Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 154728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Though there were a lot of things I could’ve said to my friend at this moment, some of them good, some of them bad, and some of them far too honest, I simply sipped my drink and let her change the subject.
Her words settled at the base of my spine, though, along with an overwhelming sense of dread.
You could hear the music from the street.
Not something that surprised me since I didn’t think Kane did quiet, understated parties.
The brownstone was filled with people, throngs of them, all drinking, laughing. All in different types of clothing. Some were dressed in cocktail attire, dresses, heels, suits and open collars. Most were on the more casual side, which is what I’d erred to.
Deep brown slacks, some trendy tennis shoes that Kiera had given me that I liked, but once I found out the price, I decided that they would be my one and only pair.
Deep brown tee, a similar color to the pants but not exact. That’s what my off-duty wardrobe was—shades of monochrome, easy clothes I didn’t have to think much about and would work if I was forced to attend something to promote the restaurant. If it were something fancier, I’d swap the shoes out for low-heeled pumps and the tee out for a blouse.
I didn’t look out of place exactly, but I did have a moment when I thought back to the photos I’d seen of Kane when I googled him. The kind of women he was photographed with. Slim, perfectly put together, expensive clothes, shoes, showing a lot of skin, sky-high heels. He would be better suited with someone like Kiera who was all of those things.
“Fucking finally!” Hearing the familiar voice, my entire body simultaneously relaxed and tensed in anticipation. Before I could blink, I was hauled into a warm, hard body, and a mouth was slammed onto mine.
Despite the crowd, the doubts and fears swirling in my stomach, I kissed Kane back. Enthusiastically. So enthusiastically that more than one onlooker whistled, and I knew one of the whistlers was Kiera.
“You’re late, Chef,” Kane murmured against my mouth, acting as if he didn’t have an entire audience, as if we were in the room alone.
His eyes only saw me.
And it made me feel like the little girl I’d never been. The little girl my sister had been, a romantic, dreaming of the man who would look at her like she was the only person in the room.
He leaned in to brush his lips against my ear. “Can’t wait to get inside that pussy.”
My body twitched in anticipation.
Okay, so not exactly what my romantic little sister would’ve imagined her white knight saying.
But that was good.
I didn’t want a white knight.
“Kiera,” Kane addressed my best friend, who was grinning at him despite the wariness she obviously felt. He slung his arm casually, possessively around my shoulders.
“You look lovely,” he said, paying my friend the compliment she deserved.
She’d gone … less casual than me.
Her cropped bob was curled in messy beach waves, her makeup was sultry. The neckline of her sequined dress was plunging, showing off her ample assets. Kane’s eyes stayed at her false lash-framed irises.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” she replied.
He smiled cheekily. “I try.”
“Like your ass in these pants.” His hand lazily went down my back. “We’ll have to make sure you have them in every color.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “I already do.”
“Perfect,” he licked his lips then looked to Kiera. “We have drinks, food, celebrities and many men who would hit on you … with your consent, of course. You think you’ll be okay on your own? I just must take Chef to the bathroom and have my way with her.”
My cheeks flamed, and I really wanted to be embarrassed, but I wanted him to do that too. Just as he’d appraised my outfit, I’d done the same to him.
He was wearing an Unquiet Mind band tee, his inky hair was long and wild, drooping over his left eyebrow. His dark jeans and Dr. Martens accentuated his strong legs and perfect backside. The black polish on his fingernails had chipped, and a handful of silver rings adorned his long fingers.
He looked like Kane. Attractive, edgy, hot.
Kiera’s eyes alighted with glee. “Of course, bang away.” She waved her hand. “I’m in my element here.”
Before I could say anything, Kane whisked me away, back through the throngs of people, nodding and greeting various people who acknowledged him but not stopping for anyone. Not until we’d gone through the rooms to a bathroom that was on the other side of the brownstone. Not the main one guests were using, but there were people milling around. It wasn’t exactly private.
Which was what got my heartbeat thumping.
Just before we could get to the bathroom, a man stepped in front of us.
He was one of the fewer people wearing a suit. No tie, though. Grey, expensive by the look of it, pale-pink dress shirt unbuttoned to show a tan and hairless chest.