Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
In this alternate love story, Travis was “instantly smitten” after our first encounter at a horse ranch years ago. He was a “complete gentleman,” who wasn’t quite ready to give me “the love he knew I deserved,” so he focused on his fighting career and vowed to find and pursue me later.
As fate would have it, we crossed paths on one random August day when my car broke down on the side of the road. After kindly requesting my phone number, he asked me out on a date. Then he wined and dined me across the country.
It was only a matter of weeks before he confessed his undying love under the stars in Italy.
Who the hell wrote this?
I shut the binder and leaned against the leather seat.
Travis was staring intently at a chess board, his eyes focused on the rook Mr. Ralph had moved.
I’d tried my best to avoid looking at him during the flight, but I couldn’t help stealing glances here and there.
Dressed in a black suit with the top three buttons of his shirt undone, he looked like walking sex. As if he knew how much I was struggling to ignore his presence, his lips parted each time our eyes met, and he motioned for me to come sit in his lap.
Every nerve in my body was on edge, begging for space.
The plane’s wheels kissed the ground, and I downed a cold glass of water.
Be professional, Tati. Keep it professional.
“That was a pretty smooth flight, right?” Mr. Ralph moved to the seat across from me. Then he handed me a shiny blue gift bag.
“There’s a gift card from every luxury shop on The Strip in there,” he said, “along with a list of highly recommended attractions, if you ever want to do some sightseeing outside of your scheduled publicity events.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“This was your fiancé’s idea.” He smiled. “I’m glad we’re doing this with you since you already know him. That makes things easy for everyone involved.”
“I don’t think Miss Brave knows what the word ‘easy’ means.” Travis was suddenly standing in the aisle, looking at me. “Do you?”
“Go away, Travis,” Mr. Ralph shooed him. “Shouldn’t you be preparing to wait for her outside?”
Travis looked like he wanted to say something more, but the plane door opened, and he walked away.
“Anyway,” Mr. Ralph continued, “do you have any questions for me?”
“Is there a private ice rink I can use whenever I’m not with my clients?”
“Ten steps ahead of you.” He pointed to the bag. “Mr. Carter arranged unlimited access to Crystal Rink nearby.”
“Oh, and before I forget the most important part,” he said, pulling a red box from his pocket and flipping it open. “You need to wear this ring whenever you’re out in public.”
I stared at the elegant oval-cut diamond, sliding what had to be at least five carats over my ring finger.
“Shall we, Mrs. Carter to be?” He stood to his feet and gestured for me to exit first.
Grabbing my purse, I headed toward the steps and stopped when I saw Travis waiting on the ground.
Why does he have to look so effin perfect all the time?
I put on a smile and made my way down.
“Thank you for the gift cards, Mr. Carter,” I said when I reached him. “That was a nice touch.”
“Was it?” He extended his hand. “I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate since you’re insisting that this is strictly business.”
“It is strictly business.”
“Fair enough. I’ll consider deducting the costs from your exorbitant acting fee once this is all over.”
“I’ll hold off on redeeming them then.”
“That’s more than fitting, since you clearly have no idea what the word ‘redeem’ means.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, and I narrowed mine right back.
“Take Mr. Carter’s hand and smile at him, Miss Brave,” Mr. Ralph said from behind. “There could be photogs capturing this moment from afar.”
“Yes, Miss Brave,” Travis smirked. “Be a good girl and show Daddy what he’s getting for four million dollars.”
I didn’t move a muscle.
“Miss Braveeee,” Mr. Ralph strained. “Say something to Mr. Carter with a smile, or at least rub his shoulder in a seductive way.”
“I don’t see why this is so difficult for you,” Travis leaned closer and whispered against my neck. “You used to love touching me. Are you scared you might not be able to stop?”
I remained frozen. I was willing to stand as still as a statue for hours to make a point.
Travis read my mind and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close.
My heart fluttered at the sudden contact, and I inhaled his intoxicating cologne. Ugh, God.
Without saying another word, he walked me toward a waiting town car. Then he waited for me to settle onto the seat before joining me inside.
Mr. Ralph sat across from us.
“Well, well, well.” The driver smiled at us through the rearview mirror. “I never thought I’d see the day when you settled down, Mr. Carter. How does it feel, sir?”