Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
The man turns, and I jolt, stumbling back, reaching out for something to grab to keep my balance.
“Hello, little one.”
“Jack?” He steps forward and the light wraps around him making his face and body clear.
“We meet again.”
I sense a hint of contrition in his tone. But I'm suddenly awash with memories of when he left me alone, half naked. My chin tilts up in defiance.
“I don’t understand. Is this a game? Because I don’t like games. Not ones I didn’t even know I was playing.”
His gorgeous lips curve into a tight smile and his eyes crinkle up at the corners. “Not a game, dear one. A big misunderstanding, for which I’m responsible and I am truly sorry.”
“You humiliated me. And, what are you even doing here anyway? I work here. Are you following me? Who’s office is this? You have friends in high places I’m sure.”
“I am sorry, Chastity. It’s complicated, but you need to know I was wrong to leave the other night. I’ve not been able to stop thinking about you.”
“I’m not a simpleton. I can understand complicated things.” I grit my teeth so hard my eardrums hurt. “I’m going back to work.”
“No, you’re not. You’re not going to walk out, Chastity. I won’t allow it.”
His commanding tone sends a shiver through me. I am suddenly aware of the charge in the atmosphere. I feel vulnerable and protected, even through my anger.
But I’m not letting him off the hook. I turn around and meet his gaze, crossing my arms. “You won’t allow it? Why not? You did it to me. Walked out.”
“I did,” he admits, running his hand down his beard, and I get the feeling he doesn’t admit his mistakes easily. “It will never happen again. Those phone calls, the ones I got when I was with you.” He shakes his head as he steps forward, his long index finger trailing down the front of my hair, then twirling it at the end as I twist my head pulling it away. “I ask for your forgiveness. I have a lot of things happening in my life. People pulling on me from every direction. Good and bad. I fucked up. I will never walk out on you again, Chastity. I am a man of my word, you can count on that.”
I step back, but his hands take hold of my hair at my nape, pinning me in place. I remember how in the middle of the bar he helped that waiter. How he did the right thing when no one was looking…
“You say that, but how do I know? I don’t know anything about you. Not really. And it’s been two days. You’ve had plenty of time to come back, leave me a note…something.”
“Again, I was wrong but let me try to make it right. I want us to be right. My name is Jackson Carter. I’m the majority, if silent, owner of Westwood Inc. It’s one of many other companies in my portfolio.”
“That doesn’t tell me much.” It’s true but does explain why he has an office in this building. I drop my arms, biting into my bottom lip. He looks distressed.
Good.
“I’ll tell you anything. What do you want to know right now…?”
“I want to know why you left me like you did. It was humiliating.”
“Like I said, I had a moment of insanity. Things happening, things that have happened…I don’t trust people, Chastity. And I fucked up bad. I thought for a moment you were someone else. That you had a hidden agenda. But, I got my head out of my ass and I’ll do whatever it takes for you to forgive me. Give me another chance.”
I swallow, searching his face. Confidence bursts inside of me from the desire and truth I see, so I press on. “You look angry.” I lift my index finger and point to his eyes. “I can see it.”
“Right now, I’m making me angry. I’m angry because I hurt you. The only thing I want to do is make it right.”
“How are you going to do that? You like to make all the decisions. Like you did that night. So, you tell me, how are you going to make this right?”
“I’m going to show you that you can trust me, but I know it will take time. And yes, I decide, baby girl. I like to be in control. I decide what’s good for you, good for us and you’ll do as you are told, do you understand?”
A shiver traverses my spine. I feel lightheaded surprising myself when I nod.
“That’s a good girl. What are you thinking right now?”
“I want you. I was mad, hurt, but for some reason, I still want you. It’s probably stupid, but I want us. I want my…” I hesitate, the shame kicking in again, the doubt.