Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
“I’m eighteen,” I point out.
“High school,” he grits out.
Valen pulls my dress down and back into place. The sound of his zipper is loud in the room even with the party in full swing feet away. His phone starts to vibrate. Valen pulls it out, glancing at the screen.
“They’re looking for us.”
“Who?”
“My parents. You go out first. I’ll follow behind in a few minutes.”
“No, you go first. I need a second.” He takes an audible breath.
“Fine.” He brushes his mouth against mine in a feather-like kiss. I go to grab him and pull him back, but he’s gone before I ever get the chance.
I stand there for a few minutes trying to collect myself. My heart is still racing. I might have orgasmed twice, but still my body wants more of him. When it comes to Valen, I never get enough. He’s been so distant since I requested to be sent to boarding school.
I might be under my uncle's care, but there are a few things I got to choose, and boarding school was one. I hated being in this house. The reminder of why hits me the second I step back into the party to see Valen standing with his parents and my aunt and uncle. Of course my cousin Tia is there fawning all over Valen. The same way she always does.
I hate it. I hate her.
She is only a few years younger than Valen. They went to the same university together. More than once she’s talked about how the two of them have hung out. It drove me insane. I know she tells me on purpose, and that’s what really gets to me. It’s part of the reason I chose to leave here. If I wasn’t here, there would be no reason for Valen and his parents to visit. They are my family, and I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep it that way.
Tia notices me first and smirks, placing her hand on Valen’s arm. I have the urge to go over there and rip it away, but I control myself. I watch as Valen glances down at her. There isn’t one flaw to Tia’s perfect skin. Not wanting to watch the show Tia is going to put on, I turn and leave, going back up to my bedroom.
I remind myself that freedom is closer than it ever has been.
2
Valen
Out of all the restaurants in the city, Cooper had to pick the Blue Diamond? This place is always crawling with socialites. It’s one of the handful of restaurants that is always buzzing with some kind of gossip. It’s not an easy feat to get a table for most people. I bet my assistant made the reservation.
When it gets later into the night, you slip back into the kitchen and through a doorway to a speakeasy-like back bar that turns into a small club. At least that's what I’ve been told. I’ve never gone back there for a multitude of reasons.
I check my phone to see the time. My irritation grows when I see it’s five minutes past the hour. Nothing annoys me more than people being late. It’s rude as fuck. It shows they don’t value you or your time.
“Vaughn.” I pocket my phone at the sound of Cooper’s voice.
“Cooper.” I stand, extending my hand to meet his. Years, I’ve had to be cordial with the man. Life has given me no other choice. I don’t think Cooper cares much for me either. I still remember the rage on his face when he found out that no part of ValenScott would be his. Nor had his brother left him anything.
Except Petal.
I’d understood his rage. We shared in that, but for two very different reasons. I would have loved nothing more than for Petal to be left to me. I’d sell my soul for her.
That is something I keep close to my chest. There’s too much at risk. I knew from the very start when the cards started to fall into place that I would have to be very careful when it came to Cooper. He has possession of the one thing that matters to me the most.
“I’m glad you could make it. I know you’re busy.”
“This is business,” I remind him. I always make time for business, and more than that, I always make time for Petal. I’ll take any scrap of information I can get when it comes to her. She’s been quiet since New Year’s Eve. I’m not sure how she’s processed what happened between us, but she hasn’t been texting me. I get the rare email.
“Right.” He takes the seat across from mine. “What are you having?” Cooper nods to my drink.
“Glenmorangie Scotch Single Malt.”
“Would you like the same?” the server asks him.
“No.” He gives a disgusted expression. “I’ll do the Dalmore 40 years.”