Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Travis tears his gaze off the screen to look at his girlfriend for a beat before returning his attention to the game. “You mean Oliver Rhett?”
“No, Oliver Twist. Of course I mean Rhett. How many Olivers do you know?”
“He was dating that one girl,” the guy beside him says without pulling his gaze off the screen. “You know, the little thing who was in all the musicals. She was crying one night over him. Apparently he had an ex in undergrad who screwed him over, and this girl was asking everyone for any information they had. Was trying to get any details she could because she wanted to track her down and go all god of wrath.”
Travis frowns and shakes his head. “Damn.”
“Not ringing a bell,” Julie says.
“Blue eyes, tiny voice, big tits?” her boyfriend’s buddy offers.
“Oh, yeah,” Travis says. “Her name was Emily or something.”
“You’re both pigs,” Julie says. “I hope you know that.”
Her boyfriend winks at her. “Love you too.”
She fights a smile as she spins back around on her stool. “So, Emily. Do we hate Emily?”
“Do you know a Peony?” I ask. “She was texting him, and I think he met up with her.”
“What the fuck kind of name is that?” She spins back to the boys. “Know a Peony?”
“Woman, do I look like I have time to keep tabs on Rhett’s romantic life?” Travis asks.
“Nah,” his buddy says. “I remember Rhett answering a call from a Peony once. He had to leave class early to go get her or something.”
“Does she go to school here?” Julie asks.
“No idea,” Travis’s buddy says.
Horrible screaming and rapid gunfire noises come from the TV, and Travis tosses his remote. “Dammit, now I’m dead.”
“Aww,” Julie says with zero actual sympathy or remorse in her voice. “I’m so sorry I interrupted your game.”
He lazily unfolds from the couch then saunters over to his girlfriend. “Why are you so interested in Oliver Rhett’s former girlfriends all of the sudden?” he asks, sliding his hands around her hips. “Should I be worried?”
She laughs. “Savvy would knock my teeth out before letting me touch him, so I’m pretty sure you’re good.”
“What?” I squeak. “I would not.”
She buries her face in Travis’s chest, but it only muffles her laughter. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, girl.”
I shake my head, but a not-so-little part of me knows she’s right. I like Oliver—more than like him. I want him. He might not be mine in any official way, but the idea of him with another woman grates.
Part Nine
PRESENT
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
SAVVY
Oliver has my panties in his hand, the lace hanging between two fingers. “I think these are yours.”
I want to close my eyes at the sound of that voice, to revel in the memories it sends washing over me. Like the finest melted chocolate—dark, delicious, and so damn tempting.
Dangerous, the rational part of my mind warns.
I stride into the kitchen and snatch them away. There are too many words clogging my throat and none can make their way out. What are you playing at? How dare you? Why did you make me steal from your own father?
And the worst—Why does looking at you still hurt so much?
Fuck Oliver. I owe him nothing. But Alec . . .
I spin around and Alec is exactly where I left him, his gaze bouncing between me and his brother. Slowly, he follows me into the kitchen and wraps one arm around my waist. I bow my head, unable to look either brother in the eye.
“Oliver,” Alec says, “I thought you were in Monaco.” He’s holding me tightly, as if it wasn’t his brother who just surprised us but a crazed, irrational criminal.
“I came back early. Our baby sister wants me at her wedding, and I couldn’t let her down.”
“Well, as you can see, Rose isn’t here,” Alec says. “And I don’t know what you think you have to do with me and Savvy, but you can show yourself out.”
Oliver smiles—wide and devious. “She didn’t tell you?”
Alec sneers. “Tell me what?”
“Alec,” I plead. I don’t want to have this conversation. Not right now. Not like this. “Let me explain.”
“Savannah and I lived together while I was finishing up my MBA.” Oliver folds his arms. “I never thought I’d see her again until she showed up at the door with nothing but a trench coat on. Not much takes me by surprise, but that was a reunion I hadn’t expected.”
“You make it sound like something happened between us,” I snap.
“Didn’t it?” He looks me over slowly, and there’s no way Alec misses the carnal knowledge in that gaze. “I remember a lot happening between us.”
Alec drops his arm from around my waist and sidesteps—away from me. His gaze ping-pongs between me and Oliver.
“Alec,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I haven’t touched him since college. That day I showed up here looking for you, and—”