Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I meet his heated gaze with a bold one of my own. "Oh, I plan to," I tell him, my voice dripping with promise. "Satin Dreams won't know what hit it."
Inside, my mind is racing.
I got the job, but now the real work begins.
I'll need to hustle harder than ever, pour all my energy into this.
It's the only way I'll save up enough to finally get my own place, far away from Viper and his maddening pull on my heart.
But I can't think about him now.
I have to focus on me, on securing my future.
One seductive dance at a time.
"I'll expect to see you here tomorrow night at nine p.m. sharp," Dominic instructs. "Wear something...unforgettable."
"Don't worry, sugar," I wink as I sashay toward the door. "Unforgettable is my specialty."
As I exit the office, my hips swinging, I feel Dominic's hungry gaze on me the whole way out.
I got this job on my own terms, using my body, my sensuality as power.
Lyon tried to take that power from me, but I'll show him.
I'll show everyone.
Iris Marie Ashton is no man's door mat.
I'm a force of nature.
A goddess in lace and stilettos.
And Tinsel Creek won't know what hit it.
CHAPTER FOUR
Viper
The sun beats down on my bare chest, the heat like a physical weight.
Still, it's a welcome distraction from the thoughts churning in my head.
Iris.
I can't stop thinking about her.
I've been a mess since the incident at the park.
I should've apologized.
Instead, I was a jerk.
She probably hates me, and she has every right to.
I was a total asshole, saying what I did to her.
I should've been kinder.
After all, she's my daughter's best friend.
Fuck, my little girl's life would be so much better without me around.
But instead, I lashed out, acting like a complete ass.
And now, the only thing that will quiet the guilt gnawing at my conscience is another drink.
So, I'm perched on the porch, staring out at the ocean, with a glass of bourbon in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
My old friends, the ones that always help me drown out the voices in my head.
"Hey," a familiar voice says, jarring me from my thoughts.
Iris stands at the base of the steps, her arms crossed. "You're drunk."
I scoff. "I'm fine. It's barely noon. I can't get drunk before lunch."
"Really?" she asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because it seems like you're halfway there already, and from the smell of you…"
She's right.
Of course, she's fucking right.
But I'm not about to admit that to her.
I take a long drag from my cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke. "What do you want, Iris?"
"Allegra told me you guys are having some sort of party tonight."
"Yep. We are. And we're going to have a good time. So, why don't you go run off and play dress-up and leave the adults to their business."
"Adults? Are you fucking kidding me right now?" she snaps, her eyes narrowing. "You're the one who invited me, remember? And you're the one who was an absolute jerk at the park the other day."
She's right.
My words had been unnecessarily harsh.
"I'm sorry," I say, hanging my head. "That wasn't fair. You've been nothing but a great friend to Allegra. You've helped me so much. And I just..."
She snarls, words laced with venom. "You just what?"
"I'm just sorry, okay? I'm sorry."
She shakes her head, looking at me like I'm some pathetic creature.
I can't even be mad at her for it. I deserve the way she's looking at me right now.
"Look," she says, her voice softer now. "I know you're dealing with a lot. And I'm not trying to add to that. I just want to be a good friend to you. For us to be friends."
"Friends," I repeat, the word tasting bitter on my tongue.
"Yes. Friends. Like I am with Allegra. She's my best friend, you know. And it would mean a lot to her if we could get along. I'm sure it couldn't hurt your tumultuous relationship either."
Get along.
The idea of it seems almost laughable.
After all, I can barely keep myself from wanting to pull Iris into my arms and kiss her senseless.
How am I supposed to be friends with her?
"Fine," I say, relenting. "We can be friends, if that's what you want."
She smiles, the sight sending a bolt of electricity straight to my heart. "Great. I'll see you at the party tonight, then."
With that, she turns and heads back into the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My eyes trail after her, watching as her hips sway from side to side.
God, she's gorgeous.
This is going to be a long, long winter.
I'm screwed, completely and utterly screwed.
And not in the way I'd like to be.
I down the rest of my drink and light another cigarette, determined to lose myself in the hazy cloud of smoke and liquor.
I'll deal with my feelings for Iris later.