Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
I wouldn’t give Caroline the satisfaction of leaving with my tail tucked between my legs, therefore, I hung around a little longer, watching from the periphery of the room.
I spotted Shay on the other side of the room––it was impossible to miss her. She was the embodiment of a 1950’s Hollywood starlette, wearing a white, strapless gown that hugged every exaggerated curve on her body and ended with a fishtail. Add to that the red lips, nails, and Veronica Lake waves in her hair, and she made one stunning bombshell. As soon as she saw me skirting the edge of the room, she came over.
Placing her hands on her hips, she said, “You look like you need to get wasted.” A bark of laughter erupted out of me. “That bad, huh?”
“It was pretty bad,” I agreed.
A frown marring her gorgeous features, she sidled up next to me, the two of us enjoying the theatrics taking place in the massive ballroom. “I’d regularly start you off with mixed drinks, but this looks like a straight up tequila night to me.”
“Caroline Pruitt is hanging all over him. I’m afraid she may try to crawl onto his back and beg for a piggy back ride soon.”
“I can’t stand that bitch. Did I tell you that she sent me for coffee the first time we met?”
“No.” I bit my bottom lip, schooling my amusement. Knowing how proud Shay was, I could imagine her reaction.
“I’m the executive vice president of the bank and she asked me for coffee––not the twenty year old male intern standing next to me. That woman could single-handedly set back the women’s movement fifty years.”
“Doesn’t seem to bother my husband.” In the middle of the crowded room, Sebastian was doing a great impression of a marble statue while Caroline perched on him like a filthy pigeon. I had just cause to be snide.
“It bother’s him, but that bitch happens to be worth two billis so eat shit from her, we both will.”
My eyes were as wide as saucers. “Two billion?”
“Yup.”
Across the room, I spotted Gideon staring at us. He gave me a quick nod in greeting and I smiled back. “There’s a very handsome and very mysterious man watching you from across the room,” I murmured suggestively.
Shay’s gaze scanned the crowd until it landed on Gideon. A small smile lifted the corners of her painted red lips. “You mean my date?”
It was my turn to smile. “I thought you guys hated each other?”
“I was so sick of coming to these things by myself…besides, he’s the only man that doesn’t run away when I shout at him, like the only one…seriously.” I was laughing so hard tears spilled down my cheeks. “Now are you going to come get a drink with me, or are you going to continue to lurk in dark corners like some pale, goth heroine in a Tim Burton movie?”
“I’ll have you know I’m skulking, not lurking,” I replied, fighting the smile stretched across my face.
“Suit yourself. Send up a flare if you change your mind.” With that, she smacked a kiss on my cheek and wiped the lipstick off with her thumb before she walked away.
At some point during the concert, which followed shortly afterwards, I decided to make a trip to the ladies room. The long, carpeted corridor was empty, everybody in their seats––who could blame them when Sting was performing.
“Vera.” The raspy voice softly calling me reached inside and warmed the chill residing near my heart. Relief. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief sweep over me. In gratitude, I reached up to rub the diamond cross sitting on my sternum. I waited for him to catch up to me before I turned. He looked conflicted, struggling with words and feelings. “Where are you going?”
“Back to the flat. I was just on my way to the ladies room before I…” My voice faded as we stared into each other’s eyes. Accusations, heartache, broken promises––it was all there. Then again, so was mercy. “I’ve seen enough,” I quietly finished, holding his gaze, challenging him to take a single step forward and I would come the rest of the way.
It happened all at once. He grabbed my face with both hands. The kiss was a wild thing, full of passion and desire, anger and love. So much love. I grabbed a hold of his wrists and kissed him back as fervently as he kissed me. Our hands were everywhere, sliding around each other, pulling the other one closer…this undeniable thing between us, drawing us together in pleasure and in pain.
“Vera?”
Oh no, no, no, no, my mind screamed. Sebastian pulled away, his eyes narrowing at the man standing a few paces behind me. I looked over my shoulder and found Yannick looking a bit guilty. To anyone else, he would’ve appeared aloof and disinterested.