Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
I have this sense that he needs to ground his emotions, so I decide to help him do that in a literal way. I sit down and grab his hand urging him to join me, relieved when he does so with no hesitation. He not only sits next to me, he sits close, both of our knees in front of us, our hips all but touching. Seconds tick by and I don’t push him. “I didn’t care,” he says without looking at me. “I meant what I said to him. He should have treated her right. He should have pleased her. And it was easier to take that stance because he and I were rivals after a contract.”
I take this in, weighing his words and his mood. I decide that he’s not trying to make me hate him. That’s not what this is. I’m just not sure where he’s headed but I think he needs me to understand. I want to understand. “What are you trying to say, Reid?”
He looks at me then, and even in the shadows, I can see the torment in his eyes. “That letter my mother wrote my sister. The pain she felt over my father’s infidelities was deep.”
“I know that letter changed you. I feel that every time you talk about it.”
“I didn’t know I was fucking Elijah’s wife, but I dug that knife deeper, and now he’s coming for West Enterprises. You need to know that I told Royce to find a way to back him off, something I can use against him.”
“To ruin him?”
“I won’t ruin him unless he forces me to ruin him, but I won’t let West Enterprises go down because of a personal vendetta. Too many people lose too much, in too many ways, for that to happen, you included.”
This is that part of his job that he does well, that I fear that I can’t stomach. “A lot of people would lose a lot of money.”
“Yes. They would and I—we—have a responsibility to protect them. I could have handled this without telling you, but—”
“I’m glad you told me,” I say, taking his hand. “I needed to know. I told you, I can handle the truth, even when it’s bitter to swallow. I just have to know.”
“That statement you made earlier is why I’m telling you.” He reaches up and strokes the hair from my eyes. “I didn’t want you to know about Elijah. I have never cared what anyone thinks of my actions, or how they judge me, but I do with you. And I have never shared my decisions and explained myself to anyone but you, Carrie.”
“Why me, Reid?” I ask, not sure I’ve ever needed the answer to a question more.
“Why isn’t the question I’ve asked. How is the question.” His hand cups my face. “How did you do this to me?”
“How did I do what?”
“Become the one obsession I can’t beat.” He doesn’t give me a chance to reply or even process a reaction. He kisses me and takes me down on the sand with him.
Chapter forty-three
Carrie
Reid’s lips part mine, and we’re now lying in the sand, our bodies aligned, his leg hooked over one of mine. “How, Carrie?”
“I could ask you the same.”
“You’re obsessed with me?” he asks, caressing my cheek.
“Depends on how you define obsessed.”
“I can’t wake up and not think of you. I can’t go to bed and not think of you. I wanted to tell you about my settlement. You’re in my head, Carrie. I don’t even want to get you out anymore.”
“You couldn’t if you wanted to,” I tease, but there is a twist in my gut as I add, “Because we have Grayson to close and a board to satisfy.” I hate this convenient side of our relationship when that should be exactly what I revel in. It represents the freedom to live in the moment, to avoid emotional investment, and yet, I haven’t. It’s too late for that kind of thinking. I’m invested in all ways with Reid, and I roll to my back before he reads that in me.
Or I try to, but he doesn’t allow my escape.
He rolls with me, his leg still between mine, those blue eyes are staring down at me. “What just happened?”
“Nothing happened.”
“You think this is all about the company. That we’re here and now and gone when this is over.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“It’s not about any of those things,” he says. “I told you, Carrie. I don’t want to share you. I’m obsessed with you and it’s not the kind of obsession that goes away. You’re with me now. I’m with you now. Say it.”
“Reid—”
He kisses me, a silky caress of his tongue before he orders, “Say it.”
I’m in deep with this man, so very deep because I do it. I say it. “I’m with you now and you’re with me.”