Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Aww, aren’t you two adorable,” she said with false sweetness. “A little girl and her daddy.”
Ty rolled his eyes as a disturbing realization smacked him in the face. Kelsie was the same age now as he and Trina were when they got together so many years ago. God, he’d been so young and stupid.
Christ, that made his brain throb.
Best not to dwell on that factoid.
Though Kelsie was worlds more mature than he and Trina had been combined. Life made sure she’d aged ahead of her years.
He kissed the side of Kelsie’s head to let her know Trina’s taunts didn’t faze him. The way she’d walked out with nothing but his T-shirt swimming on her made his fucking day.
Eat your heart out, Trina.
“Let’s get this over with, T. Just tell me what the fuck you want so I can turn you down, and you can get the hell out of my house.”
The over-filled, glossy red lips he’d once wanted all over him pooched into an exaggerated pout. “Don’t be like that, Ty. I just missed you.”
Kelsie did a horrendous job hiding her laugh behind a cough.
Her expression flattened, then turned sinister. “This was my house, too, you know.” She rose and walked—more prowled—toward him. He gently caught her wrist before she could rake those dragon-talon nails over his bare chest, and she purred like he’d grabbed her tit. “Mmm, we sure did have some good times in here, didn’t we?” she asked him though her gaze aimed at Kelsie.
“I don’t remember,” he said, snagging her attention back to him. “But I remember how I toured this house myself because you were sleeping off a high the day we went looking. And I was the only name on the mortgage because your credit was and probably still is shit. I renovated the entire place when we split, including burning the bed you slept in. So, I don’t think I’d be too quick to tell people this was your house. Pretty sure the only thing left from when you lived here is the doorbell.”
Trina’s eyes narrowed. She tossed her long extensions over her shoulder and strutted back to the couch, where she grabbed her sparkly purse. Of course, she bent over so far that they could clearly see her thong.
Classy lady, his ex.
“Fine,” she said with a huff. “If that’s how you want to play this. I’m in town for a meeting. Business. I got a call from a well-known, very wealthy entrepreneur yesterday. They’re looking for a commercial realtor to advise them on some spaces for projects they want to begin in the area.”
His spine tingled with unease. What the hell was she up to? “You don’t live or work here any longer. Haven’t for years. What the fuck are you playing at?”
She shrugged. “Just because I’m not based out of here any longer doesn’t mean I’m not the best choice.” Her grin morphed into one of triumph. “My client is looking to purchase quite a few buildings near the industrial park. You know the area, I believe.”
Ty’s blood ran cold. “You fucking bitch.” His shop had been in the same location for nearly twenty years. He ran a lucrative business that continued to grow each year. It was time to expand. The plan was to open a second franchise on the opposite side of town. The industrial park had a building that would be perfect for his expansion plans. He’d had his eye on it for the past year, and a few weeks ago, the company currently occupying the space closed down.
Horrible luck for them but incredible for Ty’s business endeavors.
Somehow, Trina found out about it and used it to her advantage.
This surprise visit was a threat in disguise.
“W-who’s the entrepreneur?” Kelsie was ashen and gripped the back of his recliner as though she’d fall without its support.
“I’m sorry, child, what was that?”
“Who? Who called you for a meeting?”
He frowned. Why did it matter?
“Oh, hmm…” Trina tapped her lips with a long fingernail. “I believe his name was Lorenzo something.” Her tone reeked of faux innocence. The Academy wouldn’t give this woman an Oscar if she were the last actress on Earth. “Gosh, on my life, I can’t remember his last name. Any chance you know it, little girl?” Her grin slithered along Ty’s spine like a damn snake.
Kelsie’s face had gone from pale to a sickly gray. She opened her mouth but didn’t make a sound. Her devastated gaze met his. Tears filled those beautiful eyes.
The sight was enough to boil Ty’s blood. “Okay,” he barked to Trina, “I don’t know what the fuck this bullshit is about, but you have five seconds to get out of my house before I toss you out on your boney ass.”
“Still thinking about my ass, I see. Guess some things never change.”
He lunged forward, making her jump, but her surprise morphed into a high-pitched cackle. “All right, all right. I’ve said my piece. I’m going.” She swung her glittery purse over her shoulder. “You’ve gotten so sensitive.” She turned toward Kelsie. “You need to take better care of him, honey. Pro tip… he loves a little submission in bed, so make sure you—”