Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“You don’t have to stay and endure this,” she murmured.
“Are you?”
“I don’t have a choice.” If she ever wanted to be free of the Pershings, she needed this divorce.
“Then neither do I. Let’s go.”
Instead of taking her elbow to guide her, he bobbed his chin toward the park across the street, nearly two blocks down.
“Not there.” Public places had eyes and ears. “But I just remembered something. Follow me.”
She pushed through the grand double doors and inside the lobby, plastering on a smile for Missy, one of the newer resident attendants. “Hello.”
The young woman smiled, her curious gaze sweeping over Matt. “Mrs. Pershing, welcome home from your trip. Your husband said your father is recovering. That’s wonderful news. How can I help you?”
Of course Todd had floated a cover story. No doubt Agatha had insisted. While reporters shouldn’t be able to cajole the complex’s workers to comment on residents’ lives…intrepid journalists sometimes managed to wheedle people into divulging secrets they shouldn’t.
“Thank you, Missy. He’s doing well. Unfortunately, I’ve had some run-ins with the senator’s opponents, and my husband insisted on hiring me bodyguards. You saw Ethan a minute ago. This is Matt. They’ll be here at least through the midterms.”
Missy’s welcoming expression turned concerned. “Oh, goodness. I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything we can do to ensure your safety while you’re at home?”
The woman was so earnest. She hadn’t yet been chewed up and spit out by this jaded town. Madison hated that she eventually would be. “You all do a great job. My husband is merely cautious. I just wanted you to know that you might see Ethan and Matt around the building. So I’ll need fobs for them.”
“Of course. With what access?”
“Everything I have, please.”
Missy shifted another glance to Matt, a furrow marring her brow. “Everything, Mrs. Pershing?”
Madison sifted through all the places in the building she could access. Was the woman questioning why men she wasn’t married to should have clearance into her bedroom? Did Missy even know that Todd had made entrance into his suite accessible only by key fob. For spite, she had insisted on the same. He’d laughed and told her he wasn’t interested in her cold bed, but if it shut her the fuck up, he’d have the access panel installed. As far as Madison knew, Todd couldn’t breach her bedroom once she’d locked it. She couldn’t enter his, either, which suited her just fine. Still, she had to maintain appearances.
“You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. They shouldn’t have access to the women’s locker room.” Madison forced a laugh. “Give them the same access as my husband, please. In case they want to use the gym during their off hours.”
Missy’s smile reflected her approval. “Right away. I’ll have them sent up in the morning.”
“Thank you. Can you buzz us up? Ethan has my keys.”
“Of course. Have a good evening, Mrs. Pershing.”
With a wave, she headed to the elevator, Matt trailing behind like her protective shadow.
Once they stepped inside the car and the doors closed, she pressed the button for her floor. In the silence, she tried not to let anxiety overwhelm her. But with each floor the elevator ascended, her heart pounded more furiously. She wrung her hands. The last place she wanted to be was in this building, in the unit she had shared with Todd. So many awful memories…
“Everything is okay,” Matt murmured.
She wanted it to be, but nothing with Todd was ever okay. Platitudes wouldn’t change that.
“Hey.” There was his commanding voice again. “Look at me.”
After forcing herself not to look at him for hours, she couldn’t stop herself from visually drinking him in. “What?”
He raked his thumb over his bottom lip. More of their silent language. He wanted to kiss her. His attention nearly made her knees buckle. She craved his touch—so, so badly.
“Matt…”
He sent her a filthy half smile, watching her with a burning stare that blazed through her anxiety and scorched away the harsh reality of being back in Todd’s multimillion dollar prison while reminding her of all she was fighting for.
The air in the car shifted, the tension turning sexual, ratcheting up and swirling thick. God, she could feel his barely leashed itch to touch her. Her need for him seared her veins.
Was she escaping into a fantasy her brain could cope with? Probably. And after that horrible dinner, she was dying to lose herself in Matt, in the closeness they shared.
Breaths shaky, Madison dragged her tongue across her lips. She wanted his cock in her mouth. She wanted his fists in her hair as she dropped to her knees, nails in his thighs, and swallowed every powerful, salty inch of him.
Matt got the message. The demand in his expression surged. He swiped his tongue over his own lips in return.
If I lick my lips, honey, consider that a promise. Next time we’re alone, I’ll get my mouth on your cunt and make you scream until you can’t anymore.