Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Want something?” he asks. “On the house.”
“Already took a shot.”
“Did you?” He looks at me sideways. “You’re not usually much of a drinker.”
“Needed some courage for this.”
“Courage for what?” he croons, leaning closer. “Courage to run away and let your brother die?”
I shift myself, facing him, and straighten my back. The least I can do is cling to whatever dignity I have left.
He looks into my eyes, the handsome bastard, and some of my resolve quavers.
Adler’s going to destroy me.
There’s no doubt in my mind. He’s playing a game at an entirely different level, and if I let him, he’ll drag me around taking what he wants when he wants it, and he’ll toss me aside when he’s done.
I narrow my eyes. Sharpen my focus.
No, that’ll only happen if I roll over and let him.
Because he needs me.
This whole marriage, it’s not a one-way street.
It’s a business arrangement, which means I have power.
I start the negotiations. “When we get divorced, I want ten million, guaranteed, and I want that in writing so you can’t weasel out of it.”
“Five,” he counters. “And I’d never go back on a deal.”
“Eight. I won’t take less. Kill Shane for all I care.”
He shrugs. “Fine. Eight.”
Sweat dribbles down my shoulder blades.
Focus, Casey.
“I won’t stay with you longer than five years. If I don’t get pregnant in that time, it’s your problem.”
“Done. Though we won’t fail for lack of trying. What else?”
I try to ignore the spark of excitement I feel between my legs.
“I’m free to keep working here for as long as I want to,” I say quickly.
He seems surprised by that. “Okay, done.”
I’m not sure how I feel about getting everything I want with very little pushback, but I barrel forward anyway.
“When we’re together, you will remain faithful to me.” I feel myself losing steam as embarrassment wars against my determination. “I don’t want you to make me look stupid.”
“Casey, I will never, ever cheat on you,” he says and for some crazy reason, I believe it.
“I want a nice ring. I want you to give Roxie a raise. I want Shane to walk free.”
“All done. Go ahead, my darling. Take what you want while I’m in a giving mood.”
I rack my brain searching for something else to ask him for. He sips his coffee, looking amused. “No sex,” I say.
“That’s off the table. There will be sex. You will carry my child.”
I don’t love the intense way he says that. I bristle a little, setting my jaw. “Fine, we’ll have sex, but only for reproductive reasons.”
“God, you know how to make me hard. Say reproductive again.”
“Stop it. Deal?”
“Deal.” He holds out his hand.
I stare at him, hesitating. “And if I do have a baby,” I say, my voice very tiny, “I want to be in their life. You won’t just steal them from me.”
His hand doesn’t move. “You will always be the mother of this child, no matter what, and I will put all of this into writing. Do we have a deal?”
I take a long, deep breath, thinking back to my conversation with Shane. He told me to be good, but this isn’t good, this is the total opposite of good.
This is very, very bad.
“Deal,” I say and shake his hand.
He holds tighter than he should and pulls me forward. I’m surprise by his sudden strength as he wraps his other around me—
And presses his lips to mine.
The kiss comes sudden and hot. I’m too shocked to put my walls up, and I kiss him back without thinking.
It’s a good kiss. Oh my god, it’s so good.
His lips are soft, but he kisses with a confidence and a firmness that totally dominates my mouth. He tastes like coffee, but also like mint and straw. His tongue laps against mine, and there’s a hunger in the way he grips me, like he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life.
It’s an amazing kiss. I sink into it, letting myself melt under his man’s touch. I forget all about the Sunrise, about my brother, about my life. I’m disembodied, tumbling into a star.
Adler’s that star, a supernova, a black hole. Explosive and inevitable.
We break apart as suddenly as it started and I’m left totally breathless.
I’m dimly aware of Macy staring, but we’re lucky there’s nobody else around.
“Now it’s official,” Adler says and gets to his feet. “I’ll have Will call ahead. We can leave when you’re ready.”
“Leave? I don’t know what you mean?”
“We’re getting married right now,” he says, glancing at his watch. “I suspect the judge will need about a half hour to prepare. There’s enough time to invite one guest if you’re quick.”
“Guest? Judge?” My head’s a mess of desire and confusion. That kiss really screwed me up. “Are you being serious?”
He spreads his hands. “This is Atlantic City. I own this town. I’ll make a call, and we’ll have our license. Are you ready?”