Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Rage instantly consumes me. With heat lingering on the back of my neck, it takes everything in me not to throw the fucking phone. I glance up at the mirror before reading it one more time, adrenaline surging through my veins.
The number might be blocked, but I’ve been down this road before and know exactly who it’s from. That son of a bitch has the balls to send me this?
He makes it sound like we’re old buddies talking smack about a woman who’s passed around the friend group like a party favor. He’s reminding me that he had Raven first. He’s putting her down, likely the way he did when they were together, either aloud or in his mind.
He’s working an angle to get back at me, I realize.
He’s playing the same game I am.
After all, I took Raven to the event to get under Evan’s skin and was expecting a counterpunch, especially after his father saw us looking like the aftermath of a porn film. It seems my plan to irritate Evan by shoving Raven under his nose worked… maybe a bit too well. Especially if he’s still ruminating on it days later to the point of resorting to frat boy name-calling and veiled threats.
So if my plan worked, why do I feel like shit?
I think back to Friday. I enjoyed spending time with Raven, which is not to be overlooked because fun at a dry charity event is nearly an impossibility, and she was able to meet some heavy hitters. I hope those connections hold steady in the wake of whatever rumors might be swirling as word spread of our actions, but that’s out of my control for the moment. And the sex was phenomenal. Her responsiveness, her complete surrender to pleasure, and her beautiful body have permeated my dreams all week.
But then there was the after—when we were spotted, when she wouldn’t meet my eyes, when she left.
She did respond to my invitation for dinner, though, I remind myself. That’s a good sign.
Unease churns in my stomach. It was my game, and I set up all the pieces on the board, but I feel like I might be the one getting played. By Raven? I don’t think so. By Evan? Perhaps. By my own weakness for Raven? Unwilling to admit the hold she has on me, I don’t answer myself, not even in my mind.
I glance at the words on my phone once again, reading and then deleting them. I don’t want that ugliness on my device where someone else might see it.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, composing myself. A wounded part of me from the past is elated that Evan knows exactly what Raven and I did, and there’s a sick sense of triumph in knowing that it pissed him off. The more mature part of me worries about the ‘dealt with it’ part of his message. As much as I hate to admit it, he does hold some sway in the district with his family’s power. Does he mean that? Or is he referring to something he did Friday? Maybe something that had Raven riled up and ready to hop on my dick with a sudden urgency she hadn’t shown all evening.
Fuck. I should’ve asked what happened when I stepped away. But I was too desperate for her. Regret churns in my stomach. Not for fucking her, but for not considering why she might want to fuck me. I narrow my eyes, staring into my own hard gaze as I mentally chastise myself.
Quickly, I text Raven.
Still on for dinner?
A moment later, her reply begins. I’m looking forward to it.
Me too. I want you to know, I don’t regret a single minute of what happened.
I hit Send before I can doubt my words, because there’s more honesty to them than I normally show. Raven’s silent for a long time, and I wonder if I’ve been too forward when she replies, Me too… mostly. I wish I’d accepted your ride home.
It makes me smile. That won’t be a problem this time, Miss Hill.
Her reply is much faster this time. Then I’m eagerly waiting for the details, Mr. Sharpe. See you at dinner.
I sigh in relief, slipping my phone into my pocket. Head clear of the lovely distraction of Raven, I mentally return to the other thing I need to deal with.
I go back to the conference room, where Geno and Denise are in deep discussion. “I trust you’ve had enough time to consider my proposal and are ready to sign,” I comment, coming back around the table to push the contract their way.
“My father has one request,” Denise says when Geno hems and haws for a moment. “A namesake.”
“Namesake?” I ask, and Denise nods. “How so?”
“The minerals we mine,” she says, “the copper, the silver, the lithium and palladium, goes into the technology that keeps the world running. We’re quite proud of the fact that the copper for the wires that bring electricity throughout our home state are mined in our mines.”