Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“Victor?” Madeline says. “Has your plane been delayed? Where are you?” The hope in Madeline’s voice pales with each question. The years have not been good to us.
“Can't make it, Madeline.” I hold the receiver up to take a deep breath. You’re a wanker, Vic! Every time I bring her pain, I recall the first time Madeline patiently dressed my wounds.
“Haven’t you avoided me long enough? Where’s the brilliant man who made Tudor Enterpr—”
“Come off it, Madeline. My family excels at applying guilt. Reconsider your strategy.”
“How am I making you feel guilty? I’m commending you on your business prowess. Also, with regard to your duchy—if and when you ever come home—you’ve a knack for that. Yet your favor with the Queen allows you to thwart your royal duties and traipse across the world.”
There’s a callous edge to her tone, which has developed over time. I hadn’t quite noticed it before.
After years of associating with me, bitterness twines around her spirit. Fuck, the same occurred when my mother was betrothed to my father. I’ve seen pictures of my mum young and smiling. Chipper like Madeline once was. Now, Princess Mary’s prone to fainting spells at will. She’s the most dramatic of them all
Luxury embodies the same light they had.
I am the byproduct of a womanizing, child beater and a princess blinded by perfection. My parents' cold war created this. I am a powerful businessman and connoisseur of murder. My presence has changed Madeline for the worst. Will it spoil my sweet, Luxury too?
37
VICTOR
Beneath the cover of a full moon, one woman’s crying for me while another begs my acquisition for the remainder of her life. I’m a possessive rake who’s fully aware that you cannot gratify two women. This isn’t my first attempt. In my first and last endeavor, I chose my Queen—at least, that’s what I was told. That I bloody fucking placed Grandmummy on a gilded pedestal as required and not her.
Rewriting history is impossible. “Maddy, I’m sor—”
“Do I not mean anything to you?”
“Maddy, you’re my longest-running mate.” I’ve selected the appropriate title.
Mate. Friend. Bloody confidant. Not a lover, and never will be.
Eons pass, I glimpse the iPhone screen, confirming that Madeline hasn’t hung up. My eyes return to Luxury. She’s out of earshot, totally trusting tonight. The investment discussion we had earlier polished out the tension between us. How long will Luxury assume I’m discussing international business? When will she regard me with the same contempt that I inadvertently taught Maddy?
“Vic,” my friend voices wearily. “Should I ask if your delay has to do with a female?”
“I'll be in England by tomorrow evening.”
“That's great because the newspaper announcement of our predetermined date of marriage is printed, ready to be delivered from Arlington to . . . to the whole world! Albeit, if our archaic proclamation isn’t sufficient, royal tweets, and the—”
“How could I forget?” I bite out. “I’m forever in your debt, Maddy.”
“Oh, no. You’re not indebted to me. I lack the necessary prospects to marry. Probably never—”
“We discussed all angles, Maddy. When you fall in love, a divorce—”
“Hello, Plain Jane Madeline here. All pedigree and no pretty. We’re stuck with each other. I never ever will!”
“Maddy, c’mon, you’re beautiful.”
She erupts in an irritated sigh. “I’ll ignore the lovely lies, Victor. For now, I’ll operate under the guise that something beyond your control caused your absence thus far. Victor, I’ll inform Princess Mary, okay? Let’s salvage this for the Queen, alright?”
Maddy’s made all concessions between us, even accepting our open relationship to pacify me.
“Victor, before the first course is served tomorrow, I will see you?”
Uncertainty prevails, but I’ve lost all focus. I simply can’t take my eyes off Luxury, who has plucked a leaf. Her curvy body twists so her arse spills across the side of a bench. She leans forward, stroking the valley of her tits with the leaf from the sugar maple she pointed out earlier. I imagine replacing the leaf with my cum.
I adjust the erection stiffening in my trousers and give a curt whisper. “You have my word, Maddy, on everything I’ve ever held dear to my heart. You will see me tomorrow.”
I end the call.
I swagger back over as Luxury asks, “Was that an emergency, or is it morning in Guatemala, and you’re arguing—”
“More like morning in the UK.”
“Business problems?”
“Nothing that won’t resolve itself with time.” I grab her inner thigh, and my other hand traces the small of her back. Luxury bows into me. I growl, “Little One, you’re begging me to fuck you in the park, yeah?”
“It’s dark. Nobody is around. Nevertheless, I’m not begging you. I’m ordering you to.” The leaf falls from her fingers as her arms wrap around me. I brush over her panties.
“You could bring an ocean to a desolate man.” I grin, utilizing the silly word Mum selected earlier.