Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“But you sold her out to protect yourself.” Tod doesn’t argue with my assessment as I make my way deeper into the room. Taking a seat on the small couch, I rest my heel on my knee and slide my arm along the back. “I think we could make this work, princess. Sunday veg-out sessions after eggs Benny and mimosas.”
“But that’s what we do,” he whines.
“I can’t see us doing that for a while, Tod,” she says, coming to sit next to me. Thigh to thigh, she makes it pretty fucking obvious as she lays her hand on my knee. Covering it with my own, I bring it to my lips. A strategic move, sure, as the emerald-cut Graff diamonds sparkle.
“Sweet girl,” I whisper, pressing her hand to my chest. Sweet like arsenic. The woman is as prickly as a porcupine. Since when have I had a thing for quills?
“You got a new ring.” His gaze accuses, his body understanding, though his brain has yet to catch up.
“Yes, I did.” She holds out her hand, admiring the diamond band.
“How? Why? Now look,” he says, his arms flapping against his sides like a sullen teen. “Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Open your eyes, Tod. There will be no more mimosas for you and me.” She turns to me all love and adoration, and for a split second, I’m sucked in myself. “You see, Tod, my darling husband is very territorial.”
18
LAVENDER
“I’m not really cutting him off,” I say to no one in particular. In the confines of his fancy car that, yes, okay, contains just the two of us. And a suitcase bursting at the seams.
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Raif asks in a self-satisfied tone.
“I’m just saying, I know I was mad at Tod, but given everything else that has happened this weekend, tearing his head off wasn’t high on my agenda.”
“But making him cry was?”
“Yes, because I’m petty and hate-filled.”
“That’s not true.” His tone is more amused than critical.
“Seriously. If I ever give up the gallery, I’m going to open a place where people can store their grudges. A grudge storage facility is an amazing business idea. I’d tend those grudges, prune and feed them. It would bring me such petty joy.”
“You’re not that person.” This time, there’s a note of censure.
“And Tod didn’t cry.” Though he looked like he might at one point, but then he stomped from the room like a surly teen.
He said nothing. Offered nothing.
Not congratulations.
Not how could you have forsaken me?
There was no noooo! Why wasn’t it me?
I might’ve felt something for him if he’d acted like he was sorry for his actions. Or like he cared about anything but himself.
It was all very disappointing.
“You sound disappointed.”
Dammit. “No. Why would I be?”
“You mean you weren’t waiting for him to prostrate himself at your feet? To declare his undying love?”
“I didn’t know you could read minds, Raify bear,” I snipe. Because 0kay, yes. I had hoped this stupid marriage might make Tod realize what he could’ve had. Made him fight for me, maybe? But he didn’t. And that is very annoying.
“We could still stuff him in a suitcase,” he says with a sly grin. “His allegiance to you, my princess, seems sorely lacking.”
“Oh, shut up.” But I briefly imagine that. Just for a minute. Those long limbs tied in knots while a cotton hanky muffles his protests. Or a pair of his own socks.
Yesterday’s socks.
Perhaps I’m also not completely over what he did to save his own skin.
“You’re thinking about it,” Raif drawls.
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s your fault I was so mean. You goaded me into it.”
“Oh no.” Raif’s answer is all low, sexual chuckle. “You don’t need my encouragement.”
I fidget a little in my seat. His assessment, his tone, feels like hot, caressing fingertips. I cross my arms over my chest because my nipples are far too obvious in their enjoyment. “Well, you should know, I can’t ever seem to stay cross at Tod for long.”
“He doesn’t deserve your care.” Raif’s fingers tighten on the leather steering wheel as he adds, “But I guess that’s not something you consider when you love someone.”
“What? Oh, yes.” I tip my lips, forcing them into a quick smile.
He was engaged. I suppose that might mean he knows what love feels like. I thought I did, but I’m not so sure. I do know you shouldn’t marry one man when you love another. Tod. Lovely, stupid, selfish Tod. Up until now, it’s been easy to discern my feelings for him. He looks at me like a puppy would its owner, and that makes me want to ruffle his hair and call him my good boy. I thought that might be love, but now, it seems more like… well, like, owning a dog.