Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
“I have a couple of investors who eat up the Asian markets that I trust completely and they represent big money. Because of my work with them, I’ve invested an exceptional amount of time into the understanding of the regulations there and enlisted a variety of insiders to aid my efforts. I can protect us, but then I need you. We need a project that entices them and Grayson.”
I hesitate and he notices.
“What?” he asks, pushing his food aside.
“This is an unconventional investment to pair with a law firm and it’s really not an option anyway.”
“Carrie,” he prods.
I sigh. “Okay. Right before the takeover, I was emailed a lead about the investors in a major event center—as in sports, concerts, you name it are held there—wanting out.”
“And?”
“And I dismissed because a) timing, we were in trouble. B) Asia is tricky and in light of the trouble, that seemed bad at the time, and c) the lead came from my brother who only told me because he wants some sort of payout for finding the deal. And neither one of us has a high opinion of my brother.”
“He wants to make money. We’ll make sure it makes money together.”
“Then you like the idea?” I query.
“It’s an option,” he says. “It’s thinking out of the box.”
“It’s not a for sure thing though,” I remind him, “and we have to present to Grayson next week,”
“Be honest with him,” he says. “He knows the short timeline. I might bite when I need to bite, but I play devious where devious is needed, but I do that with people who deserve it. Grayson is an honest man. He’s hard. He’s demanding. He will cut you if you cut him, but he won’t cut you just to cut you. He’ll appreciate that you don’t fluff it up.”
“But if I work this, I may not have time to come up with something else.”
“Then don’t,” he says. “Just give him an idea of how you think. He can decide if he wants to be on board with that or not. And he will.”
“You don’t know that.”
Reid leans forward. “You won me over and believe me, baby, I didn’t want to be won over. You’ll win him over, too. But leave out the cuffs. Those are for me, right along with the emerald dress, I’m not going to get to see this weekend after all. Just another reason to bring you back here next weekend.”
“Next weekend?”
“You have a problem with that?” he challenges.
“No,” I say. “I don’t think I do. Are you going to be an asshole and change my mind between now and then?”
“Let’s make a bet. If it’s no more than three times, I get to cuff you next weekend.”
“And if it’s more than three times, I just don’t come with you next weekend?” I challenge.
“In which case, I’ll have to cuff you to my bed and make you come so many times that you can’t help but forgive me.”
Heat pools low in my belly at the many ways he could do just that, but I stay focused on the conversation at hand. “You’re obsessed with cuffing me and I think I know why.”
“Do you want to tell me why?” he asks, leaning closer, his hand sliding up my leg under the tablecloth.
I catch his hand. “You don’t like me one-upping you. It feels unbalanced.”
“More like I owe you.”
“You want to taunt me like I did you?”
“No, I want to finish you like you didn’t me, but that doesn’t mean be finished you. No, Carrie. I’m not going to ever be finished with you. I told you. It's you who will walk away." He releases my leg and leans back.
We’re back to planning for me to hate him again and it’s getting to me in a big way. I’m suddenly angry and attacked by emotions I can’t name and don’t want to feel. Not after what he just said. I toss down my napkin and stand up. “I’m going to the bathroom.” I don’t look at him or wait for a reply.
I start walking and enter the restaurant with its beach-style low ceiling, and boat-like structure, a waiter directs me to a hallway behind the wooden bar. I can’t get there quick enough. The tiny walkway, the seclusion of it, is relief that is ironic considering I feel as if I’m suffocating in all that is Reid Maxwell. I pass a turn down another hallway when suddenly, Reid is with me, pulling me into it, pressing me against the wall. His big body crowds mine, legs caging my legs.
“What just happened?” he demands, his hands coming down on the wall next to mine.
“You just had asshole moment number one,” I bite out, all the emotions I can’t name, or won’t name, spewing right from my mouth. “You said we were done with the doom and gloom. And yet, what do you do? You say things like you did just now at the table that infer that it’s inevitable that I hate you. I can’t keep doing whatever this is if that’s where you are driving us.”