Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“It wasn’t rude. It was true. It would suck if the wine was crap, given the price. But, it’s a good wine.”
“Are people always awkward around you?” she wants to know. Jesus, she’s hot, sitting across from me in that dress that makes me wonder what’s under it. When she licks her plump lips, I want to spend the better part of an evening nibbling and kissing them. Polly’s been front and center in all of my sinful fantasies for the last year. “Ryan?”
“Sorry?”
“Do people always say awkward stuff around you? Because of the money? Let’s not beat around the bush about it, because I’m curious, and I don’t want to feel like I’m walking on eggshells here.”
“Always? No. And before I go on, I want it known right here and now that you will not feel the need to walk on eggshells around me. Ever. Say what you want to say. You won’t offend me, Polly. We’ve known each other for a long time. You’re my best friend’s sister. There’s no need to feel self-conscious about anything.”
“Thank you,” she says with a smile. “I agree. That’s why I asked. So, people aren’t weird?”
“I didn’t say that.” I laugh as the server sets the appetizer on the table and refills our wineglasses. “My family and the people who have known me for years have never treated me differently. I have issues that I need to work through with Remington, but that doesn’t really have anything to do with money.”
I sip my wine, thinking it over.
“Mostly, people think they can get something for free from me. Family? Yes, absolutely. Gifts are my love language, so I like to give. But those who don’t know me, don’t care to know me, and just want a piece of the pie? Fuck that. They’re either fired or cut off immediately.”
“Does that include women?” She raises an eyebrow and sips her wine. “I’ve seen the articles and photos of you on red carpets, along with the women on your arm.”
“Including women,” I confirm, watching her. “My circle is small, and I like it that way. Sure, sometimes things are said because people get nervous. You didn’t say what you did out of nerves.”
“No, I just don’t have a filter.”
“Exactly, and that’s the way I like it. Does it make you uncomfortable? The wealth?”
She doesn’t immediately deny it, and I have to admit that I respect that. She takes a moment, looking out at the mountains, sipping her wine, and then turns those stunning green eyes back to me.
“Uncomfortable? No. I wouldn’t say that. I want to make it clear that I’m not on this date with you because of the balance in your checking account. Or whatever accounts billionaires use.”
I chuckle at that and stay quiet, letting her speak.
“I’m here because I like you.” She shrugs a shoulder and reaches for a piece of pastry with cheese that smells delicious. “And because the sex was off the charts.”
I choke on the wine I just sipped, and she grins across from me.
“And now I’m here because of this cheese,” she continues, frowning at the piece in her fingers. “Holy Jesus and the apostles, this is incredible. Now, you tell me why you’re here.”
“Because staying away from you isn’t an option.”
She stops chewing, and her eyes find mine as she licks her lips.
“Life got busy after the wedding and our incredible fucking night together.” I fiddle with the end of a knife on the table, still watching her. “I have Jake, and for a while, he needed my full and undivided attention. So, he got it.”
“As he should,” she agrees, and I can see by the look on her face that she means every word. It only makes me like her more. “He deserves that.”
“Yes, he does. But we’re doing well now, and I can’t stop thinking about you. That’s why I’m here.”
“That’s a good answer.” She gestures to the appetizer. “Eat some of this so I don’t inhale it all, please.”
I want to inhale her. To take her home and lose myself in her. To reacquaint myself with every curve of her body.
But I’ll settle for this for now.
“Now I have another question,” she says, eyeing me with those gorgeous emerald eyes as she munches on the appetizer.
“Shoot. I’m an open book.”
“Tell me more about this major security situation you had.”
I frown down at the table, the delicious food now tasting like cardboard in my mouth. Suddenly, she reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers, squeezing it. I look up into her eyes, and frankly, I’d tell this woman anything she wants to know.
“Was it really bad?” Her voice is soft, not full of pity, but understanding.
I swallow hard and turn my hand palm up so I can grip hers in return.
“Yeah, it was really bad.” I suddenly have a frog in my throat, so I clear it. “I told you about the kidnapping attempt in New York.”