Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Her tits are practically falling out of her plunging neckline, and every single thing about her screams fake.
She’d been arm candy, something I hate to admit. There is simply no point denying that I’d slept with her because of it and stuck around because she was a convenience.
“I didn’t. Not even close,” I grit through my teeth. “And before you say anything more, I want you to hear me out. You need to leave this city and never return.”
She throws her head back and cackles. “Oh, Charles. You are a delight. I forgot how funny you were.”
“I’m not playing around, Tabitha. You’re not welcome here.”
“In New York City?” She motions around. “You’re nobody here, Charles. You don’t make the rules.”
“I can make your life miserable, and you bloody well know it.”
“Why don’t you save us both the time and stop thinking you have any power over me. I moved up in the world while you slunk away to the ghetto to mend your broken heart.”
I take a threatening step forward, and she shrinks under the weight of my glare.
“Go the fuck home,” I growl.
She pouts her lips. “Why? So you can go on screwing the help?”
“Excuse me? Just how the fuck do you know anything about her?”
“You are a man, Charles. You’re predictable. I expect you to do the same all over again. You work too much to find someone out of the office. You never did know how to have fun.”
“Guess what, Tabitha. Not everyone is a cunt like you. Things are different with Raven. She hasn’t gotten to where she is by spreading her legs for every dick with a wallet.”
“Why you—” She leaps forward, and I catch her by the arms, holding her in place.
“Watch it, Tabby. Put those claws of yours away,” I spit the name with hatred.
“Are you saying she’s your fucking girlfriend?”
She jerks her hands out of my grasp and straightens her dress. And then like the unstable person she is, she suddenly turns her face into a demure look as she says, “I can’t believe you, of all people, are breaking company rules. Kissing your employees . . . tsk, tsk.”
“I kissed you in the office, Tabitha. And in case you forgot, you were my assistant, and I was your fiancé.”
Completely ignoring me, she picks at her fingers and continues her chattering. “I feel like someone should know about what is going on.”
“Who are you going to tell? I think you’re forgetting New York is my company.”
“I’m going to tell anyone that cares to listen. You might not be affected, but she will. The tabloids will love this news. Especially considering how private you’ve been since arriving in the states.”
“You won’t.”
“Won’t I? And why not? Do you have a better offer for me?”
“Because I’ll ruin you. I’ll drag you through court for decades.”
“Do your worst.” She gives me a coy smile.
“I will ruin you. Stuart will love to help me take you down.”
Her eyes widen at the mention of my father’s attorney.
“You’ve been speaking to Stuart, have you? Well, two can play this game, Charles. I wanted to reconcile, and you just want a war? Fine. I’ll give you one.”
“You don’t have a chance.”
She doesn’t say another word, slamming her shoulder into mine as she passes, heading back into Zero Bond.
I stand in the warm June air, wondering how I’m going to explain Tabitha to Raven.
What a fucking mess.
The walk back to the table is tense as I try to decide what I’m willing to share with Raven.
That week in Italy meant something to me. We aren’t defining things, but I really do like her. I want to protect her. Enough to want to shield her from Tabitha’s wrath. Enough to want to see where this thing goes.
“Are you all right?” she asks, appearing concerned.
There’s no anger present on her delicate features, and it’s such a contrast to the girls I dated earlier in life.
My ray of sunshine, even after a less-than-friendly run-in with a crazy cow.
“Fine, love. Did you decide what you’d like to eat?”
She gnashes her lips together but doesn’t press, looking back at the menu with furrowed brows.
“Everything looks delicious.”
“Then everything you shall have.” I smile, but she doesn’t return it.
She sets down her menu and looks directly into my eyes, momentarily paralyzing me.
“You know I don’t need you to do elaborate things for me, right? That’s not why I’m here with you.”
My lip twitches. “I know, and that’s likely why I’m here with you.” I sigh, grabbing her hands across the small table. “I’ve told you I haven’t done relationships. That includes taking women to dinner or buying them flowers. I haven’t done those things for anyone in a very long time.”
“Why me?” she asks, her voice small and full of doubt. As if the very idea of me being here with her was some cosmic joke, and she was about to learn of it.