Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Eli blinked, clearly trying to figure out what the hell to say. Finally, he settled on, “You’re not a dog.”
“I know I’m not a dog. So, answer the fucking question.”
“Three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars,” he said. “That’s the settlement. It earned a little more sitting in the bank. I’m paying him three hundred and forty thousand for the land, the building, and the business.”
“That’s lower than he told me.”
“Well, he was planning to carry the contract for you,” Eli said. “This is cash.”
“I can pay more than that,” I told him. I studied his face, waiting for him to react. I expected anger—like I’d felt when I thought he’d won—or maybe frustration.
What I saw instead was worse. Much, much worse. Sadness, and maybe even a hint of…pity?
No. No fucking way.
“Peaches, he’s not going to sell to you. It’s about more than money.”
The words were physically painful to hear. Another gut punch, almost as bad as when Gus had pulled the rug out from under me the first time.
“Why not?” I demanded.
“You know why.”
“It can’t be that special,” I said, feeling almost anguished.
“What?” he asked, confused.
“Your penis. What the hell is it about having a penis that makes you more qualified to own this place than I am? Because as far as I can tell, that’s the biggest difference between us.”
Eli opened his mouth, then closed it again, seeming at a loss. Someone knocked on the door.
“Gus says it’s time.”
Eli blew out his breath in frustration, then ran his fingers through his hair. That made him look sexier, of course.
Almost like God was giving me the middle finger.
“Go,” I snapped, pushing myself up and off the couch. “Go have your fucking meeting. Just don’t think I’m taking your word for it. If Gus wants to turn down my money, he can do it in person. Oh, and I’ll put myself in my car, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“It’s safer if I walk you out,” Eli said.
To my horror, I felt tears welling in my eyes. Not only that, my nose felt runny. I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it up so I could wipe, flashing Eli in the process.
“Oh, fuck off,” I said, hating myself for crying. Crying always made me feel weak. “You’ve seen my boobs before. I’m going to take a few minutes before I leave. Calm down. I don’t want anyone to see me like this, okay? You owe me that much. I’ll just sneak out the back when I’m ready.”
“All right,” he said, clearly reluctant to leave.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I won’t tell Gus you let me off the leash or make a mess in here. I’m a good dog that way.”
“Peaches—”
“Shut the fuck up, Eli. Just shut the fuck up and leave me alone.”
* * * *
~Eli~
I couldn’t focus for shit on what Gage was trying to tell us.
I kept thinking about Peaches, and how much better she’d tasted than I remembered. Fucking hell… The night we’d almost had together, it’d been amazing. As the years passed, though, there were times when I doubted my memories. Kissing a girl couldn’t feel that good. Not in real life.
Except it did with her.
Peaches and I had always had chemistry. It was probably what kept us at each other’s throats. Although I could think of better uses for her throat. Christ, just the thought was enough to set me off. My jeans tightened, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
Gus tried to catch my eye from across the table, but I ignored him, just like I’d ignored the seat he’d saved for me. I was still processing what Peaches had told me about the money. Well, trying to process it. Hard to think when all your blood kept pooling in your crotch.
I needed to get that girl into bed.
Soon.
Fighting with her was fun, but it wasn’t enough. We needed to fuck. Repeatedly. And that couldn’t happen until we resolved this whole situation.
Gus wouldn’t sell the bar to her, no matter what she offered. I knew that for a fact, and it had fuck-all to do with her being a girl. He owed me in ways she couldn’t begin to understand.
But even if he wanted to take the deal, the club would shoot him down. Her point about not having a dick was valid on that front… The Reapers might respect her—they’d never have settled on her as a compromise after I’d gotten locked up, otherwise—but she’d never be one of them. They’d take my side, even if Gus didn’t.
“Eli?”
I looked up to find everyone staring at me. Shit. Gage must’ve asked a question, and I hadn’t even noticed.
“Sorry,” I told him. “Can you repeat that?”
“I was curious about the paperwork,” he said. “Gus says you’ll be signing things tomorrow. Anything I need to know?”