Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Without blinking, he steps into the room, dragging me behind him as he makes a beeline for the closet. Jesus. I nearly sigh when he finally releases me, apparently needing both hands so he can open the closet and turn on the light.
I blink a few times to adjust to the light, and then I notice the clothes. Rows of sumptuous wools, creamy cottons, and gorgeous leather, all perfectly pressed and lined up on hangers. I should know...I’m the main person who does the laundry around here.
I skim my fingers over some of the soft taupe fabrics. She doesn't wear much of this, preferring her old hoodies and sweaters to most of the luxury outerwear and slacks. What I wouldn’t give for a closet like this. Everything is so pretty and well-tended. Nothing like my threadbare wardrobe with pieces I’ve had to mend too many times.
My father never had money for new clothes. And when I got dumped on Sebastian, I’d only had the one old sundress I’d been wearing. That’s long since been discarded for the blood spatter, and you know, the prominent bullet hole.
Thinking about it makes my arm ache, and I shake it out while focusing on Sebastian. “I could help if I knew what I was looking for.”
He doesn’t even spare me a glance, sifting through the hangers like a competent secretary flicks through files. The hangers make soft shushing noises on the metal rod above our heads, almost lulling with their constant motion as he searches for some great unknown. After a few minutes, he stops, clearly finding something he likes. With a flick of the wrist, he grabs it from the hanger and holds it out to me.
I take it so it doesn’t fall to the floor since he releases it almost immediately, holding the green satin dress against my body. I don’t have Bel’s full curves or voluptuous chest. I’ve always felt more shaped like a box than anything else. This dress will look awful on my somewhat flat chest and shapeless body.
I clear my throat, thinking to warn him of this, but he shoves another couple of outfits at me, then turns to look at the shoes. “What size do you wear?”
I squeak out an answer. “Um...seven.” Bel and I happen to be the same size. I know because I might have tried on a few pairs of the beautiful heels she absolutely refuses to wear unless Drew asks her to.
A slight shift in the air and a soft noise alerts me to the presence of someone else. I glance back to find Bel braced in the doorway taking in the scene, a smile on her lips. “So...uh...what’s going on here?”
2
Elyse
Ifreeze. Shit. Bel isn’t privy to why I’m here although we’ve gone out for coffee, studied together, and even gone to the movies a couple of times. She always talks to me and tries to include me in things, but I’m pretty sure she still considers me to be the maid. The maid her doting brother hired out of the goodness of his heart. Which is basically a load of shit. I doubt Sebastian has said a damn thing to her about that night.
Thankfully, Sebastian saves me from having to explain. “Ms. Silver has agreed to do me a favor. You know I hate going to those business events alone, and since you and Drew are properly attached now, I find the attention I get at these things tiresome.”
Bel chuckles. “You want to take Elyse to a business event to save you from being hunted by other women?”
He clears his throat, and all I can do is stare, still frozen. I notice the pink of embarrassment creep up his cheeks instantly. It reminds me how guarded and different he is with Bel and with his friends.. The person he is with his sister is warm, kind, and gentle—possibly the real him. A man few others get to see.
His gaze ping-pongs between us before he settles it back onto Bel. “When you put it like that, it makes me sound like a pussy. But yes, I need someone there to keep them away from me. I can’t be bothered with distractions. I need to conduct actual business.”
She leans against the doorframe now, smiling at her brother. “And where are you going?”
He shakes his head and shoves past me and then Bel as he moves into the bedroom. Bel follows, and I emerge a moment later, my arms still laden with the stack of clothing. The fabric is so soft and lovely.
She gives me a smile. “If you find anything you like in that closet, Elyse, feel free to keep it. I’ve barely worn any of the clothes hanging in there. It’s probably nothing that I care for if it’s still hanging in there since most of my belongings and clothes are at Drew’s place now.”