Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Her assessing gaze reminds me of a shark, surveying the tastiest part of me to bite. I meet her gaze and hold it, eyebrow cocked.
Her red-painted lips curve into a smile. "It's nice to see you again, Andrew."
I can't agree, so I give her a nod.
"Manners, Drew," my father scolds.
With those words, I shift my shoulders back and let the mask slip into place. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
She turns her attention to my father, her hands on her hips, her black blazer framing the curve of her waist. A little old for my father's taste, but she’s definitely not here for me. My father holds his hand out to shake hers. "It's really the best outcome for us all. It'll be a pleasure doing business with you."
She gives me one more creepy, assessing look and walks out of the office, her heels clicking off the marble floor. I watch her with caution until she’s out of sight, then I put all my attention back on my father.
"What the hell was that about?"
My father sits behind his desk and clasps his hands on top of his desk blotter. "Nothing you need to worry about, at least not yet. In due time, it will all come together. I’ll let you know when you need to know something. Speaking of, your attendance will be required at the next party that’s coming up in December.”
I let out a gruff sigh. "Really, and why is that? I don’t exactly contribute to the proceedings." My father narrows his eyes and glances through his glass walls to the employees working tirelessly beyond. Then he flicks a button on a remote, and the windows glaze to frosted glass.
It's a threat more than a bid for privacy. Every muscle in my body tenses, and I meet his eyes. I’m not a little boy anymore. I have no reason to fear him, not in a physical sense, and I hate that he has that power over me still. "What do you want me to do?"
He shrugs. "It’s honestly very easy. Wear the suit I send you. When you get to the party with your date, which I'll provide, you will be cordial and attentive. Hell, you’ll get on your knees and eat her like Thanksgiving dinner if that's what the girl asks of you."
"You’ll provide? I can get my own date. I don't need you to find one for me."
He pinches his lips and nods a few times. Obviously, his patience is very slim. Shit. He's pissed.
"I’m assuming you’re referring to that little white trash tutor you've been playing around with? I heard through the grapevine that you’re spending a lot of time with her. That she's your girlfriend."
I tense and clench my fist in my pockets. I don't want her name in his mouth, and if I explode at him, it will only get worse for me. He’ll know she’s a weakness to me, and a man like my father only ever uses a person’s weaknesses against them in the worst possible ways. Maybel doesn’t deserve to have any more shit heaped on her.
"Not really sure what you mean. You know I don’t date."
"Don't bullshit me, Drew. I know how you operate. You're not that different from your dear ole dad. A new girl every week, and you sure as hell don't keep the ones you run through that little play gauntlet of yours."
"Still don't know what you mean. Like you said, she's white trash. A white trash flirtation to pass the time as the season winds down. Nothing more than that, not until you told me to get a tutor, then she became my tutor, who I can fuck when the need arises. She’s nothing more than a business transaction."
He nods once, but I can tell by his expression he doesn't believe me. Shit. I need to sell myself better. I lean forward and give him a smile. "Like you said when school started, it's the sluts at the bottom of the ladder who will do anything for money, and she definitely lets me do anything."
This sets a lascivious glitter in his eyes, and I try to keep my face neutral so he can't spot the relief there.
"Well, boys will be boys, I guess." He relaxes back into his seat. "The party will be a firm-wide event, with many clients in attendance, so I expect you to be on your best behavior. I even invited young Sebastian and Lee. Their parents are coming as well, being a couple of my top clients."
I switch the subject back to his demands. "I’ll be there, but like I said, I can find my own date.”
His smile slips. "And like I said, you will take the girl I tell you, and you will keep her satisfied for the entire night. No slipping off when the party gets going, no hiding out with your friends. You’ll stay by her side and keep her happy and smiling."