Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“Well, it’s different. We hashed out our disagreements quickly and thoroughly.” Yes, I don’t need to be reminded how unloved I truly am.
That doesn’t help my mood, because I’m going from horny to sad, and then angry and back to horny again. I want to be thoroughly taken by Anthony. Fuck it—I’m calling him Blade. I don’t need that type of intimacy with him.
“Well, we’ll never deal with it because he keeps his distance.” I can’t get rid of one guy, and the one I want doesn’t want me.
“I’m sorry. I won’t bring him up or around again.”
“Good. Do I look okay?” I ask, giving a quick twirl.
“Yep. You can’t even tell you were crying.”
“Great. I have a party to enjoy.”
Stepping out of the bathroom with my head held high, I see Jackson waiting. “Sorry, girl talk. She’ll be out in a minute.”
“I know. Are you okay?” The sincerity in his voice almost causes me to break, but I stay strong and remember that I’m not to be trifled with.
“Yes. Thank you. I have a birthday to celebrate.” I pat his chest as I walk off to join the party. There’s a crowd of my girls who meet me with a chocolate-covered strawberry. “Your cousin is so gifted and lucky. Her husband is hot as hell.”
“Did you see the guy they brought with him?” The strawberry in my mouth turns to ash as they talk about my Anthony... I mean “Blade.”
“Oh my goodness. He’s super sexy. I wanted to talk to him, but he left in a huff. I’d climb him like a tree.”
“You can’t climb a step, girl. Save that brute for me.”
“He’s got a girlfriend,” I lie after finally forcing the strawberry down my throat, feeling jealous as fuck.
“Too bad, but he’s not married,” Gretchen says. Fucking shit, I’m about to bite her. She’s my least favorite friend, and about a second more and she’s going to be my enemy.
“Excuse me, girls. I need to talk to my uncle.”
“Goodness. Your uncle is a god. Seriously, talk about suddenly having daddy issues.”
“Enough, Gretchen. My uncle is a loving husband and not interested.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a slutty cunt. I know he’s a good man, but what would it be like to have someone so loyal and loving to you?”
“Tell me about it.” I sigh and walk over to my uncle, who I hug.
“Thank you for this party, Uncle.”
“I didn’t.”
“Please. I know you did this. My parents don’t have time for me. You and Aunt have made this a wonderful party.”
“Dance with me,” he offers.
“Sure.” We take to the dance floor to get the party going. He can really move and I’m sure all the tongues are wagging, but I pull my aunt in to replace me while I go stand next to my cousin.
“Your parents are amazing,” I say. I haven’t even seen my parents for hours. They stayed for the first hour to mingle with the guests, and then they had to leave.
“They really are.” She sighs wistfully.
“Can I say I’m super jealous of you, Penny?” I confess.
She shoots one brow up and opens her mouth. “I never thought I’d hear the day that someone said that.”
“Please. Those bitches in school were mean because they were jealous. You’re an amazing woman with a heart of gold, a talent to make mouthwatering treats, and a handsome, loving husband that reminds me of your father.”
“I suppose I have it great. Don’t give up hope that happiness will find you.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and press my head on her arm. “Thanks.”
Every once in a while, I turn to the front door, wondering if Blade is going to walk in or not. He didn’t, just like I asked him. I tell myself it’s for the best and just relax as I say goodbye to my guests.
My aunt and uncle hired a clean-up crew to do all the work, so I go to bed and let the exhaustion of the day carry me off to sleep.
Chapter Five
Blade
I should have told her the truth. “Jules, I’m madly in love with you, but you don’t want to be with a guy like me for the rest of your life, and that’s all I want.” Would that have made a difference? Confessing my obsession, love, and devotion to her would mean nothing, if not scare her away even more. There’s something about her touch that gave me the slightest hope, but as I tried to find the words without coming off crazy, she made her point. She wanted me gone. Can I stay away now that I’ve had a taste of those sweet lips? That answer is a fucking, “Hell, no,” but what can I do?
I stew in the SUV for another hour until Penny is ready to call it a night. I stare at the house, thinking of going back in there and claiming my woman and forgetting all of the reasons I shouldn’t. A part of me wants to tell Jules that once I have her, I’m never letting her go, but I know that’s unfair. I can’t force her into a life she doesn’t want. Right now, she wants me physically, but Steeleville isn’t like Dallas; it’s quiet, calm, and not full of rich, snooty people who only care about looking great and impressing others with what they have. It’s not to say I’m not wealthy—I’ve built a name for myself and my custom pieces are expensive—but I don’t flash it around like her parents and her friends. I hadn’t missed those girls as I left the house. They were staring at me while I spoke to Jackson. He laughingly joked, “Hey, it looks like you have other prospects.”