Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“I am.” Knowing Theo is in earshot, I reply. “You should come by. First drink’s on me.”
“For sure. Maybe after the meeting, I can get your number?”
“Miss Evans, do you mind if we start the meeting now?” Theo growls.
“Actually, why don’t I give it to you now—”
“Miss Evans,” Theo barks, but I ignore him. He can’t have his cake and eat it too. I bend down, leaning into the guy to write my number on his report.
“Fay. Great name.”
“Thanks. I kinda like the way you say it too.”
“Miss Evans!” Theo raises his voice, causing attention to himself.
I straighten and move on, handing out the rest of the reports. When I get to Theo, I drop his in front of him and make my way to an open chair. Theo stares me down. I can feel the fury even though I’m not looking at him. It takes everything in me not to give him a fuck off smirk. Thank god he starts the meeting. My phone buzzes with a text message.
Unknown: Hey. My name’s Ben BTW and wow, someone needs to relax. He always talk to you like that?
I look up and see the cute guy down the table smiling at me. I smile back and type a reply.
Me: Only when he hasn’t taken his meds. I won’t be here much longer so it’s okay. #grumpyoldman
Unknown: You should quit and come work at my office. We’re younger, more lively. And maybe I’d get to see you again. *wink emoji*
Me: I’d love that. How about—
“Miss Evans.” I stop mid-text, meeting Theo’s glare across the long table.
“Yes, Mr. Monroe?” I smile, shifting my eyes to Ben, and wink.
His palms slam against the table. “In my office. NOW!” Theo is up from his chair, startling everyone.
This time, I don’t fight it. I have some words for him too. We both storm out of the conference room and enter his office.
“What the fuck was that about?” he asks, slamming the door behind him.
I whip around so fast that I almost lose my balance. “Not to sound like a broken record, but none of your business.”
“It is my business when you’re blatantly flirting with someone in front of me.”
“Then stop paying attention.”
“Give me your phone.”
“No.”
“Give me your fucking phone!”
“No!”
He’s too quick, snatching it from my hand.
“Give me that back. Theo!”
He shoves my phone in my face, unlocking it. “Hey! You can’t do that!” I assume he’s scrolling through my text messages. “This is an invasion of privacy.”
“Grumpy old man? Didn’t seem to have a problem with my age before.”
“Well, I do now.” He starts pressing buttons. “Wait, don’t. What are you doing?” He’s most likely deleting Ben’s contact. “You can’t do that.”
“Fucking watch me.”
Once the number is erased, he tosses my phone onto the table.
“You’re an asshole.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I fucking hate you—” He grabs the back of my neck and pulls me to him, slamming his lips over mine. This kiss is brutal. Angry. I struggle against him, and he bites my bottom lip. It causes my mouth to open, and his tongue lashes against mine. God, I want this. Miss this. But what I truly want is just a mirage. I work my hands up to his chest and shove him away. “You don’t get to do that anymore.”
His chest is heaving, and his brows furrow with anger. “You’re mine. Not his. Not anyone’s. Mine!”
I hate the wetness I feel on my cheeks. “I will never be yours again. You disgust me.” He stares at me for a beat, then turns and walks over to the window. “Is there anything else you need, Mr. Monroe?”
“Get the hell out of my office.”
“With pleasure.”
Chapter twenty-five
Fay
Two days later…
I didn’t see him again the rest of that day. The hours dragged by, every little sound making me jump in my chair. I wondered if he would call me into his office and finally fight for us. I didn’t mean what I said. But I wasn’t going to allow him to walk all over me. He didn’t choose me, so he doesn’t get to have me. What hurts the most is that he never planned on keeping me. I was just a toy to pass the time with until he got married.
Two days have gone by.
Just like yesterday, his entire calendar is blocked out with private meetings. The happy couple is probably at cake tastings and picking out fancy silverware. I feel mentally and physically worn down, and I’m constantly fighting back tears. I can’t stop thinking about what the private meetings on his calendar meant. There were so many. Was he with me and then running off with her?
I’m on autopilot, knocking off the tedious lists he emails me. Some of the items are there just out of spite. He’s trying to make a point. Until I’m done, he does own me. I raise my head to see Julie walk past, tugging a handful of balloons toward the elevators. Today is Theo’s birthday, and the last thing I want to do is celebrate him. I hate that my brain takes me back to the night I wrapped myself up as his present.