Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“The rest of the jewelry you need for tomorrow is in the safe. The passcode is 474792.”
The fact that he completely trusted me with these terribly expensive pieces made me feel oddly emotional. A soft, wistful sigh escaped my mouth.
“Okay, I’ll return these tonight,” I said. My voice sounded distant, and far away.
He ran both his hands over my hips and buttocks possessively. “You have a very sexy ass, and tonight, I’m going to make it mine.”
I stared at him in the mirror. “I’ve never done that with anyone before, but yes. You can take it, if you want. It’s all yours.”
“A caviar and anal virgin? Willow, you’re destroying me,” he mocked, but there was deep hunger lurking in his eyes. Desire throbbed in the air and I could feel myself being pulled into its irresistible web. I swallowed hard.
“We should leave, else we’ll be late,” I mumbled.
Rex stepped back. “We’re already late.”
He thrust his hand forward so I could see his wristwatch. I gasped. “What? We’re already nearly half an hour late. Let’s go.”
“You know who is to blame for that,” he mocked, as I hurried towards the door.
“I didn’t hear you complaining then.”
“You don’t hear me complaining now,” he replied dryly, catching up to me.
I felt bad about our tardiness, but I hoped everyone would be having such fun that they wouldn’t notice our late entrance.
No such chance. Once again, my family had reserved the whole restaurant and when Rex and I walked in, hand in hand, the conversation didn’t just taper off, it completely stopped, and everyone turned to stare at us.
“About time,” my big-mouthed cousin Jody said.
I met my stepmother’s eyes. I knew that look. She was pissed off. Well, I wasn’t the bride. So, what if we were a few minutes late. Okay, maybe not a few minutes. Half an hour to be exact.
“Sorry we’re late,” I sang breezily. “But we’re here now.”
“Your seats are here,” Caroline said, gesturing at two empty chairs at the main table where my family sat.
Reluctantly, I trailed after Rex. I’d rather have sat anywhere else but there, but with everyone watching us with a mixture of curiosity and fascination, I had no choice.
“Why couldn’t you make it on time? Aren’t you staying in this hotel anyway?” Nicole asked, her voice deliberately bland.
“Rex and I…” I shot him a secret look. “Well, let’s just leave it at we couldn’t help ourselves.”
Rex nudged me under the table and I made myself shut up, but I’d achieved a reaction from my family. Nicole was outraged, Caroline looked thunderous, and some of my younger cousins were giggling. Steven was staring at his empty glass with an oddly embarrassed expression, and most importantly, the bride looked pissed off enough to walk out of her own rehearsal dinner.
Good. Let them know how awesome the evening had been for me so far.
I barely ate and instead drank two glasses of wine in quick succession. Consequently, I felt the effects immediately. I was walking on air and nobody could bring me down.
“Willow,” Olivia said loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. “My best friend and I are travelling to New York on Thursday. We’re flying in and taking the night bus back. She’s going to do dinner with her aunt, so how about Rex, you and me meet up for dinner?”
That took me aback and for a second, panic came over me. Every eye in the room was focused on me. I thought quickly. “It would have been wonderful for us to meet,” I turned to face Rex, “but you’re away then, aren’t you?”
“Actually, I’m not and it’s a great idea,” Rex said smoothly. He turned to face Olivia. “If you can get to Willow’s apartment, I’ll send a car to pick both of you up.”
“Oooo… brilliant,” Olivia crowed.
My surprised gaze flew to Rex. He looked down at me and smiled very lovingly. “We’ll make a night of it.”
“Okay,” I said, smiling back, even though I didn’t know what the hell he was playing at. Tomorrow was supposed to be our last day together.
“I feel as if I’ve seen you somewhere before, Rex,” Steven’s best man said. “Have you been to Chicago before?”
Rex shook his head. “I probably look like someone you know.”
“Yeah, but have you been to Chicago?” the man insisted.
“Sure, loads of times, but I’m pretty sure we haven’t met.”
He frowned. “I know we haven’t met, but I have seen you somewhere before. I never forget a face. What is it that you do?”
Everything was going wrong. Rex was becoming the object of their focus. I jumped to my feet, determined to take the attention away from us. I raised my wine glass and my bracelet sparkled under the chandeliers. I smiled brightly. “I know you’re all very curious about Rex and me, but tonight, it’s about Steven and Tiffany. So, I’d like to propose a toast.”