Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 59044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Julian’s door was closed, and I could hear the swish of fabric as he, I imagined, got dressed.
“Come on, baby,” I cooed at Hugh, squatting down to scoop him up as I rushed through the common area of the penthouse.
It looked like breakfast was set up for me already.
And there were remnants of food in Hugh’s bowl.
“Let’s go,” I said, kissing Hugh’s head, then rushed out of the penthouse before Julian could even think of catching up to me.
My heart was skittering in my chest as I power-walked through the lobby.
It wasn’t until I stepped out of the front doors that I paused.
Not because I was having second thoughts.
But because there, around the sidewalk were pink rose petals. They’d been kicked into tree niches and brushed up against the wall of the building by wind and foot traffic, but I had no doubt that someone had spread them there.
For me.
I hadn’t checked my socials thoroughly yet.
I would bet that there were dozens of comments and messages again
My dove.
“Scarlet!” a voice yelled from somewhere behind me.
I didn’t turn around.
I wouldn’t waste a second.
I needed to get away.
I needed a fucking hour to myself.
To think.
To build up the armor I was going to need to deal with him.
Because the commanding sound of his voice had me almost wanting to… drop to my knees again.
And what the fuck was that about?
I stepped off of the curb.
I didn’t even have to raise an arm before a cab was slowing.
I wrenched open the door, slid in, then slammed it.
“Drive,” I demanded.
Only then did I dare let myself look.
Julian was on the sidewalk, his dark hair wet, looking good in a dark gray suit.
But the look in his eyes?
Damn near murderous.
I could deal with that later.
Once I had some time to prepare.
I dropped Hugh off at the luxury puppy daycare he loved, getting to play with a bunch of other spoiled small breed pups belonging to the upper echelon.
Then I took myself to my usual spa, treating myself to every treatment I could think of from a deep conditioning treatment, facial, pedicure, and mud bath to a stone and deep tissue massage, just making sure my towel stayed securely around my waist, so no one saw the evidence of what I’d let happen the night before.
Hours passed before I made my way back out of the spa, feeling a little more clear-headed for being able to sit in silence and work through my conflicting thoughts.
I still couldn’t exactly wrap my head around why I’d done exactly as he’d demanded of me. Yes, I’d been drinking. But I’d never been so drunk that someone could make me do something that some part of me didn’t want to do.
Maybe I could just chalk it up to my never-ending pursuit of new adventures.
And getting punished by a man I barely even know was definitely… new.
I reached for my phone, scrolling through my contacts for someone I know would jump at a moment’s notice, and having them meet me for a shopping trip then long, lingering dinner.
After that, with no choice but to pick up Hugh, I had to finally take myself home.
“There you are, Miss Chandelier,” Henry greeted me with his usual smile. “I have a note here for you,” he said, reaching into his breast pocket to produce it.
“Thank you,” I said, faking a smile even as my stomach plummeted at the two words on the white envelope.
I carried it with me to the elevator.
I don’t know what had me sliding my finger under the seal. I never read the notes.
It was probably just the lingering nerves I was feeling about facing Julian again, and wanting a distraction.
I figured it would be more of the usual shit I always found on my socials. Love words and praise.
But this note had taken a slightly… darker turn.
You need to stop ignoring me. We are meant to be together. Don’t make me show you how much.
I tore the paper in half. Then half again. Over and over until the doors opened, and I could fling the little paper shards into the trash chute.
I was so distracted by what felt like a dark threat in that note to remember the concerns that had been on my mind all day.
Until the penthouse door closed behind me.
And I’d walked several feet inward.
Before coming to an abrupt stop.
Because Julian was standing there.
With that same furious look in his eyes as earlier.
It should have been terrifying.
Yet there was that little belly shiver once again.
Hugh made a beeline for his dinner bowl that had been set out.
I didn’t move.
I didn’t even blink.
“Take off your clothes,” Julian demanded, tone low, full of dark promise.
“Wh—“
“Take off your fucking clothes, or I will do it for you.”
“Who do you thi—“
I didn’t get to finish that word before he was stalking forward, before his hands reached out and grabbed my belt, yanking the clasp free, then whipping it out of my pant loops.