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)
I’m dangerously close to offering mine up for pennies.
His big palm lands on my nape beneath my hair, and he strokes the skin there like a doting husband before he leans over and brushes his lips on my cheek.
My breath stutters and a fiery warmth explodes where his mouth touches my skin.
As he rises to his full height, I feel the redness spreading on my face.
“You have company, beautiful.”
Even though I recognize he’s putting on a public persona, a shiver crawls into my belly whenever he calls me by that nickname.
“Vance Elliot.” My friend stands and offers his hand to Eli above my head.
If I thought Creighton was unnecessarily rough, I’m scared my husband will break the poor man’s bones with how firmly he squeezes.
“Eli King,” he says in a tone that doesn’t betray the darkness in his eyes. “I see you’ve been keeping my wife company.”
“We met by coincidence.”
“I’m sure. She has a lot of coincidences in her life.”
“V is an old friend.” Whom he’s met countless times, including the night he broke my heart. But to expect Eli to remember people is beyond absurd.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” Vance says with his usual gentlemanly smile.
“You perfectly are,” Eli says without missing a beat.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave.” Vance buttons his jacket and smiles again at me. “Let’s meet up sometime, Ava. Don’t be a stranger.”
He leaves and, immediately, the waiter clears his plates. Before he disappears, I stand up.
Eli tightens his grip on my nape and whispers in my ear, “Sit the fuck down.”
“No,” I murmur back, then, armed with the knowledge that we’re in public, I elbow him and run after Vance.
I catch up to him by the steps leading upstairs and touch his arm. He turns around with his usual welcoming expression. “Everything okay?”
“I’m sorry about Eli. He can be…”
“Territorial?”
“I was going to say a prick.” I smile. “Please don’t be offended, V.”
“It’d take more than that to offend me. Especially when it comes to you.”
“That makes me so happy.”
“Which can’t be said about your husband, I suppose.”
I swallow. “I am happy.”
“You don’t even smile anymore.”
“I’m smiling.”
“It’s not as cheerful as before.”
“There’s that thing called growing up. It sucks.”
He pats my hand. “I’m always here if you need a shoulder to cry on, pink princess.”
“Rude. Ladies don’t cry.”
“My offer still stands.” He chances a look behind me. “Should I leave before your husband shoots me with his eyes?”
“You know what?” I wrap my arms around his neck. “Play a game with me?”
“Always.”
Maybe this is my chance to watch Eli lose control for once in his life.
Just once.
Because of me.
I angle my head as if I’m about to kiss him. I don’t even get on my tiptoes properly before harsh fingers dig into my waist and I’m hauled back with a force that leaves me breathless.
My back slams against Eli’s harsh chest, and I swear I can hear the animalistic breaths rumbling behind me, but when he speaks, it’s annoyingly, disappointingly calm. “Forgot something, Mr. Elliot?”
“Not really.”
“Think again, because I can see your soul leaving your miserable body the next time you put your hands on my wife.”
“I meant no disrespect.”
“On the contrary.”
Vance pauses, his eyes squinting, but then he nods at me before he silently takes the stairs, leaving me in the company of a dangerously boiling Eli.
I steal a glance at my husband. His nostrils flare, his eyes narrow, and his face closes off with a speed that prickles my skin.
I know I was playing a little game to ruffle his feathers and provoke him, but I’m beginning to regret it big time.
My intuition is proved right when he brushes his lips to my ear and whispers in dark words, “You’re so fucked, Mrs. King.”
12
AVA
With a stroke of luck—the luck being a passing waitress who looks like she’d get on her knees and beg Eli for forgiveness for walking by at that moment—I manage to escape to our table unscathed.
Mostly.
That is, if I don’t count my heavy heart and my shaky feet that barely carry me.
“No world war happened?” Creigh tips his glass to his mouth once I sit down. “I’m surprised.”
“My Tchaikovsky.” Anni grimaces after using her favorite composer as God’s substitute. “I love you, Ava, but you tend to be quite…impulsive.”
“Suicidal is the actual word you’re looking for,” Creigh says with his usual poker face.
“Stop adding petrol to the fire.” I huff.
“You’re doing that on your own just fine.”
“Well, your brother needs to learn that he doesn’t own me.”
“Repeat that.” Eli’s rough voice lowers with a threatening edge as he sits beside me, his presence confiscating all available air.
“Repeat what?” I fake a smile, then sip on my water.
“The part where I don’t own you.”
“You don’t.” My voice isn’t as confident as usual, probably due to the tension that, unfortunately, didn’t leave with Vance.