Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
“His paycheck is definitely not disposable.”
“Again, money doesn’t buy interpersonal relationships. We need to work on that.”
“You need to work on behaving during this dinner, Ava.”
“Okay,” I say, mostly because I feel unintentionally guilty about the whole ‘he blew up a business opportunity and got kicked out of the project because of me’ fact.
“I mean it.” He glances at me. “There has to be zero fucking mistakes tonight.”
“What will I get in return?”
He drops his lips to my ear. “My tongue and cock shoved deep in your cunt and a few handprints on that arse. Whether those actions end in a mind-numbing orgasm or edging with no release is completely dependent on your behavior tonight.”
His warm breaths disappear, but a shock wave of shivers breaks down my spine.
Damn him and his crude mouth.
And why does he look completely cool and collected while I’m on the verge of combustion? Another pair of underwear is ruined.
Fantastic.
The waiter leads us to the table where a bald man with intense brown eyes is sitting with a meek woman, chestnut hair, slim figure, and a stunning Vera Wang gown.
“Love the dress!” I say as I hug her in greeting. “Spring/summer Vera Wang. My favorite.”
“Oh my. Thank you,” she says with a shy smile. “Love your handbag. Moynat Réjane?”
“This is my precious baby.” I stroke the bag as if it’s an actual pet.
“At the expense of interrupting the gibberish going on, I’d love to introduce myself.” The bald guy, Robert, takes my hand and places an open-mouthed kiss on the top.
I pull it away subtly and mask my disgust with my charming smile. “It’s lovely to meet you both.”
“The pleasure is all mine. I must say, she looks much more beautiful than the pictures, King.”
“I don’t believe you should be concerned with my wife’s beauty. Don’t you think, Mrs. Meyers?”
Janet turns into a statue and stares at her husband, who releases a loud cringeworthy laugh.
I glare at Eli as we sit down. He’s been warning me to behave for two days now, but he’s the one who’s ruffling feathers from the get-go.
After we order food and it arrives, I’m content talking tips about the newest niche brands with Janet as the men discuss business.
I try not to be bothered with Robert’s stolen glances at my hint of cleavage or the way he suggestively licks his lips when Eli isn’t looking.
He doesn’t seem to care whether or not Janet sees him, though, and I feel a crushing pity toward her. She’s a sweet woman, and although she’s several years older than me, I feel the need to protect her from the slimy bastard.
I don’t like him at all, but I don’t show that, because Eli needs him to get back into his dad’s good graces.
So I focus on Janet instead, trying to compliment her on her effortless chic taste.
“It’s tough times for a project of that grandiosity,” Robert says as he cuts through his rare-cooked steak and then glides the piece of meat through the blood like a creepy cannibal. “I applaud your confidence to make it work.”
“I don’t sell confidence, Robert. I sell facts. So when I tell you I’ll deliver a certain ROI, that’s exactly the amount you’ll get. Not a dime less, though more is negotiable.”
“You want my investment, King?”
“I want cooperation. A partnership, if you will. You get access to King Enterprises’ resources and I get temporary use of your cash flow.”
“I can give you that. Better yet, it’ll be an unconditional investment in your ongoing endeavors.”
I smile. Honestly, he looks like the worst type of husband, but at least he’s smart enough to trust Eli on money matters.
My husband is an expert at doubling and tripling investments, so this is in his favor.
He doesn’t look pleased with Robert’s words, though. His face remains neutral as he takes a sip of his drink. “What do you want in return?”
Robert drops his fork and knife to the dish but doesn’t release them as his lips curl in a lopsided smirk and then points his knife at me. “Your wife for a night. You can have my wife in return.”
My jaw nearly hits the floor. What the—
I stare at Janet’s downward expression, her fingers curled in her lap, and the shocking realization that this is probably not the first time her husband has suggested this hits me in my bones.
My eyes fly to Eli, who sets his glass on the table, an unhinged smile curling his lips.
Oh God.
He’s not thinking about it, is he? I’d cut off his dick while he sleeps if he so much as—
In a flash, Eli snatches the knife and jams it through the back of Robert’s hand. The blinding strength breaks the dish and Robert’s blood mixes with the meat’s as his hollowing scream fills the restaurant.
All eyes are on us and a few waiters rush over to the scene. Janet shrieks as she jumps up, and then falls back to her seat.