Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“We’ll take it,” I tell him. “Only the best for my girl.”
With that, I have my ring on Patty’s finger, a collar around her neck, and best of all, a crown on her head. Yet it feels right to claim the beautiful woman, and my heart soars with happiness as we depart the mall and head for home.
9
Patty
Three months later.
I’ve never been happier than I am now. I bustle around the penthouse, straightening errant picture frames and plumping up couch pillows. It’s a wonderful life because Luke and I have settled into a rhythm of sorts. The billionaire leaves for work each morning, while I enjoy myself by shopping, eating lunch, and living a life of leisure. But when he comes home for dinner, the fireworks start. Of course, we share a wonderful meal prepared by his chef, but soon enough, we repair to the master suite and sometimes don’t leave the bedroom until morning.
But tonight, we’re having his mother and brother over for dinner. Suddenly, my phone pings and I look at the screen.
Sorry hon, the text message reads. Running a little late. You guys start without me?
I text a smiley face back and then stuff the phone back into my pocket. It’ll be fine. Martha’s obviously very nice, and now that Luke’s told me a little about his brother, I’m sure I can handle James too.
Suddenly, the doorbell rings and I skip over to the foyer. Sure enough, James and Martha are waiting for me. The older woman lifts a wine bag and beams in my direction.
“I brought alcohol!” she grins.
I clap my hands in excitement and usher them both inside. “Great. The food’s already in the dining room, but Luke says he’s going to be a little late. We should just start without him.”
Martha frowns.
“Oh, he’s working too hard! But it’s okay because we’re hungry. Aren’t you hungry James?”
I turn to find the handsome man staring at me, and shoot him a hesitant smile. His blue eyes flare, but he nods.
“Yeah, I’m definitely starving. Let’s eat.”
With that, we move into the dining room, where I’ve set out the meal that I ordered from Dominina’s, a local Italian restaurant. I’ve tried cooking a few times, but the pasta I made last night turned out like hard, tasteless rocks. As a result, I decided to stick with professionals for Luke’s mother and brother.
As we sample the fare, Martha keeps us entertained with stories from her younger years. She tells several droll tales, and more she talks, the more even frosty James begins to come out of his shell. He actually laughs a few times without seeming creepy, although I guess that might also be the copious alcohol loosening his nerves. He’s probably had four glasses of wine already, and I wonder if I should put a stop to it, but then decide not to. He’s a grown man, and it’s not like I’m his keeper.
Then, after dinner, I head to the piano to play a new piece for them on the Steinway. It’s something I’ve been working on for the last few days, and the melody is sweet and gentle. James and Martha listen, rapt, as I let my fingers do the work and the music pours from my soul. When I’ve finished, both of them clap and Martha actually gives me a standing ovation. I giggle and give a little curtsy, pleased that they liked it.
“Oh sorry,” I say, watching as James chugs the last dredges of wine from the bottle. “Looks like we could use a refill. I’ll get another bottle of wine and some dessert from the fridge.”
“Sounds good, dear,” Martha grins. “While you do that, I’ll see if I still remember how to play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ on the piano. I’m sure I can come up with something.”
“Knock yourself out,” I smile. “I’ll be back in just a second.”
With that, I head directly to the kitchen, remove a bottle of wine from the rack below the counter, and open the fridge to check on dessert. Ah, perfect. The restaurant’s provided individual cheesecakes with a single raspberry pressed into the top of each slice, but when I prod one of the cheesecakes with my finger, I’m disappointed to find they’re still a little frozen. Hopefully a few minutes out in the open will soften them, so I pull them out, and when I turn around from the fridge, I find James standing on the other side of the marble countertop, watching me with intense blue eyes.
I jump, nearly dropping everything. “Jesus Christ,” I breathe. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
He grins in response, but there’s a crazy look to his gaze. Oh god, he’s drunker than I thought. I push my hair behind one ear and avoid eye contact as I open the drawers for a wine opener, hoping he’ll go away. Unfortunately, instead, James comes to stand uncomfortably close to me.