Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I should finish my drink and get out of here. I need to head back to my apartment and take stock of the damage. I have a feeling Lucas stole more than my money.
But I can’t bring myself to leave. Not with Finn sitting so close.
“I probably should call the police,” I say, shaking my head. “That’s what a normal, rational person would do, right? But I bet he’s already halfway to Mexico.”
“Cops won’t do shit,” Finn says. His knee presses against mine and he gestures the bartender to get me another drink. “You might be able to see if your bank will cover you. Call it theft or something, but it’ll be tough to prove.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do.” I accept the second drink, sipping it slowly, feeling pleasantly tipsy. “I feel like my life’s ending.”
“I know what you mean. I feel like I’m walking to my own funeral tomorrow.”
“Getting engaged to this girl is that bad?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Imagine being told you have to spend your entire life with a stranger. Even if she ends up being okay, imagine having no control over your own choices. Try to picture how that might feel.”
I try and definitely don’t like it. “Fair point. But what kind of family do you have, if this is something you need to do?”
“A complicated one.” He doesn’t seem forthcoming so I don’t push him on the non-answer. “Truth is, what I want has always been secondary to what the family wants. Most of the time that’s okay. That’s how things work. But in this instance, I wish I had more of a say in my own life.” He grunts, smiling slight to himself. “I never talk about my life like this, you know. I must be very fucking low if I’m spilling my guts to a stranger.”
“Girlfriend,” I remind him. “I’m sorry. I really am. If it helps, I feel like my life’s ending too. I mean, I’m pretty sure Johnnie’s going to fire me tomorrow, and I really can’t afford to lose this job right now.”
Finn grunts, throws back his drink, and puts the glass down. He shifts to face me, takes one of my hands in both of his, and stares me in the eye.
I sit there, staring back. Not sure what to say, heart racing, mouth watering. God, this man really is handsome. Gorgeous, actually, absurdly so. Perfect eyes, perfect lips. A growling voice, strong arms and hands. Whoever he’s going to marry, she’s a lucky woman.
Normally, he wouldn’t be my type. A guy like this is nice to look at, but probably more trouble than he’s worth.
But my normal type just stole all my money, so maybe I have bad taste.
“Since both of our lives are ending, how about this?” His voice sounds like velvet as he leans closer. I try not to breathe, try not to think, as his words wrap around my brain like silk. “There’s a hotel two blocks over. I’ve stayed there before. I’ll rent their most ludicrously expensive room, and we’ll spend one last night before we’re forced to face reality tomorrow morning. No strings attached. No past, no future. Just tonight. Just you and me. Just as boyfriend and girlfriend for a few hours.”
My heart’s going insane. Sweat beads my back. I want to fan myself. The way he’s looking at me is laced with pure lust and desire.
I’ve never done this before. I met Lucas in college freshman year and we’ve been dating ever since. I thought he was the one and only.
Until he ripped out my heart and stole all my money.
Now, all I have is Finn. My fake boyfriend for one evening.
I should tell him no, go back to my apartment, and start getting my resume together.
Instead, I chew my lip, and slowly nod.
Looks like I really have gone totally insane.
“Just one night,” I say. “I can be your girlfriend for just one night.”
His eyes seem to sharpen and he licks his lips. He likes that. I can tell he likes it very much.
“Come on, girlfriend. If all we have is one night, I want to savor every single second I can.”
Chapter 3
Dara
Finn takes me from the bar, his hand wrapped around my waist protectively, and leads me to a nearby hotel as promised. It’s called The Newcastle, a sleek and modern structure tucked between two office buildings with gleaming marble floors, smiling, beautiful staff members, and the sort of prices I couldn’t afford even when I had money.
“Your room is ready, Mr. Crowley.” The front desk girl beams at him like she’d love to throw her ovaries at him.
But Finn doesn’t notice. “Thank you.” He accepts the room keys. We ride the elevator together, Finn looking at me like he’s mentally undressing me already, until we arrive at the top floor.