Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“The usual crowd of socialites, actors, and all the rest of it.”
“You don’t enjoy them?” Jane asks. “The date thing makes sense. I noticed that, after every event, at least a few write-ups mention your charity.”
“That’s the game,” he says. “But no, I don’t enjoy them. Even as part of the dates. I’d rather be spending time with my family.”
I think my whole world’s about to turn upside down for a second.
His family?
He looks at me, smiling tightly. “The family I might have… in the future. Of course, I’d have preferred to be with them. But after Anna…I never thought I was going to have kids again.”
Until I met you, hangs unspoken in the air as we gaze deeply into each other’s eyes.
Suddenly, meanly, I wish Jane wasn’t here.
“But it’s all part of helping Never Alone.”
“Won’t the charity suffer now?” I ask.
Logan sighs. “Maybe it will. Or maybe we’ll think of a way to replace the donations this little game gets us. But it doesn’t matter. I can’t go on dates with other women, even if it’s not real…not now, Lucy. I wouldn’t disrespect my girlfriend like that.”
“Hold on.” Jane leaps to her feet, clapping her hands together. “Are you two official?”
“Yes,” I say, and at the same time, Logan says, “We are.”
He reaches down, laying his hand on my shoulder.
“Please go,” Jane says.
“I don’t have anything to wear,” I murmur, feeling like I want to go but, for some reason, needing to put up a defense.
Maybe it’s so I can tell myself it’s not my fault after I’ve endured a whole evening of being judged by these high-flying social types. Or maybe it’s the fear of looking into people’s eyes and seeing the thought…Why is he with her?
But then Logan kneels again, smiling up at me, smiling.
“I can get you something inside an hour. Something to make you look even more beautiful than you already do.”
“Please, please go to the ball, Cinderella.”
I smile, nodding. “Okay, yes. I’ll go.”
I’m actually going to do this.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Logan
“Do I look silly?”
I stand in the doorway of my apartment. During the ride over, I called Bryce, and like the logistical mastermind he is, he was able to send over several dresses in Lucy’s size.
She blushed as she gave me her size, as though she thought that would make me want her less.
But her curves are part of why I want her so badly.
“No,” I whisper, voice cracking with sheer animal desire.
She’s wearing a silver-colored dress, with some detailing around her very, very modest cleavage… She laughed as I made that clear to Bryce on the phone that I’m not having anybody else ogling her, not after the photos.
She’s just for me.
The dress hugs her hips, settling like the summer dress which drove me so feral. The stylist, Rebecca, walks up behind her, adjusting Lucy’s hair.
She’s put it into a weave, framing her face, the light makeup serving to bring out her natural beauty.
“You look beautiful,” I say. “Even more than I thought you could.”
“Believe him,” Jane calls from the next room, and my woman smiles.
Lucy asked if it was okay for her to bring her friend. I said yes, so happy she’s got that connection.
Everybody needs a Jane in their life the same way everybody needs a Bryce.
It’s good she seems to like me too. It’ll make the wedding easier.
The wedding.
We’ve come so close, skirting on the edges of our full desire. I’m starting to wonder if she wants it too.
“Really?” she softly touches her hair. “I’ve never worn anything like this before.”
It’s good Rebecca and Jane are here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself, my body swelling at the shyness in her voice. It makes me want to draw out the other part, the one I jokingly call bratty. All pouting lips and moaning as she shivers herself to a mind-searing orgasm.
I focus, smiling as best I can. “Really. It suits you.”
“Isn’t it too….”
Expensive, she’s about to say, and I cut in. “You’re worth more than a dress, Lucy. Don’t worry about the cost. I didn’t put all my football money into Never Alone. I bought real estate too, and I’m a silent partner in two very successful football academies.”
“Woah,” she mutters. “I had no idea.”
“We try to keep it a secret.” Bryce comes walking across my apartment, looking slick in his suit with his dyed black hair combed back. “But Lucy – and it’s nice to meet you – you turn him crazy.”
Lucy laughs nervously. “I’m…apologetic about that.”
We share a secret smile, and I can’t help but laugh. “He’s only kidding you.”
“I am,” Bryce says sincerely. “In case it wasn’t clear. Coming across as an abrasive asshole is sort of my thing. Ask my wife. Anyway, really, it’s an honor. I never knew anybody could make this grumpy motherfucker feel anything. Let alone this….”