Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Definitely not good enough for her.”
I wrapped my fingers around her waist, settling on the curve of her hip, pulling her close to my side. With everyone’s eyes on us, she couldn’t pull back, and I had every intention of touching her every chance I could get.
“I should mingle,” Lorenzo muttered. “Andrew, it was good to see you again.” He gave Vera and me a curt nod and turned to go, snagging a glass of champagne on his way.
“I guess I should leave you two to greet everyone and follow Lorenzo’s cue. Even when it isn’t business, it’s still business.”
“It always is,” Vera agreed with a rueful smile.
Andrew hugged Vera and shook my hand with another congratulations, leaving us alone.
However, as soon as he left, her two friends took his place.
“So, how was daddy dearest?” Raelynn asked.
“He was fine,” Vera answered.
“You’re so full of shit, but I’ll allow it.”
“Ladies,” I greeted.
“Hello, Nicholas,” Raelynn greeted. Nova smiled softly.
The three women made a hell of a triad. Raelynn, the bold one who probably got them in the most trouble. Nova, the quiet one who followed along, picking up any messes so they wouldn’t get caught. And then Vera, the one somewhere in between. Prim and polite but hiding a side that got set free when Raelynn was around.
“This place is beautiful. I can’t believe you’re living here,” Nova said.
“Lucky bitch,” Raelynn added. “It’s always so hard to find good real estate around Central Park. And one with event spaces available? A needle in a haystack.”
“I haven’t moved in yet.”
“Why not?” Raelynn asked, looking me up and down with a raised brow. I felt like a piece of meat being sized up for a meal.
Vera laughed uncomfortably but managed to glare at the same time. Nova shoved Raelynn with her elbow, and the three had a silent argument before Raelynn rolled her eyes, deciding to drop the question.
“So, Nicholas. Are you going to take care of our girl?”
Vera and Raelynn turned wide eyes to Nova, who looked like a prudish mother deciding if I was good enough for her precious child.
“As much as she will allow me to.”
Nova’s lips tightened as if holding back a laugh. “Good.”
“But the real question is…”
Vera’s eyes widened, swiveling to Raelynn, and I braced myself for whatever would come from the bold woman’s mouth.
“Will you fuck her well?”
“Jesus. Stop,” Vera whisper-yelled, looking around to see who else might have heard.
I met Raelynn’s challenging stare, answering her honestly. All while issuing my own challenge to Vera. “As much as she will allow me to.”
Raelynn’s slow smile confirmed she knew the truth about our situation, and no doubt, knew more than I did about Vera’s stubbornness keeping her from enjoying all the benefits of our marriage.
“Good.”
“Well, now that that is out of the way,” Vera said, exasperated with the two of us.
Nova emptied her champagne. “Yes. I don’t know about you, but I could use another glass.” She linked her arm with a still-smirking Raelynn. “We’ll leave you to greet everyone.”
Vera pressed her fingers to the center of her forehead. “Sorry about that,” she murmured.
“Don’t be. I like her.”
Questioning eyes snapped to mine, concern marring her features. “Oh, well, most men do.”
How she could assume I preferred Raelynn over her, I had no idea, but I shut it down before it could begin. “Not like that. She’s entertaining to listen to. But I do like your concern I’d want anyone other than you,” I gloated.
“I’m not.” She stood taller and tried to brush away her unfiltered reaction.
“Hmm.” I slowly backed her to a private corner. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Why would I care who you like and don’t like? It’s not like we like each other?”
“You don’t like me? I’m hurt.”
“Yeah, right,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“You seemed to like me once.”
“I didn’t know it was you.” Her sassy response was ruined by her stumbling when her back hit the wall.
I stepped into her space, resting my hand on her hip, stretching my thumb to graze low on her hipbone. “I could remind you. No masks. Face-to-face. Your legs wrapped around me.”
I gave her points for thrusting her chin up and arching an arrogant brow, but her heaving chest and heavy swallow gave her away. Her tongue slicking across her lush lips as her eyes flicked to mine.
“No,” she whispered, trying to lie. But desire swirled in the depths of her brown eyes like melted gold.
I shifted my hand to her ribs. “You really do look stunning.”
Another swallow. “Thank you.”
“It takes all I have not to have you right here in this corner. All this white, all this purity when I know different, I love it. Like our little secret, how dirty you like to be.” Leaning down, I grazed my nose to hers, breathing in her quick exhalations. “Or are you only dirty for me?”