? The local news. A block of ice forms in the pit of my stomach. Lately I’ve seen enough breaking news reports to last me a lifetime.
Sensing my unease, she pats my hand. “It’ll be worth it. Trust me.”
Settling back into the cushion, my muscles instantly tense as the reporter appears on the screen. Just relax, Katie. Miranda wouldn’t be here, so happy that she’s showing you her dimple, if it was bad news.
The female reporter gives the camera a hard stare. “Good afternoon, Vegas. Have we got a story for you. First up, the weather.” A man with steel gray hair and a red tie enthusiastically waves his hand before a map of the country. His words barely register in my mind as I wait for the reason I’m really here.
What story does she have for me? And why do I have the feeling it's going to change my life?
The camera swerves.
It’s him.
He’s wearing a light gray suit; the top button of his crisp white shirt is undone. His face looks tired, but when his gaze meets the lens, his eyes are light, excited.
Happy.
“Thank you for the introduction, Ms. Carmichael.” The corners of his mouth turn up, and instantly, I know that the perfect smile that rests on his face is meant for me.
Whispered words leave my lips. “What is he doing?” Miranda shoots me a knowing smile.
“I’m Darius Morrow. You all may have seen my face, as my life has been splashed around the news lately. Owner of multiple venues in Vegas, most notably Vegas, Baby, where recent media coverage unearthed a scandal. Some of you know I recently hired an escort, and thanks to interference from others, you now know the more intimate details of my life as well. The tragedy surrounding the death of my parents and younger brother. And yes, thanks to more recent explicit coverage, you now know I hired an escort.”
The reporter tries to remain composed, but her eyes widen as she holds the mic out for him. He takes it from her hand, stepping closer to the camera. Now, he’s the only one in the frame. His eyes lock on mine with an intensity I can feel through the television.
“Though I have the utmost respect for Vegas powerhouse Miranda Montague, I’d never before taken her up on her offer to be matched with one of her stunning escorts. You see, those who care about me have been trying to fix me up for decades, finding me quite unfix-up-able.”
There’s laughter and murmurs of agreement from the guests that stand behind me.
“Then, one night while checking in on an event in my hotel ballroom, I spied a woman that didn’t quite fit in with the others. Later, I came to find out she’d slipped in, no idea what she was getting herself into. She was borrowing from a buffet dinner, and with that meal she took, she instantly stole my heart. I knew I had to meet her, and so I called Miranda.”
Miranda gives my arm a squeeze, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree.
“It turns out that Katie wasn’t an escort at all, but a writer of romance, a bit down on her luck and searching my casino for a little inspiration for her next book.”
Miranda laughs. “And a free hot dinner.”
I think back to my writer's block noodle days. I nod my head. “I was hungry that night.” Hungry for a story. For food. For love I didn’t even know I was missing.
Darius continues. “I made an arrangement with Miranda to meet this young woman, to spend some time with her. And after our first night together, I knew all was lost. My life would never be the same.”
Tears prick at the backs of my eyes. I press the corners of my eyes with my fingertips, hoping to hold them back. “I felt the very same way.”
“Unfortunately, love doesn’t always come easy, and we’ve had some bumps in the road. As every good romance author knows, sometimes, love is hard won. And thanks to misunderstandings, and a jealous ex trying to sabotage us, we almost missed out on our own fairytale ending.” He runs a hand through his hair, his gaze dropping from the camera for a beat. His voice goes quiet, husky with emotion. “Am I a beast? I’ll leave that up to you to decide after you read Katie’s book. But there will be no question in your mind if you ever get the privilege of meeting her in person, Katie is most definitely a beauty, inside and out. She’s kind and funny. Thoughtful, and warm. And a gifted author.”
My hand goes to cover my gaping mouth, the tears running freely down my face.
“And if she is willing to take this beast for her own—”
I can’t breathe. I can’t think. The man is getting down on one knee. On the tarmac. In front of the whole wide world. “Katie, please make me the happiest beast this world has ever seen and do me the honor of marrying me.”